critique two of sonnets by sir thomas wyatt and edmund spenser
Sonnets are a popular form of poetry that have been explored by various poets throughout history. Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edmund Spenser are two prominent English poets from the 16th century who contributed to the development of the sonnet form. Let's critique two sonnets, one by each poet, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
1. Sonnet by Sir Thomas Wyatt - "Whoso List to Hunt"
Whoso List to Hunt, I know where is an hind,
But as for me, hélas, I may no more.
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore,
I am of them that farthest cometh behind.
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind
Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore,
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,
As well as I, may spend his time in vain;
And graven in diamonds in letters plain
There is written her fair neck round about,
"Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am,
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame."
Strengths:
- Wyatt effectively uses the metaphor of hunting to convey a sense of unrequited love. The poem showcases the speaker's relentless pursuit of a woman who is unattainable.
- The use of archaic language, such as "hélas" and "Noli me tangere," adds a certain authenticity to the poem and provides a glimpse into the poet's time period.
- The closing lines, with the inclusion of the inscription on the woman's neck, add a mysterious and powerful ending, leaving the reader with a sense of longing and unattainability.
Weaknesses:
- The poem can be somewhat difficult to understand due to its archaic language and syntax. This might alienate some readers who are not accustomed to reading older forms of English poetry.
- The poem lacks a clear structure and adherence to traditional sonnet forms. This may be seen as a weakness for those who value the specific structure of the sonnet.
2. Sonnet by Edmund Spenser - "One day I wrote her name upon the strand"
One day I wrote her name upon the strand,
But came the waves and washed it away:
Again I wrote it with a second hand,
But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.
"Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay
A mortal thing so to immortalise;
For I myself shall like to this decay,
And eke my name be wiped out likewise."
"Not so," (quoth I); "let baser things devise
To die in dust, but you shall live by fame:
My verse your virtues rare shall eternize,
And in the heavens write your glorious name:
Where, whenas death shall all the world subdue,
Our love shall live, and later life renew."
Strengths:
- Spenser's sonnet embraces a more structured form, utilizing the Petrarchan rhyme scheme (ABBA ABBA CDE CDE) and the traditional volta, or turn, at the start of the sestet.
- The theme of the transient nature of life and love is beautifully conveyed. The speaker expresses the impermanence of earthly existence while also asserting the immortality of their love through poetry.
- The concept of eternalizing the loved one's name through verse is likely to resonate with readers, as it reflects the power of poetry to preserve and capture emotions.
Weaknesses:
- The language and syntax used in the poem may prove challenging for some readers, as it adheres to older English forms of speech.
- While the concept and theme of the poem are strong, the language employed may feel overly poetic and flowery to some, potentially distancing the reader from the emotional core of the sonnet.
Overall, both sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edmund Spenser offer intriguing explorations of love and the transitory nature of existence. While Wyatt's sonnet "Whoso List to Hunt" may be difficult to grasp due to its.
Sure! Here is a step-by-step critique of two sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edmund Spenser:
1. Select sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edmund Spenser:
- Sonnet 134 by Sir Thomas Wyatt ("Farewell, Love, and all thy laws forever")
- Sonnet 75 by Edmund Spenser ("One day I wrote her name upon the strand")
2. Analyze the themes and tone:
Sonnet 134 by Wyatt:
- The theme of this sonnet is love, specifically a bitter farewell to love and its rules.
- The tone of the poem is cynical and resigned, reflecting the speaker's jaded perspective on love.
Sonnet 75 by Spenser:
- The theme of this sonnet is love's permanence through art and immortality.
- The tone is more hopeful and romantic, as the speaker believes that their love will be immortalized through his poetry.
3. Examine the structure and rhyme scheme:
Sonnet 134 by Wyatt:
- The sonnet follows the traditional Petrarchan form with an octave and sestet.
- It has an ABBAABBA CDCDCD rhyme scheme, dividing the poem into two parts: a questioning octave and a more conclusive sestet.
Sonnet 75 by Spenser:
- This sonnet is written in the Spenserian form, with three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
- The rhyme scheme is ABAB BCBC CDCD EE, allowing for a sense of continuity and unity in the poem.
4. Analyze the language and imagery:
Sonnet 134 by Wyatt:
- Wyatt uses vivid and powerful imagery, such as "burned within my breasť and "from top to toe outworn," to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions.
- The language is concise and direct, reflecting the speaker's resolve to distance himself from love.
Sonnet 75 by Spenser:
- Spenser employs picturesque imagery, like writing his beloved's name in the sand and the waves washing it away, to symbolize the ephemeral nature of human existence.
- The language is lyrical and emotive, conveying the speaker's deep affection and desire to immortalize their love.
5. Evaluate the overall effectiveness and impact:
Sonnet 134 by Wyatt:
- The sonnet presents a strong and disillusioned perspective on love, as the speaker rejects the constraints of romantic relationships. The tone and imagery successfully convey the bitter emotions.
- However, some readers might find the language too harsh or lacking in subtlety.
Sonnet 75 by Spenser:
- This sonnet explores the power of art to preserve love beyond the limits of mortality, capturing a more hopeful and romantic essence. The imagery and language create an evocative and memorable piece.
- However, the complex rhyme scheme and intricate imagery might be challenging for some readers to fully appreciate.
Remember that critiquing poetry is subjective, and different readers may have different interpretations. This analysis offers a broad overview of the two sonnets and highlights their significant aspects.
To critique two sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edmund Spenser, we need to analyze and evaluate various aspects of their poems. Let's begin by finding two sonnets from each poet and examining their themes, structure, language, and poetic devices.
1. Sonnet by Sir Thomas Wyatt:
First, we need to locate a sonnet by Sir Thomas Wyatt. You can do this by searching a reputable online poetry database or a book of Wyatt's selected poems. Once you have chosen two sonnets, it’s time to analyze them.
a. Identify the theme: Read the chosen sonnet and try to identify the main theme or subject it explores. This could be love, desire, beauty, mortality, or any other topic.
b. Analyze the structure: Examine the sonnet's structure. Sonnets typically consist of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Observe if Wyatt follows the conventional Petrarchan or Shakespearean sonnet structure.
c. Evaluate the language: Pay attention to the language Wyatt uses. Note any metaphors, similes, allusions, or vivid imagery employed. Consider the impact of the language on the overall meaning and effectiveness of the sonnet.
d. Assess poetic devices: Look for poetic devices such as personification, alliteration, enjambment, or repetition. Analyze how these devices contribute to the overall impact of the poem.
2. Sonnet by Edmund Spenser:
Now, let's search for a sonnet by Edmund Spenser. Follow the same steps outlined for Wyatt's sonnet to analyze and critique Spenser's work.
a. Theme: Identify the central theme or subject matter explored in Spenser's sonnet.
b. Structure: Analyze the sonnet's structure and determine if it follows the Petrarchan or Shakespearean form like Wyatt's sonnet. Identify any peculiarities or deviations from the norm.
c. Language: Pay attention to Spenser's language, examining any unique word choices, metaphors, or imagery used. Note the impact of the language on the poem's overall tone and meaning.
d. Poetic devices: Look for poetic devices employed by Spenser and evaluate how they enhance the sonnet's effectiveness and beauty.
After conducting a thorough analysis of the two selected sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edmund Spenser, you can proceed to critique them. Remember to support your critique with evidence from the text, explaining how their themes, structures, language, and poetic devices contribute to their quality and impact as poetry.