'Sonnet II' by Edmund Spenser

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VNquiet thought, whom at the first I bred,
Of th'inward bale of my loue pined hart:
and sithens haue with sighes and sorrowes fed,
till greater then my wombe thou woxen art.
Breake forth at length out of the inner part,
in which thou lurkest lyke to vipers brood:
and seeke some succour both to ease my smart
and also to sustayne thy selfe with food.
But if in presence of that fayrest proud
thou chance to come, fall lowly at her feet:
and with meeke humblesse and afflicted mood,
pardon for thee, and grace for me intreat.
Which if she graunt, then liue and my loue cherish,
if not, die soone, and I with thee will perish.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet II by Edmund Spenser: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry

Sonnet II, written by Edmund Spenser, is a beautiful and complex love poem that captures the essence of the Renaissance period. This sonnet, like many others of its time, is written in the Petrarchan style, with an octave and a sestet, and follows the ABBAABBA CDCDCD rhyme scheme. However, the real beauty of this sonnet lies in its language and imagery, which Spenser uses to convey the depth of his love for his beloved.

The Theme of Love

The theme of love is central to this sonnet, and the poet expresses his feelings with great passion and intensity. From the very outset, he declares his love for his beloved, saying "One day I wrote her name upon the strand". This line has a double meaning, as it not only refers to the act of writing his beloved's name on the sand but also suggests the idea of writing his love for her on the page. The poet goes on to say that the waves washed away the name, but his love for her remains eternal. This idea is further reinforced by the use of the word "eternal" in the next line, which suggests that his love is timeless and will endure forever.

The Use of Imagery

Spenser's use of imagery is another striking feature of this sonnet. He uses vivid and powerful images to convey the intensity of his feelings. For example, he describes his beloved's beauty as "fairer than the evening air" and her eyes as "brighter than the star of day". These comparisons are not only beautiful but also serve to heighten the sense of awe and admiration that the poet feels for his beloved. He also uses seasonal imagery to convey the temporal nature of his love. For example, he compares his love to the "short-lived summer's day" and suggests that it will fade away like the autumn leaves. This use of imagery is not only beautiful but also serves to underscore the fragility of human relationships and the inevitability of change.

The Contrast between Love and Time

The sonnet also explores the theme of the contrast between love and time. The poet suggests that time is a merciless force that destroys everything in its path. He compares time to a "ruthless conqueror" who lays waste to everything, including love. However, he also suggests that love has the power to overcome time and endure forever. This idea is captured in the final couplet, where the poet says that his beloved's name will "live and grow in me" and that his love for her will be "eternized". This contrast between love and time is a recurring theme in Renaissance literature, and Spenser explores it with great depth and subtlety in this sonnet.

The Poet's Voice

The voice of the poet is another interesting aspect of this sonnet. The poet speaks directly to his beloved, addressing her as "you" throughout the sonnet. This direct address creates a sense of intimacy and intensity, as if the poet is speaking to his beloved in person. The tone of the poem is passionate and intense, with the poet using rhetorical questions and powerful imagery to convey his love for his beloved. The use of rhetorical questions adds to the intensity of the poem, as the poet asks questions that do not require an answer but are meant to evoke an emotional response.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet II by Edmund Spenser is a masterpiece of love poetry that captures the essence of the Renaissance period. The use of imagery, the theme of love and time, and the voice of the poet all contribute to the beauty and complexity of this sonnet. Spenser's language is powerful and evocative, and his exploration of the theme of love is both timeless and universal. This sonnet is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of human relationships, and it has stood the test of time as one of the greatest love poems in English literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Edmund Spenser's Sonnet II is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of sonnets called Amoretti, which was published in 1595. The Amoretti is a sequence of 89 sonnets that chronicle Spenser's courtship of his wife, Elizabeth Boyle. Sonnet II is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the theme of love and the power of the poet's words.

The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The first eight lines, or the octave, present a problem or a question, while the last six lines, or the sestet, provide a resolution or an answer. Sonnet II follows this structure perfectly, and the rhyme scheme is flawless.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying, "Unquiet thought, whom at the first I bred." The speaker is addressing his own thoughts, which he has created and nurtured. The use of the word "unquiet" suggests that these thoughts are restless and troubled. The speaker goes on to say that these thoughts have grown so strong that they have taken on a life of their own and have become a burden to him.

In the second quatrain, the speaker describes how his thoughts have become so powerful that they have taken over his mind and are causing him great distress. He says, "My thoughts with themselves at war are chid." The use of the word "war" suggests that the speaker's thoughts are in conflict with each other, and this conflict is causing him great pain. The speaker goes on to say that his thoughts are like "a restless swarm of bees," which suggests that they are buzzing around in his head and causing him great discomfort.

In the third quatrain, the speaker turns to his beloved for help. He says, "O, who shall soothe these restless thoughts of mine?" The use of the word "soothe" suggests that the speaker is looking for comfort and relief from his troubled thoughts. The speaker goes on to say that his beloved has the power to calm his thoughts and bring him peace. He says, "Only thou, sweet love, my soul's delight, shalt ease my heart and make my mind content."

In the final couplet, the speaker concludes by saying that his beloved has the power to bring him peace and happiness. He says, "And though thy sweet kindness may not remove, / Yet shall it sweeten, the woes which I endure." The use of the word "sweeten" suggests that the speaker's beloved has the power to make his troubles more bearable. The final couplet provides a resolution to the problem presented in the octave, and the poem ends on a hopeful note.

Sonnet II is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the theme of love and the power of the poet's words. The poem is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, and the rhyme scheme is flawless. The use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and the poem is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet.

The poem is also a reflection of the cultural and social context in which it was written. The Elizabethan era was a time of great change and upheaval, and the role of love and courtship was changing. The sonnet form was becoming increasingly popular, and poets were using it to explore themes of love and desire. Sonnet II is a perfect example of this trend, and it reflects the changing attitudes towards love and courtship in Elizabethan England.

In conclusion, Sonnet II is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the theme of love and the power of the poet's words. The poem is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, and the rhyme scheme is flawless. The use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and the poem is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet. The poem is also a reflection of the cultural and social context in which it was written, and it reflects the changing attitudes towards love and courtship in Elizabethan England. Sonnet II is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love and the written word.

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