'Poem 13' by Edmund Spenser
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Behold whiles she before the altar stands
Hearing the holy priest that to her speakes
And blesseth her with his two happy hands,
How the red roses flush vp in her cheekes,
And the pure snow with goodly vermill stayne,
Like crimsin dyde in grayne,
That euen th'Angels which continually,
About the sacred Altare doe remaine,
Forget their seruice and about her fly,
Ofte peeping in her face that seemes more fayre,
The more they on it stare.
But her sad eyes still fastened on the ground,
Are gouerned with goodly modesty,
That suffers not one looke to glaunce awry,
Which may let in a little thought vnsownd,
Why blush ye loue to giue to me your hand,
The pledge of all our band,
Sing ye sweet Angels Alleluya sing,
That all the woods may answere and your eccho ring.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edmund Spenser's Poetry: A Deeper Look into Poem 13
Edmund Spenser is a renowned poet who lived during the Elizabethan era of English literature. His works have been widely celebrated and studied for centuries, and his unique style and intricate language have left a lasting impact on the world of poetry. One of his most famous works is a collection of sonnets called Amoretti, which tells the story of his courtship and eventual marriage to Elizabeth Boyle. Within this collection lies Poem 13, a sonnet that delves deep into themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the nuances and complexities of this sonnet, and attempt to uncover the hidden meanings and messages that lie within.
Overview of the Sonnet
Before we delve into the intricacies of Poem 13, let's take a moment to examine the structure and form of the sonnet. As with most of Spenser's sonnets, Poem 13 is written in the traditional English sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. Each quatrain follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, while the final couplet follows an AA rhyme scheme. This structure is typical of the Shakespearean sonnet, which Spenser was heavily influenced by.
The sonnet begins with a depiction of the speaker's love for his mistress, whom he refers to as "the world's fresh ornament". He then goes on to lament the inevitable passing of time, stating that "Time's cruel hand" will eventually take away her beauty and youth. The second quatrain continues this theme of loss and decay, as the speaker describes the fading of the seasons and the fleeting nature of life. In the third quatrain, the speaker turns his attention to his own mortality, acknowledging that death will eventually claim him and his beloved. However, he finds solace in the fact that their love will live on beyond their physical bodies, and that they will be reunited in the afterlife. The sonnet ends with a powerful couplet, in which the speaker declares that his love for his mistress is eternal and will never fade, even in the face of death.
Analysis of the Sonnet
At its core, Poem 13 is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker's love for his mistress is juxtaposed against the ever-present threat of time and decay, making the poem both romantic and melancholic. The opening line, "Lo, I the man, whose Muse whilome did mask", sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet, with its archaic language and formal structure. The phrase "whilome did mask" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a past time when the speaker's artistic abilities were more active or celebrated. This could be interpreted as a reference to Spenser's own career as a poet, and his struggles to maintain his creative output in the face of aging and declining health.
The image of the mistress as "the world's fresh ornament" is a common trope in Elizabethan love poetry, but Spenser takes it one step further by comparing her to the "morning star", which was believed to be the brightest and most beautiful celestial body in the sky. This comparison elevates the mistress to a divine status, and emphasizes the speaker's adoration and worship of her. However, this adoration is tempered by the speaker's knowledge that her beauty is fleeting, and that time will eventually rob her of her youthful radiance. This theme of impermanence is echoed throughout the sonnet, as the speaker describes the changing seasons and the inevitability of death.
One of the most powerful images in the sonnet is that of the speaker and his mistress being reunited in the afterlife. The idea that their love will transcend death and continue on in eternity is a common theme in Renaissance literature, and is often associated with the Christian concept of the soul's immortality. The image of the "happy hour" in the final couplet is particularly poignant, as it suggests a moment of blissful reunion and timeless ecstasy. This idea of love transcending death is a reassuring and hopeful message, and one that would have resonated with Spenser's contemporaries, who were often faced with the harsh realities of mortality.
Interpretation of the Sonnet
So what is the ultimate message of Poem 13? Is it a celebration of love in the face of death, or a mournful lament for the fleeting nature of life? The answer, of course, is both. Spenser's sonnet captures the bittersweet reality of love and mortality, and reminds us that even the most beautiful and cherished things in life are subject to the ravages of time. However, it also offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that love can transcend physical limitations and endure beyond death.
One interpretation of the sonnet is that it is a reflection on Spenser's own life and career as a poet. The image of the "morning star" could be seen as a metaphor for Spenser himself, who was once a bright and celebrated figure in Elizabethan literature, but who was now facing declining health and waning popularity. The theme of loss and decay could be seen as a comment on the passing of time, and the inevitability of mortality.
Another interpretation is that the sonnet is a commentary on the role of the artist in society. The phrase "whose Muse whilome did mask" suggests a past time when the speaker's artistic talents were more active, and could be seen as a lament for the diminishing value placed on creative pursuits. The sonnet could be interpreted as a call to recognize the importance of art and creativity in a world that often values material gain and practicality above all else.
Ultimately, the beauty of Poem 13 lies in its ability to evoke a range of emotions and interpretations. Its themes of love, loss, and mortality are timeless and universal, and continue to resonate with readers today. As we read Spenser's sonnet, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with the ones we love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Poem 13 by Edmund Spenser: A Masterpiece of Love and Devotion
Edmund Spenser, one of the greatest poets of the English Renaissance, is known for his epic poem, The Faerie Queene, and his sonnet sequence, Amoretti. However, one of his most beautiful and moving poems is Poetry Poem 13, also known as "One day I wrote her name upon the strand." This sonnet is a masterpiece of love and devotion, expressing the poet's deep feelings for his beloved, Elizabeth Boyle, whom he later married.
The poem begins with a simple and yet powerful image: "One day I wrote her name upon the strand." The speaker is on the beach, perhaps walking alone or with his beloved, and he decides to write her name in the sand. This act of writing her name is a symbol of his love and commitment to her, as well as a way of preserving her memory. The sand, however, is a transient and unstable medium, and the waves will soon wash away the name. This creates a sense of urgency and impermanence, as if the poet is aware of the fleeting nature of life and love.
The second quatrain develops this theme of transience and loss, as the speaker reflects on the fate of all things in the world: "But came the waves and washed it away:/ Again I wrote it with a second hand;/ But came the tide, and made my pains his prey." Here, the waves and the tide are personified as hostile forces that threaten to erase the poet's efforts and mock his love. The repetition of "came" and "wrote" emphasizes the cyclical and futile nature of his attempts to preserve the name, as well as the persistence of his love despite the obstacles.
The third quatrain introduces a new image, that of the sun and the moon, which represent the passing of time and the changing of seasons: "Vain man, said she, that dost in vain assay/ A mortal thing so to immortalize;/ For I myself shall like to this decay,/ And eke my name be wiped out likewise." The beloved speaks to the poet, perhaps in a dream or a vision, and rebukes him for his vain and foolish attempt to immortalize her name. She reminds him that she, like all mortals, is subject to the laws of nature and will eventually die and be forgotten. This is a poignant and humbling moment, as the poet realizes the limits of his power and the inevitability of his loss.
The final couplet, however, offers a glimmer of hope and redemption: "Not so, (quod I) let baser things devise/ To die in dust, but you shall live by fame:/ My verse your virtues rare shall eternize." The speaker responds to his beloved's rebuke with a bold and confident assertion of his poetic power. He declares that his verse will not only preserve her name and memory, but also celebrate her virtues and make her immortal. This is a powerful and romantic gesture, as the poet transforms his love into art and his beloved into a muse.
The structure of the poem, a Shakespearean sonnet, reinforces its themes and emotions. The rhyme scheme, abab cdcd efef gg, creates a sense of symmetry and balance, as well as a sense of closure and resolution in the final couplet. The iambic pentameter, with its ten syllables and five stresses per line, gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, as well as a sense of gravity and seriousness. The enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement, as well as a sense of surprise and suspense.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet rich and evocative. The use of imagery, such as the waves, the sand, the sun, and the moon, creates a vivid and sensual atmosphere, as well as a sense of natural beauty and power. The use of personification, such as the waves and the tide, creates a sense of conflict and drama, as well as a sense of human vulnerability and mortality. The use of dialogue, such as the beloved's rebuke and the poet's response, creates a sense of intimacy and emotion, as well as a sense of intellectual and artistic engagement.
The themes of the poem are universal and timeless, yet also personal and specific. The theme of love and devotion, expressed through the act of writing and the power of poetry, is a classic motif in literature and art. The theme of transience and loss, expressed through the imagery of the waves and the sun, is a fundamental aspect of human experience and philosophy. The theme of redemption and immortality, expressed through the poet's confidence and vision, is a transcendent and inspiring ideal.
In conclusion, Poetry Poem 13 by Edmund Spenser is a masterpiece of love and devotion, expressing the poet's deep feelings for his beloved and his faith in the power of poetry. The poem is a testament to the beauty and fragility of life and love, as well as to the enduring power of art and imagination. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and the mind, and that continues to inspire and move readers and lovers around the world.
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