The Eloquence of "The Master and the Slave Go Hand in Hand"

The poem "The master and the slave go hand in hand" by Edwin Arlington Robinson is an Italian Sonnet demonstrating the power of the sonnet. The title itself enhances the theme of the poem by examining the ultimate use of power between the master and the slave. The theme of the poem is expressing the power and importance of writing the perfect sonnet over the poet. This is developed through the references to the imperial power of a master over a slave, and the literary devices used.

An ultimate use of power is shown through the relationship between a master and his slave. A master is nothing without his slave, and similarly a slave is insignificant without his master as we understand the two "go hand in hand"(1). Using the term "But"(5), the poem shifts and introduces the relationship between the poet as a slave to the sonnet. Unlike any slave, "the sonnet-slave must understand/ The mission of his bondage"(5-6). The power of writing the ideal sonnet is being held over the poet, and as a result the poet experiences the bondage to his slavery. If the poet is unable to express the "perfect word"(8) and complete his mission, he will have wasted all previous efforts, and all will be lost. The dominance of the sonnet over the poet is evident through the extended metaphor comparing the relationship to the imperial power of a master over a slave.

The figurative language used throughout the poem contributes to the development of the theme of power. Personification is used to express the urgency and importance of the poet's bondage to create the perfect word. If the poet is unable to accomplish the mission set forth, the "grave/ May clasp his bones"(6-7). The choice of the word

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"clasp"(7) implies that the poet may be taken at any time rather than an expected death. In this occasion, the connotation proves very effective in demonstrating the power a sonnet has over the poet. The power of a sonnet is again revealed when it is being associated to a crown; a symbol of supremacy. This extended metaphor compares the thoughts and insights of a sonnet to the "purest gold the jewel-stones"(10). Just as the precious jewel-stones of a crown demonstrate the ranking of a King, the thoughts within the poem demonstrate the quality of the sonnet. The capitalization of the word "Thoughts"(10) emphasizes the important role this thoughts have to the entirety of the poem.