Astrophil and Stella – Sonnet I

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Sonnet I from Sidney’s Astrophil and Stella

Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, (A)
That the dear She might take some pleasure of my pain, (B)
Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, (A)
Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain, (B)
I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe, (A)
Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain, (B)
Oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow (A)
Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburned brain. (B)
But words came halting forth, wanting Invention’s stay: (C)
Invention, Nature’s child, fled step-dame Study’s blows, (D)
And others’ feet still seemed but strangers in my way. (C)
Thus great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes, (D)
Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: (E)
“Fool,” said my Muse to me, “look in thy heart and write.” (E)


Analysis

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  • The narrator describes his motivation for composing this sonnet sequence. He believes that his true love will fall in love with him if she were to read thissonnet. The narrator composes this sonnet with a clearly structured style to gain his lover’s heart. He also tries to gain some inspiration from talented poets but to no avail. He finally concludes that by truly writing from his heart, he will steal the heart of his one true love.

Petrarchan Sonnet

  • The Petrarchan or Italian sonnet breaks down two parts of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines)

  • The octave introduces the situation and sets out the ideas and motivation, and identify the author’s failed tactics.

Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show,
That she (dear she) might take some pleasure of my pain;
Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know;
Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain;
I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe,
Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain;
Oft turning others’ leaves, to see if thence would flow
Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburnt brain.

  • The turning point is always in line 9, which is commenced by the adversative. “But…” in this sonnet.

  • The sestet is a response to that situation usually in an agitated manner, both through the use of the subject and rhythmic manipulation.

But words came halting forth, wanting invention’s stay;
Invention, nature’s child, fled step-dame study’s blows;
And others’ feet still seemed but strangers in my way.
Thus great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes

  • The last line is a finality with romantic advice.“Fool,” said my Muse to me, “look in thy heart and write.”

Rhyme Scheme and Metrics

  • The meter of Astrophil and Stella is a usual six-foot line (twelve syllables). The rhyme scheme can be represented as ABAB ABAB CDCD EE. Sir Philip Sidney alters his rhyme schemes freely throughout the poem. This particular rhyme scheme “reinforces the notion of tedious but fruitless study” (McMenomy, 1998).

Knowledge

  • “Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain…” The narrator believes that with the little knowledge that she has of him, she might have pity on him and grace his heart with her love knowing this. As Helen Keller said, “Knowledge is love and light and vision,” thus the narrator saw his Knowledge as a portal for his lover to enter in order for him to gain her love, and in the process opening other romantic portals that will lend her love to him. Throughout the sonnet, the narrator acknowledges the fact that he has nothing materialistic to buy the love of his lover, but all that he is made of inwardly.

Muses

  • According to the Greek Mythology, the nine Muses had control over the Arts and Sciences and they provide inspiration in these areas of subject. The nine muses include Calliope (muse of epic poetry), Clio (muse of history), Erato (muse of love poetry), Euterpe (muse of music), Melpomene (muse of tragedy), Polyhymnia (muse of sacred poetry), Terpsichore (muse of dance), Thalia (muse of comedy), and Urania (muse of astronomy). In Sonnet # 1, the muse that the narrator is looking to for inspiration is Erato, the muse of love poetry. As the narrator looks for ways and things to say to his lover in order to win her love, he forgets his true essence of being a writer. In the last line, ” ‘Fool,” said my Muse to me, ‘look in thy heart and write,’ ” Erato reminds him to write straight from his heart in his own words and to stop looking for inspiration from elsewhere.

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  • Works Cited:

  • – Deveria, Achille. Lovers in 16th century costume. 1827. Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse State Archives Building, Annapolis.msa.maryland.gov.Web. 8 Dec.2013.
  • – “Italian sonnet.” Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. 1994-2008. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 8 Dec. 2013 <http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Italian+sonnet>
  • – Mannley, LaZinnia. “”History of Earth Globes.” Ezine articles. N.p., 19 Dec. 2007. Web. 8 Dec.2013
  • – McMenomy, Bruce A.. “Sir Philip Sidney: Astrophil and Stella 1.” Sir Philip Sidney. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec 2013. <http://www.dorthonion.com/drmcm/english_lit/supplementary/sidney1.html>.
  • – Poetry Foundation, . “Sonnet 1 by Sir Philip Sidney: The Poetry Foundation.” Poetry Foundation. Harriet Monroe Poetry Institute, n.d. Web. 8 Dec 2013. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/242550>
  • – Vincent, Caitlin. Kissel, Adam ed. “Astrophil and Stella Study Guide : Summary and Analysis of Sonnets 1-31”. GradeSaver, 03 August 2007 Web. 8 December 2013.