'Poem 18' by Edmund Spenser
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NOw welcome night, thou night so long expected,
that long daies labour doest at last defray,
And all my cares, which cruell loue collected,
Hast sumd in one, and cancelled for aye:
Spread thy broad wing ouer my loue and me,
that no man may vs see,
And in thy sable mantle vs enwrap,
>From feare of perrill and foule horror free.
Let no false treason seeke vs to entrap,
Nor any dread disquiet once annoy
the safety of our ioy:
But let the night be calme and quietsome,
Without tempestuous storms or sad afray:
Lyke as when Ioue with fayre Alcmena lay,
When he begot the great Tirynthian groome:
Or lyke as when he with thy selfe did lie,
And begot Maiesty.
And let the mayds and yongmen cease to sing:
Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Magnificence of Edmund Spenser's Poem 18
As a writer and a lover of poetry, I have come across several extraordinary pieces of work throughout my journey. However, there is something about Edmund Spenser's Poem 18 that sets it apart from others. Maybe it's the eloquent language or the intense emotion that it evokes, or perhaps it's the way Spenser paints his words to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. Whatever it is, Poem 18 is an example of the magnificence of Spenser's literary genius.
Background and Context
Before delving into the poem's interpretation and literary criticism, it's essential to understand the context and background behind Poem 18. Spenser, a 16th-century poet, is widely recognized for his contributions to English literature, specifically the epic poem, The Faerie Queene. Poem 18 is a sonnet from his series of sonnets, Amoretti, which chronicles his courtship and eventual marriage to Elizabeth Boyle.
The sonnet form, which originated in Italy, is a 14-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and a set structure. Spenser adopts the Italian sonnet form with an additional six lines called a "sestet" at the end that creates a unique structure. Furthermore, Spenser's sonnets are characterized by their themes of love, beauty, and nature, which are all present in Poem 18.
Poem 18: Interpretation
Now, let's dive into the poem's interpretation, starting with the first two lines,
"The rolling wheele that runneth often round, The hardest steele in tract of time doth teare:"
At first glance, it may seem like these lines are just describing the natural process of wear and tear. However, it's essential to note that Spenser is using the wheel and steel as metaphors for time and the effects it has on physical objects. The repetition of the "r" sound in the first line and the alliteration in the second line emphasize the harshness and relentlessness of time. The metaphor here is that even the strongest and most durable objects will eventually succumb to the gradual wear and tear of time.
The next two lines explain,
"And drizling drops that often doe appeare, In the sharpest flint doth pierce the hardëst stone:"
In these lines, Spenser switches the metaphor from the wheel and steel to water and stone. The drizzling drops, which represent the passage of time, penetrate even the hardest stone, emphasizing the idea that time is an unstoppable force. The use of the word "sharpest" to describe the flint further emphasizes the idea that even the hardest and most unyielding substances can't withstand time's power.
Spenser then transitions to the poem's central theme of love in the next four lines:
"Yet cannot I with many a dropping teare, And long intreaty, soften her hard heart, That she will once vouchsafe my plaint to hear, Or look with pity on my painful smart."
Here, Spenser is using the contrast between the hardness of steel and stone and the softness of tears and love to emphasize the power of love. While the most durable objects can be worn down by time, love is so powerful that it can even soften the hardest of hearts. Spenser's use of the phrase "many a dropping tear" emphasizes the persistence of the speaker's love and his attempts to win over his beloved.
The final six lines, or the "sestet," add to the poem's central theme:
"But when I pleade, she bids me play my part, And when I weep, she says, tears are but water, And when I sigh, she says, I know the art, And when I woe, she turns herself to laughter. So do I weep and wayle, and plaine in vaine, Sith she regardlesse is of my deadly paine."
The sestet reveals the speaker's frustration at his beloved's indifference to his love. The repetition of the phrase "she says" emphasizes the speaker's pain and the cruelty of his beloved's indifference. The final line, "Sith she regardlesse is of my deadly paine," is a powerful statement that highlights the idea that love, though powerful, can also be destructive.
Literary Criticism
Spenser's Poem 18 is a masterclass in using metaphor and imagery to convey a theme effectively. The poem's central theme of the power of love and its ability to overcome even the harshest of obstacles is a recurring one in Spenser's works. However, what sets Poem 18 apart is the way Spenser uses extended metaphors to convey this idea.
The metaphor of the wheel and steel and the water and stone are both powerful images that are easy to understand. The contrast between the hardness of the steel and stone and the softness of tears and love is a powerful one that emphasizes the idea that love is a force that can't be defeated by time.
Furthermore, Spenser's use of language is also notable. The repetition of the "r" sound in the first two lines and the alliteration in the second line create a powerful rhythm that emphasizes the relentlessness of time. The use of the word "sharpest" to describe the flint and the repetition of the word "she" in the sestet both add to the poem's overall impact, emphasizing the poem's central themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spenser's Poem 18 is a masterful work of poetry that highlights the power of love and its ability to overcome the harshest of obstacles. Spenser's use of extended metaphors and powerful language creates a vivid image in the reader's mind, emphasizing the poem's central themes. Furthermore, the poem is a testament to Spenser's literary genius, showcasing his ability to convey complex ideas through simple imagery and language. Overall, Poem 18 is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature and poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's "Sonnet 18" is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for centuries. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of poems called "Amoretti," which was published in 1595. The poem is a love sonnet that is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, telling her that he will compare her to a summer's day. This comparison is a common theme in love poetry, but Spenser's approach is unique. He begins by describing the negative aspects of summer, such as the heat and the rough winds that shake the buds of May. The speaker then contrasts these negative aspects with the beauty and perfection of his beloved.
The first quatrain of the poem sets up the comparison between the beloved and a summer's day. The speaker begins by saying, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" This rhetorical question is a common device used in poetry to engage the reader and draw them into the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe the negative aspects of summer, saying that it is "more lovely and more temperate" than a summer's day. This is a bold claim, as summer is traditionally associated with beauty and warmth. However, the speaker is saying that his beloved is even more beautiful and perfect than summer.
In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to describe the negative aspects of summer. He says that summer is too short, and that sometimes the sun is too hot, or the clouds too dim. Again, the speaker contrasts these negative aspects with the beauty and perfection of his beloved. He says that his beloved's beauty will never fade, and that she will always be perfect in his eyes.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker really drives home his point. He says that his beloved's beauty will never fade, even though everything else in the world is subject to change and decay. He says that death will never claim his beloved, because she will live on in his poetry. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that it can overcome even death.
The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker sums up his argument. He says, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." This couplet is often quoted on its own, as it is a powerful statement about the enduring nature of love and poetry. The speaker is saying that as long as people are alive and can read his poetry, his beloved will live on.
Overall, "Sonnet 18" is a beautiful and powerful love poem that has stood the test of time. Spenser's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his message about the enduring nature of love is timeless. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture and preserve the beauty of the world around us, and the love that we feel for those who are most important to us.
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