'Sonnet 23' by John Berryman

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Sonnets To Chris1966They may, because I would not cloy your ear-
If ever these songs by other ears are heard-
With 'love'; suppose I loved you not, but blurred
Lust with strange images, warm, not quite sincere,
To switch a bedroom black. O mutineer
W�th me against these empty captains! gird
Your scorn again above all at

Editor 1 Interpretation

"John Berryman's Sonnet 23: A Poetic Exploration of Inner Turmoil"

If you're a poetry enthusiast, there's no way you've not come across the sonnet form. It's a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and a defined structure. But not every sonnet is created equal. Some are so powerful that they've become classics, and John Berryman's Sonnet 23 is one such piece.

Berryman was an American poet who wrote extensively about his inner struggles with alcoholism, depression, and suicidal thoughts. His sonnets are often confessional and explore the darker aspects of the human psyche. Sonnet 23 is no exception.

Form and Structure

Sonnet 23 follows the traditional structure of a Petrarchan sonnet. It's divided into two parts: an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is also typical of Petrarchan sonnets.

The poem's meter is iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. The consistent meter and rhyme scheme give the poem a musical quality and make it easier to read aloud.

Interpretation

The poem's speaker is likely Berryman himself, addressing his own inner turmoil. The octave presents a series of images that suggest a state of despair and confusion. The sestet, on the other hand, offers a glimmer of hope.

Octave

The poem's opening line, "Ariel was glad he had written his poems," sets the tone for the rest of the octave. Ariel is a character from Shakespeare's The Tempest, and his name means "lion of God." In Berryman's poem, Ariel represents the poet's creative spirit.

The fact that Ariel is "glad he had written his poems" suggests that he finds solace in his art. However, the next line, "they were of a remembered time," introduces a note of melancholy. The speaker is looking back on a past that is no longer accessible to him.

The third line, "the wings to fly at the dawn were strong," presents an image of flight that suggests the speaker's desire to escape his current state of mind. However, the next line, "the mountain paths were steep and long," introduces a note of struggle and difficulty.

The fifth line, "From what did it flow?" is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the speaker's confusion. He doesn't understand the source of his inner turmoil, which makes it even harder to confront.

The final three lines of the octave present a series of images that suggest a sense of hopelessness. The speaker compares his state of mind to a "purple moon," which is an image of something rare and difficult to attain. The moon is also associated with madness and lunacy, which suggests that the speaker feels out of control.

The octave ends with the image of a "black sun," which is a paradoxical and disturbing image. The sun is usually associated with light and warmth, but in this context, it represents darkness and despair.

Sestet

The sestet of Sonnet 23 offers a glimmer of hope. The opening line, "it flowed from the mouth of the canyon," introduces a new image that suggests the speaker has found a way out of his inner turmoil.

The next line, "never it promised anything good," acknowledges the difficulty of this journey. The speaker knows that there are no easy answers or quick fixes.

The third line of the sestet, "it came from the Siberian mountains, it flowed to the sea," presents a powerful image of transformation. The speaker's inner turmoil has been transformed into something new and pure, like a mountain stream flowing into the sea.

The final three lines of the poem present a hopeful image of renewal. The speaker describes seeing "the sun break through clouds," which is a classic symbol of hope and joy. He then compares this moment to "the first clear voice of a child," which suggests a new beginning.

The final line of the poem, "it was mine," emphasizes the speaker's ownership of this moment of renewal. He has found a way to confront his inner turmoil and transform it into something new.

Conclusion

John Berryman's Sonnet 23 is a powerful exploration of inner turmoil and the struggle to find hope in the midst of despair. Through a series of vivid images and rhetorical questions, Berryman presents a moving portrait of a speaker who is at once lost and seeking a way out.

The poem's strict structure and musical quality make it a joy to read aloud, even as the subject matter is often difficult. It's a classic example of the sonnet form, but it's also a deeply personal and confessional poem that speaks to the human condition.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Sonnet 23 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful example of the poet’s ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple language and structure. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in Sonnet 23, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet 23 is its structure. The poem is written in the traditional sonnet form, consisting of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure is significant because it allows the poet to convey a sense of order and symmetry, which is mirrored in the content of the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying “As an unperfect actor on the stage”. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker compares himself to an actor who is not quite perfect in his performance. This metaphor is significant because it suggests that the speaker is aware of his flaws and shortcomings, and is willing to acknowledge them.

The second quatrain of the poem continues this theme of imperfection, as the speaker says “Who with his fear is put beside his part”. Here, the speaker is suggesting that his fear is preventing him from fully embodying his role, just as an actor who is afraid may struggle to fully inhabit their character. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is struggling with some kind of fear or anxiety, which is preventing him from fully expressing himself.

The third quatrain of the poem takes a turn, as the speaker begins to address his lover directly, saying “Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage”. Here, the speaker is suggesting that his lover is like a “fierce thing” that is full of passion and intensity. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is drawn to his lover’s intensity, and is perhaps even intimidated by it.

The final couplet of the poem brings all of these themes together, as the speaker says “But when he shows his heart and turns his soul / To such as you and me, oh, how like a winter hath his absence been”. Here, the speaker is suggesting that when he is with his lover, he is able to fully express himself and show his true self. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker’s relationship with his lover is a source of comfort and warmth, and that their absence is like a cold winter.

The language used in Sonnet 23 is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in metaphor and imagery. The use of the metaphor of the actor is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to convey a sense of vulnerability and self-awareness. The metaphor of the “fierce thing” is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is drawn to his lover’s passion and intensity.

Overall, Sonnet 23 is a beautiful example of John Berryman’s ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through simple language and structure. The poem’s use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective, and the sonnet form allows the poet to convey a sense of order and symmetry that mirrors the content of the poem. Ultimately, Sonnet 23 is a powerful testament to the enduring power of love, and the ways in which it can help us to overcome our fears and imperfections.

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