'Sonnet 27' by John Berryman
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Sonnets To Chris1966In a poem made by Cummings, long since, his
Girl was the rain, but darling you are the sunlight
Volleying down blue air, waking a flight
Of sighs to follow like the mourning iris
Your shining-out-of-shadow hair I miss
A fortnight and to-noon. What you excite
You are, you are me: as light's parasite
For vision on... us. O if my synchrisis
Teases you, briefer than Propertius' in
This paraphrase by Pound-to whom I owe
Three letters-why, run through me like a comb:
I lie down flat! under your discipline
I die. No doubt of visored others, though...
The broad sky dumb with stars shadows me home.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 27 by John Berryman: A Masterpiece in the Art of Love Poetry
When it comes to love poetry, few poems can match the beauty, complexity, and emotional depth of John Berryman's Sonnet 27. Written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, this poem captures the essence of a passionate and troubled love affair with remarkable skill and sensitivity.
Overview of the Poem
The poem begins with a powerful image of the speaker's beloved as a "barefoot boy" who walks "on the burning deck" of his heart. The metaphor of the ship on fire is a clear reference to the famous poem "Casabianca" by Felicia Hemans, which tells the story of a young sailor who dies on board his ship rather than abandon his duty.
This allusion sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the theme of love as a kind of sacrifice or self-immolation. The speaker describes his own love for his beloved in terms of "flames" and "burning," suggesting that his passion is so intense that it threatens to consume him completely.
Despite this danger, however, the speaker is willing to endure the pain and risk of loving his beloved, even if it means "drowning" in his own emotions. In the end, the poem concludes on a note of triumph and redemption, as the speaker declares that his love is "stronger than death" and will endure even after he has passed away.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking things about Sonnet 27 is its use of imagery and metaphor. The poem is filled with vivid and powerful images that capture the intensity and complexity of the speaker's emotions. For example, the image of the "burning deck" is not only a reference to another poem, but also a powerful symbol of the speaker's own heart, which is consumed by his love for his beloved.
Similarly, the metaphor of drowning is a powerful and evocative way of describing the speaker's overwhelming emotions. By comparing himself to a drowning man, the speaker suggests that his love is not just something that he feels, but something that threatens to overwhelm and consume him completely.
Another key element of the poem is its use of language and sound. Berryman's use of alliteration, assonance, and rhyme creates a musicality and rhythm that is both beautiful and haunting. For example, the repeated use of the "b" sound in the first line ("barefoot boy," "burning deck") creates a sense of urgency and intensity that sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
Likewise, the rhyme scheme of the Shakespearean sonnet (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) creates a sense of symmetry and balance that reinforces the poem's themes of sacrifice, redemption, and enduring love.
Finally, it is worth noting the emotional depth and complexity of the poem. Berryman's speaker is not simply a lovesick protagonist, but a complex and multi-faceted character whose emotions are both intense and conflicted. He is willing to endure the pain and sacrifice of loving his beloved, but he is also aware of the risks and dangers that come with such passion.
Moreover, his declaration that his love is "stronger than death" suggests that he sees his love as something almost divine or transcendent, a force that can overcome even the greatest obstacles and endure even in the face of death.
Interpretation of the Poem
So, what does Sonnet 27 mean? What is the speaker trying to say about love, sacrifice, and redemption?
One possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of love as a kind of self-immolation. The speaker's burning heart, his willingness to drown in his own emotions, and his declaration that his love is "stronger than death" all suggest that he sees love as a kind of sacrifice or martyrdom, something that requires a willingness to suffer and even die for the sake of another.
At the same time, however, the poem is also a celebration of love as a redemptive force. The speaker's declaration that his love will endure even after his death suggests that he sees love as a kind of transcendence, something that can overcome even the limitations of time and mortality.
Moreover, the image of the "barefoot boy" on the burning deck suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as a kind of hero or savior, someone who is willing to endure pain and sacrifice for the sake of love. In this sense, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the redemptive power of love, even in the face of great suffering and adversity.
Conclusion
In the end, Sonnet 27 is a masterpiece of love poetry, a powerful and evocative exploration of the complexities and contradictions of the human heart. With its powerful imagery, haunting sound, and emotional depth, this poem captures the essence of a passionate and troubled love affair with remarkable skill and sensitivity.
Whether we see it as a meditation on sacrifice and redemption, a celebration of transcendent love, or simply a beautiful and moving work of poetry, Sonnet 27 stands as a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Sonnet 27 is a classic piece of poetry that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This sonnet is a perfect example of Berryman’s unique style of writing, which is characterized by its emotional depth and vivid imagery. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet 27 and analyze its themes, structure, and language.
The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet 27 is its structure. Like all sonnets, it is composed of fourteen lines, but it is divided into two parts. The first part consists of eight lines, which are known as the octave, and the second part consists of six lines, which are known as the sestet. The octave presents a problem or a question, while the sestet provides a resolution or an answer. In Sonnet 27, the problem is presented in the first line: “I am tired of love; I am still more tired of rhyme.”
This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is clearly disillusioned with love and poetry, which are two of the most common themes in sonnets. The second line reinforces this feeling: “But money gives me pleasure all the time.” Here, the speaker suggests that money is more important than love or poetry. This is a bold statement, and it immediately grabs the reader’s attention.
The octave continues with the speaker describing the various pleasures that money can bring. He talks about “the green of spring” and “the blue of summer,” which are both beautiful images. However, the speaker is not content with just describing these pleasures. He wants to possess them, to own them. He says, “I want to own them, go down into them, be lost in the colors.” This desire for ownership and possession is a recurring theme in the poem.
The sestet provides a resolution to the problem presented in the octave. The speaker realizes that his desire for money is not enough to sustain him. He says, “But only money can make me happy.” This line is a paradox, because it contradicts what the speaker has been saying in the octave. However, it also reveals the speaker’s true feelings. He is not really tired of love or poetry; he is just disillusioned with them. He still longs for happiness, but he has been looking for it in the wrong places.
The final three lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says, “So let it rain; I have a black umbrella. / It is dark and I am far from home; / Give me your hand.” These lines are a metaphor for the speaker’s journey through life. The rain represents the hardships and challenges that he will face, while the black umbrella represents his ability to protect himself from these challenges. The darkness and distance from home represent the speaker’s feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, the final line, “Give me your hand,” suggests that the speaker is not alone. He is reaching out for help, for companionship, for love.
The language of Sonnet 27 is rich and evocative. Berryman uses a variety of poetic devices to create a vivid and emotional picture. For example, he uses alliteration in the first line: “I am tired of love; I am still more tired of rhyme.” The repetition of the “t” sound creates a sense of weariness and exhaustion. He also uses imagery to describe the pleasures of money: “the green of spring” and “the blue of summer.” These images are both beautiful and fleeting, which reinforces the idea that the speaker is searching for something more permanent.
In conclusion, Sonnet 27 is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of love, money, and happiness. The structure of the poem, with its octave and sestet, creates a sense of tension and resolution. The language is rich and evocative, with a variety of poetic devices used to create a vivid picture. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder that happiness cannot be found in material possessions, but in the connections we make with others.
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