Sonnets and Sonnateers

I find I prefer Shakespeare’s sonnet to the one of Spencer. Shakespeare begins his sonnet with a question, then pauses to reflect upon it, and then goes again – very sing-song-y. But Spencer is different; He makes the statement, then questions it. Though this has nothing to do with the rhyme scheme. Spencer connects his sonnet through the usage of continuing rhymes over different strophes, whereas Shakespeare makes every verse a new couple. Spencer’s technique highlights the last couplet "Such is the power of love in gentle mind, That it can alter all the course of kind" which verily concludes his sonnet of frustrated questions. He has a love that doesn't love him, but that coldness towards his courting just makes him more attracted to her. He doesn't have an answer and just blames it on the nature of love.
But Shakespeare prefers to accent every verse. The whole poem is dedicated to the everlasting beauty of this fair maiden, and her beauty captures and lasts through the whole poem. Shakespeare reminds the reader of this continuity every line as if the woman's beauty was living a life therein.


Sonnet 59
Thrice happy she, that is so well assured (A)
Unto her self and settled so in heart: (B)
That nether will for better be allured, (A)
Ne feared with worse to any chance to start: (B)
But like a steady ship doth strongly part (B)
The raging waves and keeps her course aright: (C)
Ne ought_ for tempest doth from it depart, at all (B)
Ne ought for fairer weathers false delight. (C)
Such self assurance need not fear the spite (C)
Of grudging foes, ne favor seek of friends: (D)
But in the stay of her own steadfast might, (C)
Nether to one her self nor other bends. (D)
Most happy she that most assured doth rest, (E)
But he most happy who such one loves best. (E)

This sonnet, another by Edmund Spencer, is about a love of his whom is very strong in will, and in herself. There is nothing that can stop her, and her self-assurance keeps her afloat in her journeys. He concludes than no other thing could be happier than this woman, but the man whom she loved the most (which one would interpret to be Spencer).


Sonnet 11
As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow'st (A)
In one of thine, from that which thou departest; (B)
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow'st (A)
Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth covertest. (B)
Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase; (C)
Without this, folly, age, and cold decay. (D)
If all were minded so, the times should cease (C)
And threescore year would make the world away. (D)
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store, (E)
Harsh, featureless and rude, barrenly perish. (F)
Look, whom she best endow'd she gave the more; (E)
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish. (F)
She carv'd thee for her seal, and meant thereby (G)
Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die. (G)

This sonnet by Shakespeare is about a man, who in age stops believing in his own power and talent. shakespeare tells him not to lose hope because he has a woman's love, and that love, be it from the woman or from anyone, is what should make him see that he does still hold the limbs of youth in his arms and should continue his righteous path.


Sonnet for those who turn their backs away
By Anne
It, everything, is, for us, too passive
a he and a she, we look around
the heat is oppressive
the animals are running a bound
we look over to eachother
decide something is amis
cry out for all our brothers
end up in a kiss.
kiss the open air, streaming through the window blinds
take out our fears
dissolve them with orange rinds
making candied tears.
my love though far away
my memories invite him in to stay