'Sonnet 17' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John MiltonXVIILawrence of vertuous Father vertuous Son,
Now that the Fields are dank, and ways are mire,
Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire
Help wast a sullen day; what may be Won
From the hard Season gaining: time will run
On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire
The frozen earth; and cloth in fresh attire
The Lillie and Rose, that neither sow'd nor spun.
What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice,
Of Attick tast, with Wine, whence we may riseTo hear the Lute well toucht, or artfull voice
Warble immortal Notes and Tuskan Ayre?
He who of those delights can judge, and spare
To interpose them oft, is not unwise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
John Milton's Sonnet 17: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
John Milton's Sonnet 17 is a masterpiece of English literature that showcases the poet's ability to weave intricate and insightful poetry. Written in the 17th century, the sonnet employs a variety of literary devices and themes to convey its message. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meanings and themes present in Sonnet 17, and analyze the poem's structure, form, and language to gain a deeper understanding of the work.
Overview of the Poem
Sonnet 17 is a Petrarchan sonnet, which follows the traditional Italian rhyme scheme of abba abba cde cde. The poem is divided into two parts: the first eight lines, or the octave, and the next six lines, or the sestet. The octave presents the problem or conflict, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables and five iambs, which creates a musical rhythm that adds to its beauty.
Themes
The primary theme of Sonnet 17 is the transience of beauty and youth. The poem is addressed to a young man, who is described as "fair, kind, and true." The speaker declares that the young man's beauty will not last forever, and that he will eventually grow old and wither away. The theme of transience is also present in the natural world, where flowers bloom and fade, and the sun rises and sets. The speaker suggests that everything in the world is temporary, and that only the memory of one's deeds and accomplishments will last.
Another theme present in the poem is the power of poetry to immortalize beauty and youth. The speaker declares that through his poetry, he can preserve the young man's beauty and keep it alive long after he has passed away. The speaker's words are compared to a "sacred urn" that contains the young man's beauty and ensures that it will never be forgotten.
Structure and Form
Sonnet 17 follows the traditional structure of a Petrarchan sonnet. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave and the sestet, with a volta or turn between them. The octave presents the problem or conflict, while the sestet provides the resolution or conclusion. In Sonnet 17, the octave presents the transience of beauty and youth, while the sestet presents the power of poetry to immortalize them.
The poem's rhyme scheme is abba abba cde cde, which is a typical Petrarchan sonnet rhyme scheme. The use of iambic pentameter creates a musical rhythm that adds to the poem's beauty. The poem consists of fourteen lines, which is a standard length for a sonnet.
Language and Imagery
The language and imagery used in Sonnet 17 are rich and evocative. The speaker uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message, including metaphors, personification, and alliteration. The metaphor of the "sacred urn" is used to describe the power of poetry to preserve beauty and youth. The speaker personifies the natural world, describing how the "roses" and "lilies" will eventually "fade and die." The use of alliteration in the phrase "fair, kind, and true" adds to the poem's musicality.
The imagery used in Sonnet 17 is vivid and powerful. The speaker uses images of the natural world, such as "roses," "lilies," and "morning dew," to convey the transience of beauty and youth. The use of the image of the "sacred urn" adds a religious and spiritual dimension to the poem. The image of the "muse" in the final line of the poem suggests the power of poetry to inspire and create.
Interpretation
Sonnet 17 is a deeply philosophical poem that explores the transience of beauty and youth and the power of poetry to preserve them. The speaker suggests that everything in the world is temporary, and that only the memory of one's deeds and accomplishments will last. However, the speaker also suggests that through poetry, beauty and youth can be preserved and remembered long after they have passed away.
The poem's use of the "sacred urn" metaphor suggests that poetry has a spiritual dimension, and that it has the power to transcend time and space. The image of the "muse" suggests that poetry is inspired by forces beyond the poet's control, and that it has the power to inspire and create.
Overall, Sonnet 17 is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of transience, memory, and the power of poetry. Its rich language, vivid imagery, and musical rhythm make it a true masterpiece of English literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Milton's Sonnet 17 is a masterpiece of English literature that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of a series of sonnets that Milton wrote during his early years, and it is a reflection of his deep love for his wife, Mary Powell. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying, "How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, / Stolen on his wing my three and twentieth year!" Here, the speaker is lamenting the passage of time and how it has stolen his youth. He is expressing his fear that he is growing old too quickly and that he will not be able to enjoy his life to the fullest. The use of the word "subtle" to describe time is significant because it suggests that time is sneaky and can pass by without us even noticing it.
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues this theme of time's relentless march, with the speaker saying, "My hasting days fly on with full career, / But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his life is moving quickly, but he feels that he has not accomplished much. He compares himself to a tree that has not yet bloomed, suggesting that he has not yet reached his full potential.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a turn, with the speaker expressing his hope that his beloved will remember him after he is gone. He says, "Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, / That I to manhood am arrived so near; / And inward ripeness doth much less appear." Here, the speaker is suggesting that he may not look as old as he feels, and that he has a maturity that is not immediately apparent. He is hoping that his beloved will see this maturity and remember him for it.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close, with the speaker saying, "But Time did beckon to the flowers, and they / By noon most cunningly did steal away." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that time is inevitable and that even the flowers, which seem so delicate and fleeting, are subject to its power. The use of the word "cunningly" to describe the flowers' theft suggests that time is not only sneaky but also clever in the way it takes things away from us.
One of the most striking things about this sonnet is its structure. It follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is also traditional, with the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyming, as well as the final couplet. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is appropriate given the theme of time and its relentless march.
Another significant aspect of this sonnet is its use of literary devices. One of the most prominent devices is personification, with time being described as a "subtle thief" and as beckoning to the flowers. This personification gives time a sense of agency and makes it seem like a character in the poem. The use of metaphor is also prevalent, with the speaker comparing himself to a tree that has not yet bloomed. This metaphor is significant because it suggests that the speaker has potential that has not yet been realized.
In conclusion, John Milton's Sonnet 17 is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the passage of time and its effects on our lives. The poem's structure and use of literary devices give it a sense of order and balance, while its themes of aging and mortality are universal and timeless. This sonnet is a testament to Milton's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just fourteen lines.
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