'Poem 21' by Edmund Spenser

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WHo is the same, which at my window peepes?
Or whose is that faire face, that shines so bright,
Is it not Cinthia, she that neuer sleepes,
But walkes about high heauen al the night?
O fayrest goddesse, do thou not enuy
My loue with me to spy:
For thou likewise didst loue, though now vnthought,
And for a fleece of woll, which priuily,
The Latmian shephard once vnto thee brought,
His pleasures with thee wrought,
Therefore to vs be fauorable now;
And sith of wemens labours thou hast charge,
And generation goodly dost enlarge,
Encline they will t'effect our wishfull vow,
And the chast wombe informe with timely seed,
That may our comfort breed:
Till which we cease our hopefull hap to sing,
Ne let the woods vs answere, nor our Eccho ring.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poem 21 by Edmund Spenser: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Poetry has always been a medium of expressing emotions, feelings, and thoughts. It is through poetry that we can see the world in a different light and understand the complexities of human nature. One such poet who has beautifully portrayed the human psyche through his words is Edmund Spenser. Among his many works, Poem 21 stands out as a masterpiece that delves deep into the nature of love, desire, and beauty. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of Poem 21.

Background of the Poet and the Poem

Edmund Spenser was a prominent English poet of the Elizabethan era, best known for his epic poem, The Faerie Queene. He was born in London in 1552 and went on to become a student at Cambridge University. After completing his studies, he worked as a secretary for various high-ranking officials, including Lord Grey de Wilton and Queen Elizabeth I. During his lifetime, he wrote several poems, including sonnets and odes, which were highly regarded by his contemporaries.

Poem 21, also known as "Amoretti 21" is one of Spenser's sonnets that he wrote during the course of his courtship with Elizabeth Boyle, whom he later married. The sonnet is part of his Amoretti series, which consists of 89 sonnets that depict the poet's love for his beloved.

Themes

The central theme of Poem 21 is the concept of beauty and its impact on the human psyche. Throughout the poem, the poet describes the beauty of his beloved in vivid detail and how it affects him. The poem also touches upon the themes of love, desire, and mortality.

Literary Devices

Spenser employs several literary devices in Poem 21 to convey his thoughts and emotions. These include:

Personification: The poet personifies various elements of nature, such as the flowers, trees, and winds, to describe the beauty of his beloved.
Metaphor: Spenser uses metaphors to describe the beauty of his beloved. For example, he compares her eyes to the stars in the sky and her lips to the cherry.
Repetition: The poet repeats certain phrases and words to emphasize their significance. For example, he repeats the phrase "sweetly slept" to describe the peaceful expression on his beloved's face.
Simile: Spenser uses similes to compare his beloved to various objects in nature. For example, he compares her hair to "threads of beaten gold."
Imagery: The poet uses vivid imagery to depict the beauty of his beloved. He describes her eyes as "fair twin stars," her lips as "ripened cherries," and her hair as "threads of beaten gold."

Structure and Form

Poem 21 is a sonnet that follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line.

Interpretation

Poem 21 is a beautiful tribute to the poet's beloved and her beauty. Throughout the poem, the poet uses various literary devices to describe the beauty of his beloved, comparing her to various objects in nature. The persona describes his lover in terms of physical beauty that catches the eye and is pleasing to the senses, but also emphasizes the beauty of her soul, which is more important.

The poet's use of personification, metaphor, repetition, simile, and imagery all serve to create a vivid image of the beloved, emphasizing the depth and complexity of her beauty. In the first quatrain, the poet describes the peaceful expression on his beloved's face as she sleeps, emphasizing her serene beauty. The second quatrain describes her physical beauty, comparing her eyes to twin stars and her lips to ripe cherries. The third quatrain touches upon the theme of mortality, suggesting that her beauty will fade with time, but that her virtues will remain.

The final couplet of the poem offers a hopeful message, suggesting that the poet's love for his beloved will endure, despite the fleeting nature of physical beauty. This final couplet also serves to bring closure to the poem, underscoring the idea that love is eternal, even when beauty fades.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poem 21 is a beautiful tribute to the concept of beauty and its impact on human emotions. Through vivid imagery and the use of various literary devices, Edmund Spenser creates a compelling portrait of his beloved and the power of her beauty. The poem offers a message of hope and endurance, emphasizing the idea that love can transcend the fleeting nature of physical beauty. As a whole, Poem 21 stands as a masterpiece of Elizabethan poetry, showcasing the beauty of the English language and the power of poetic expression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Edmund Spenser's Poetry Poem 21 is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Spenser's unique style of writing, which combines the traditional elements of poetry with his own innovative techniques. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he refers to as "my love." The speaker expresses his desire to be with his love and describes the beauty of the natural world around them. He compares his love to the flowers and the trees, saying that she is more beautiful than all of them. This comparison is a common literary device used in poetry, known as a simile. It helps the reader to visualize the beauty of the speaker's love and understand the depth of his feelings.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker's true intentions are revealed. He asks his love to come away with him to a secret place where they can be alone. He promises her that they will be safe and that he will protect her. This stanza is significant because it shows the speaker's desire for intimacy and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be with his love.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's true feelings are revealed. He tells his love that he is willing to die for her and that he would rather die than be without her. This is a powerful statement that shows the depth of the speaker's love and his willingness to make sacrifices for his beloved. This stanza also contains a metaphor, where the speaker compares his love to a rose. This metaphor is significant because it shows the fragility of love and how it must be nurtured and protected in order to thrive.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker's desperation is revealed. He tells his love that he cannot live without her and that he will die if she does not come with him. This is a powerful statement that shows the speaker's vulnerability and his dependence on his beloved. This stanza also contains a repetition of the phrase "come live with me," which emphasizes the speaker's desperation and his desire for intimacy.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker's hope is revealed. He tells his love that if she comes with him, they will be happy together and that their love will never die. This is a hopeful statement that shows the speaker's belief in the power of love and his optimism for the future. This stanza also contains a repetition of the phrase "come live with me," which emphasizes the speaker's persistence and his determination to be with his beloved.

In terms of structure, Poetry Poem 21 is written in a traditional form known as a sonnet. A sonnet is a 14-line poem that is usually written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line contains 10 syllables and follows a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Spenser's sonnets are known for their unique rhyme scheme, which is ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. This rhyme scheme is significant because it creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.

In terms of literary devices, Spenser uses a variety of techniques to enhance the meaning and impact of his poem. One of the most prominent literary devices used in Poetry Poem 21 is repetition. The repetition of the phrase "come live with me" emphasizes the speaker's desire for intimacy and his persistence in pursuing his beloved. Another literary device used in this poem is metaphor. The metaphor of the rose emphasizes the fragility of love and the need to nurture and protect it in order for it to thrive.

In conclusion, Poetry Poem 21 is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of love, intimacy, and sacrifice. Spenser's unique style of writing, which combines traditional elements of poetry with his own innovative techniques, creates a powerful and impactful poem that has stood the test of time. Through the use of repetition, metaphor, and other literary devices, Spenser is able to convey the depth of the speaker's love and his willingness to make sacrifices for his beloved. This poem is a testament to the power of love and the human desire for intimacy and connection.

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