'Sonnet 05' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John MiltonVPer certo i bei vostr'occhi Donna mia
Esser non puo che non fian lo mio sole
Si mi percuoton forte, come ci suole
Per l'arene di Libia chi s'invia,
Mentre un caldo vapor (ne senti pria)
Da quel lato si spinge ove mi duole,
Che forsi amanti nelle lor parole
Chiaman sospir; io non so che si sia:
Parte rinchiusa, e turbida si cela
Scosso mi il petto, e poi n'uscendo pocoQuivi d' attorno o s'agghiaccia, o s'ingiela;
Ma quanto a gli occhi giunge a trovar loco
Tutte le notti a me suol far piovose
Finche mia Alba rivien colma di rose.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Hidden Meaning of Sonnet 05 by John Milton

When it comes to the world of poetry, John Milton is a household name. His works have been celebrated for centuries and have influenced countless poets who have come after him. One of his most famous works is Sonnet 05, which is an excellent example of his poetic genius. In this literary criticism, we will explore the hidden meanings of Sonnet 05 and why it is still relevant today.

The Poem

Before we dive into the hidden meanings of the poem, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

I have no thought, my sweet, I have no thought,
But thee and the poor world's forgotten plight.
Ah, what a thing it were, if we could wrought
Our letters so, to one that happy might
Take up at once, by reading, what is wrought!
But these are useless thoughts: I to thee owe
Only what's of myself, and of the muse;
Others, whose names I leave to public use,
Ferns, and meaner weeds, applaud the show,
Which every spring will turn to violets:
Thou, while heaven lends thee grace, to me dost give
Nurture, and manna; and when thou art gone,
The world's just wonder, and my soul's grief,
I'll love thee more, even after death.

At first glance, it may seem like a simple love poem. But as we dig deeper, we find that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye.

Analysis

The Opening Line

The opening line of the poem, "I have no thought, my sweet, I have no thought," may seem like a strange way to start a poem. But when we look closer, we see that it sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker is saying that he has no other thoughts except for the person he is addressing. This person is so important to the speaker that they consume his every thought.

The Forgotten Plight of the World

The next line, "But thee and the poor world's forgotten plight," is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker is not only consumed with thoughts of the person he is addressing, but he is also deeply concerned about the state of the world. He sees the world as forgotten and unimportant, which is a strong statement. The speaker is saying that the person he is addressing is more important than the entire world. This shows how much the speaker values this person and their relationship.

The Power of Writing

The third line, "Ah, what a thing it were, if we could wrought / Our letters so, to one that happy might / Take up at once, by reading, what is wrought!" is where the poem starts to get interesting. The speaker is saying that if they could write their letters in such a way that someone could read them and be instantly happy, that would be a truly amazing thing. This shows that the speaker believes in the power of writing and the ability of words to bring happiness.

Useless Thoughts

The next two lines, "But these are useless thoughts: I to thee owe / Only what's of myself, and of the muse;" show that the speaker believes that these thoughts are useless because they cannot actually change anything. The speaker believes that the only thing that matters is what he can give to the person he is addressing through his writing and his art. This shows the importance of creation and the ability of art to bring joy and meaning to people's lives.

The Public Use of Names

The next line, "Others, whose names I leave to public use, / Ferns, and meaner weeds, applaud the show," is where the poem takes on a more critical tone. The speaker is saying that there are other writers and artists out there who are not as important as the person he is addressing. He refers to them as "ferns, and meaner weeds" which is a strong statement. The speaker believes that these other writers and artists are only there to applaud the show, meaning they are only there to make the speaker look good. This shows the importance of individuality and the belief that some people are more important than others.

The Turning of the Seasons

The next two lines, "Which every spring will turn to violets: / Thou, while heaven lends thee grace, to me dost give," show the cyclical nature of life. The speaker is saying that every spring, the ferns and weeds will turn to violets, which shows how things change and grow. But the person he is addressing is more important than this cycle of life because they give him grace and sustenance.

The Loss of the Person

The next two lines, "Nurture, and manna; and when thou art gone, / The world's just wonder, and my soul's grief," are where the poem takes on a more melancholy tone. The speaker is saying that when the person he is addressing is gone, the world will be just as it was before, but his soul will be filled with grief. This shows the importance of relationships and the deep pain that can come with loss.

Love After Death

The final line of the poem, "I'll love thee more, even after death," shows the enduring power of love. The speaker is saying that even after death, his love for the person he is addressing will continue to grow. This shows the power of love to transcend time and space and to live on even after we are gone.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? At its core, Sonnet 05 is a poem about the power of love and art to bring meaning to our lives. The speaker is consumed with thoughts of the person he is addressing, and he believes that their relationship is more important than anything else in the world. He also believes in the power of writing and the ability of words to bring happiness to people's lives.

But the poem is not without its criticisms. The speaker is critical of other writers and artists who he sees as less important than himself and the person he is addressing. He also recognizes the pain that can come with loss and the deep grief that can be felt when someone we love is gone.

Overall, Sonnet 05 is a beautiful and complex poem that speaks to the enduring power of love and art. It reminds us of the importance of relationships and of the deep pain that can come with loss. But it also reminds us that love can transcend time and space and that our art can bring joy and meaning to people's lives. It is a poem that is as relevant today as it was when it was written centuries ago, and it is a testament to John Milton's poetic genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Milton's Sonnet 05 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of the poet's love for his deceased wife, and it is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit.

The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his deceased wife, whom he refers to as "fair saint." The speaker expresses his sorrow at her passing, saying that he is "bereft of thee." He then goes on to say that he is "left alone" and that he is "like a lonely tree."

The imagery of the lonely tree is a powerful one, as it conveys the speaker's sense of isolation and despair. The tree is a symbol of life, and the fact that it is alone suggests that the speaker feels as though he has lost his own sense of purpose and meaning.

The second quatrain of the sonnet is where the speaker begins to express his love for his wife. He says that he loves her "more than these" - referring to the flowers and trees that surround him. This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker's love for his wife is greater than anything else in the world.

The speaker then goes on to say that his love for his wife is "not to be changed." This is another powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker's love is eternal and unchanging. It is a love that transcends death and time.

The third quatrain of the sonnet is where the speaker begins to express his hope for the future. He says that he hopes to be reunited with his wife in heaven, where they will be "reunited." This is a beautiful expression of the speaker's faith and his belief in the afterlife.

The final couplet of the sonnet is where the speaker sums up his feelings. He says that his love for his wife is "faithful and true," and that it will endure "to the end." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the speaker's love is unwavering and unbreakable.

Overall, John Milton's Sonnet 05 is a beautiful expression of love and loss. The sonnet is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit, and it is a reminder that even in the face of death, love can endure.

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