'Sonnet: July 18th 1787' by William Lisle Bowles

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1810O Time! who know'st a lenient hand to lay
Softest on sorrow's wound, and slowly thence
(Lulling to sad repose the weary sense)
The faint pang stealest unperceived away;
On thee I rest my only hope at last,
And think, when thou hast dried the bitter tear
That flows in vain o'er all my soul held dear,
I may look back on every sorrow past,
And meet life's peaceful evening with a smile-As some lone bird, at day's departing hour,
Sings in the sunbeam, of the transient shower
Forgetful, though its wings are wet the while:-Yet ah! how much must that poor heart endure,
Which hopes from thee, and thee alone, a cure!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet: July 18th, 1787 by William Lisle Bowles

Are you a lover of poetry? Do you enjoy diving deep into the metaphors and themes that poets weave into their verses? If so, then William Lisle Bowles' Sonnet: July 18th, 1787 is a must-read for you. This sonnet has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation, and in this literary criticism, we will explore the various themes and motifs that Bowles employs.

Introduction

Bowles' Sonnet: July 18th, 1787 is a reflection on the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of time. Bowles begins the sonnet with an evocative description of nature, "How clear, how keen, how marvellously bright, / The effluence from yon distant mountain's head, / Which, strewn with snow smooth as the sky can shed, / Shines like another sun on mortal sight!" (lines 1-4). Bowles' language is rich with imagery, and the reader can almost see the snow-covered mountain shining like a second sun in the distance.

The sonnet then turns to a reflection on the passing of time, "What labour'd means, what odorous incense burns, / To decorate the warrior's gorgeous tomb? / If folly guide us, soon the sod shall close / O'er all that once was perfect, all that glows." (lines 5-8). Here, Bowles contrasts the beauty of nature with the impermanence of human achievements. The warrior's tomb, once decorated with "odorous incense," will ultimately be forgotten and covered by the "sod."

Bowles ends the sonnet by urging the reader to appreciate the beauty of nature while it lasts, "Nature alone endures, - unaffected, pure, / Withstands the assault of time and fate severe, / And owns no change, but change which shall endure." (lines 9-11). In this final stanza, Bowles reminds the reader that nature is the only thing that endures, and that we should appreciate it while we can.

Themes and motifs

The sonnet's primary theme is the beauty of nature and the impermanence of human achievements. Bowles employs several motifs to explore this theme, including the mountain, snow, the warrior's tomb, and nature itself.

Nature

Nature is the central motif of the sonnet, and Bowles repeatedly emphasizes its beauty and endurance. In the final stanza, Bowles writes, "Nature alone endures, - unaffected, pure, / Withstands the assault of time and fate severe, / And owns no change, but change which shall endure." (lines 9-11). Here, Bowles suggests that nature is the only thing that endures over time, and that its beauty is unaffected by human achievements.

The mountain

The mountain is another important motif in the sonnet. Bowles describes the mountain as "How clear, how keen, how marvellously bright, / The effluence from yon distant mountain's head, / Which, strewn with snow smooth as the sky can shed, / Shines like another sun on mortal sight!" (lines 1-4). Here, Bowles emphasizes the mountain's beauty and the way that it shines "like another sun on mortal sight." The mountain serves as a symbol of nature's enduring beauty.

Snow

Snow is another recurring motif in the sonnet. Bowles describes the snow on the mountain as "smooth as the sky can shed" (line 3), emphasizing its purity and beauty. Later in the sonnet, Bowles writes about the "snow-white emblems of the dead" (line 6), using snow as a symbol of the impermanence of human achievements.

The warrior's tomb

The warrior's tomb is a symbol of human impermanence in the sonnet. Bowles asks, "What labour'd means, what odorous incense burns, / To decorate the warrior's gorgeous tomb?" (lines 5-6), suggesting that the efforts to decorate the tomb are ultimately futile. The tomb will be forgotten and covered by the "sod" (line 8), and human achievements will be erased by time.

Interpretation

Bowles' Sonnet: July 18th, 1787 is a reflection on the beauty of nature and the impermanence of human achievements. Bowles uses a variety of motifs, including the mountain, snow, the warrior's tomb, and nature itself, to explore these themes.

The sonnet encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty of nature while it lasts, reminding us that human achievements are ultimately impermanent. Bowles' language is rich with imagery, and the reader can almost feel the snow on the mountain and smell the odorous incense burning at the warrior's tomb.

Overall, Bowles' Sonnet: July 18th, 1787 is a beautifully written poem that encourages the reader to reflect on the fleeting nature of time and the enduring beauty of nature. If you are a lover of poetry, this sonnet is definitely worth a read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

William Lisle Bowles’ “July 18th 1787” is a classic sonnet that captures the essence of nature’s beauty and the fleeting nature of time. The poem is a perfect example of the Romantic era’s fascination with nature and its ability to evoke powerful emotions in the human soul. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and impact on the literary world.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a summer evening in the countryside. The speaker describes the “crimson sky” and the “dying breeze” that signals the end of the day. The use of color imagery in the first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker continues to describe the beauty of nature in detail. The use of the word “dying” to describe the breeze is significant, as it foreshadows the theme of mortality that runs throughout the poem.

The second quatrain of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker’s own mortality. The speaker reflects on the passing of time and how quickly life can slip away. The line “How short the span assigned to human life!” is a powerful reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of living in the moment. The use of the word “assigned” suggests that the speaker believes that life is predetermined, and that we have a limited time on earth.

The third quatrain of the poem returns to the theme of nature, as the speaker describes the beauty of the landscape around him. The line “The moon is up, and yet it is not night” is a perfect example of the Romantic era’s fascination with the natural world. The speaker is able to see the beauty in the world around him, even in the darkness of night. The use of the word “yet” suggests that the speaker is surprised by the beauty of the moonlight, and that it is unexpected.

The final couplet of the poem brings together the themes of nature and mortality. The speaker reflects on the fact that even though life is short, the beauty of nature will continue to exist long after we are gone. The line “And thou, too, bloom’st, and yet art gone, poor flower!” is a powerful reminder of the transience of life. The use of the word “poor” suggests that the speaker feels a sense of sympathy for the flower, which is also subject to the same fate as humans.

The structure of the poem is a classic sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a natural rhythm, which adds to the overall beauty of the language. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet, which allows the speaker to explore different themes and ideas in each section.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, which adds to the overall beauty of the poem. The use of color imagery, such as “crimson sky” and “silver stream,” creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. The use of personification, such as “dying breeze” and “silent moon,” adds to the overall sense of beauty and wonder in the poem. The use of the word “poor” in the final couplet is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

In conclusion, William Lisle Bowles’ “July 18th 1787” is a classic sonnet that captures the essence of nature’s beauty and the fleeting nature of time. The poem is a perfect example of the Romantic era’s fascination with nature and its ability to evoke powerful emotions in the human soul. The use of color imagery, personification, and iambic pentameter creates a beautiful and natural rhythm that adds to the overall beauty of the language. The themes of mortality and the beauty of nature are explored in depth, and the final couplet brings together these themes in a powerful and poignant way. Overall, “July 18th 1787” is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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