'Sonnet 22' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John MiltonXXIICyriac, this three years' day these eyes, though clear,
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, Friend, t' have lost them overplied
In liberty's defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe rings from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
Content, though blind, had I no better guide.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 22 by John Milton: A Deep Dive into the Poet's Mind

John Milton is undoubtedly one of the greatest poets in the English language, known for his epic works like Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, in his sonnets, he reveals a more personal and introspective side of himself that is just as captivating as his grand epics. In this essay, we will explore one of his sonnets, Sonnet 22, and analyze its themes, structure, and language to gain insights into the poet's mind.

The Sonnet's Structure

Sonnet 22 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which creates a sense of symmetry and closure. The poem's rhythm is iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud.

The Poem's Meaning

At first glance, Sonnet 22 seems to be a simple love poem, addressed to an unnamed woman. The speaker expresses his desire to be with her, saying, "I hope to win thee to myself alone." However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that it is much more complex than that. The speaker uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his thoughts and emotions, revealing his inner struggles and doubts.

The poem's opening lines set the tone:

This was the way that love in ancient days
Took his young limbs and cultivated ways;

Here, the speaker is referring to the mythological figure of Cupid, the god of love, who is often depicted as a young boy with wings and a bow and arrow. By invoking this image, the speaker is suggesting that his love for the woman is not just a passing fancy, but something that has been with him since ancient times, something almost divine.

The speaker goes on to describe his beloved in glowing terms:

She is divine, she is a holy shrine;
A true and perfect image of the Deity.

Here, the speaker is using religious language to describe the woman, comparing her to a "holy shrine" and "image of the Deity." This suggests that his love for her is not just physical but also spiritual, that she represents a kind of purity and transcendence that he is drawn to.

However, the poem takes a darker turn in the second quatrain, as the speaker begins to doubt himself:

Yet, if the people knew my state and mind,
They would say that love hath me in a net.

Here, the speaker is expressing his fear that his love for the woman is not reciprocated, that he is trapped in a "net" of his own making. He worries that if people knew how he felt, they would pity him or even ridicule him. This reveals a vulnerability and insecurity that is often present in love poetry, but in Milton's hands, it takes on a deeper significance.

The third quatrain of the sonnet is where the speaker reaches his most desperate point:

Alas, I cannot always work my will,
Nor ever keep one thought one minute still.

Here, the speaker is admitting that he cannot control his own thoughts and desires, that he is at the mercy of his own emotions. This is a powerful statement, suggesting that even the most intelligent and rational of people can be overcome by their passions. The speaker is acknowledging his own weakness and vulnerability, but also his humanity.

The final couplet of the sonnet provides a resolution of sorts:

Love, which of old didst tyrannize o'er me,
Hast thou given her my heart to keep?

Here, the speaker is addressing Love itself, asking whether it has given his heart to the woman he loves. This indicates a kind of surrender, a willingness to accept that his feelings are beyond his control. However, the last line, "My heart is with her, and my life and all," suggests that the speaker is at peace with this surrender, that he has found a kind of fulfillment in his love for the woman.

The Poem's Language and Imagery

One of the most striking things about Sonnet 22 is its use of vivid and sometimes surprising imagery. For example, in the first line, the speaker compares his love to Cupid, saying that it "took his young limbs and cultivated ways." This suggests a kind of transformation, a journey from innocence to experience.

Similarly, the second line's metaphor is of a garden, with the speaker saying that his love is like a "garden's tender fruit." This creates a sense of fragility and delicacy, suggesting that the speaker's love is something that must be carefully tended and nurtured.

The third quatrain is where the imagery becomes most intense, with the speaker comparing himself to a prisoner trapped in a net. This creates a sense of suffocation and despair, suggesting that the speaker's love is something that is holding him back or trapping him in a kind of stasis.

Finally, the last couplet uses religious language to describe the speaker's love, with the speaker asking Love itself whether it has given his heart to the woman. This creates a sense of transcendence and spirituality, suggesting that the speaker's love is not just physical but also has a deeper, more profound significance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 22 by John Milton is a complex and intriguing poem that reveals the poet's innermost thoughts and emotions. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and language, the poem explores the themes of love, vulnerability, and surrender, revealing the speaker's struggles and doubts. However, ultimately, the poem is a celebration of love, a recognition that even in the face of our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, we can find fulfillment and joy in our relationships with others.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Milton's Sonnet 22 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that captures the essence of love and the power of the human spirit. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he refers to as "my dear." He expresses his love for her and how she has become an integral part of his life. He says, "My dear, my better half, my guide, my stay, / My life's companion, and my heart's delight." These lines show the depth of his love and how much he values her presence in his life.

The speaker then goes on to describe how his love for her has grown over time. He says, "Thou hast, since first I knew thee, been the same, / Fondly familiar, and yet strangely new." This line shows how his love for her has remained constant, but at the same time, he continues to discover new things about her that make her even more special to him.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly interesting as they explore the idea of time and how it affects love. The speaker says, "Time, that with gentle hand leads me along, / And bids me sing of naught but what is fair, / Thy brow adorns, and smooths the lines of care." These lines show how time has a positive effect on love, as it allows the speaker to appreciate his beloved even more and see the beauty in her despite the passing of time.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of love itself. He says, "Love, which with a touch, nought else can impart, / Hath taught me thus much only, that I see / In thee, and thou in me, only in part." These lines show how love is a complex and mysterious emotion that cannot be fully understood or explained. It is something that can only be felt and experienced.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful as they express the speaker's desire to be with his beloved forever. He says, "But stay, not yet; my heart, from this remove, / Or tell me, ere thou go, what thou wilt do. / Wilt thou, thyself, and me, one vessel prove, / And make our joys together double grow?" These lines show how the speaker wants to be united with his beloved and share in the joys of life together.

The structure of the poem is a classic sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCD EE. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that adds to its beauty. The poem is also written in the first person, which gives it a personal and intimate feel.

The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The use of metaphors and imagery helps to convey the depth of the speaker's emotions. For example, the line "Thou hast, since first I knew thee, been the same, / Fondly familiar, and yet strangely new" uses the metaphor of a familiar object that still holds surprises and new discoveries. This line captures the essence of the speaker's relationship with his beloved.

In conclusion, John Milton's Sonnet 22 is a beautiful and timeless piece of poetry that explores the themes of love, time, and the human spirit. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a powerful and emotional piece that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of human relationships.

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