The Sonnet: A Comparison Of Romantic Love In The Sonnets

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Sonnets have existed as a change of pace and challenge for writers since their first appearance during the Renaissance. Unlike many other forms of poetry and prose, sonnets function with a specific formula. With strict rules about the amount of lines, and the need for complete adherence to specific patterns, it is no surprise that it takes a skilled writer to create an enjoyable and structurally correct sonnet. While there is no straying from the path in the actual building blocks of sonnets, the content is a different story. Since sonnets often have the theme of romantic love, differences between them show through the unique relationships between the lovers. Specifically, in the sonnets of Shakespeare, Spenser, and Pollitt, we see a happy relationship, one full of recognized …show more content…

The ocean in Sonnet 75 took away his efforts to make his love last, and the pond in Two Fish presumably took away life from the fish, which represented their relationship. As for similarities between Shakespeare and Spenser, they are both concerned with age and vanity. Vanity is mentioned in line 5 of Sonnet 75 “Vayne man,” and in line 5 of Sonnet 138 “…vainly thinking.” Shakespeare and Spenser were also closer in the dates of publication, while Pollitt’s piece was in 1981.
William Shakespeare, one of the “Big 3” authors of the Renaissance, had a number of sonnets. Sonnet 138, one of the “Dark Lady” poems, deals with a relationship built on paradoxes. These lovers find peace in their willing ignorance. He pretends she is truthful even though she lies, and she pretends that he is young even though he is old. They operate on the fact that “Love’s best habit is in seeming trust.” This logic, while it is temporarily causing them happiness, is not healthy. Instead of loving each other for who they are, they are living with “truth suppressed” in order to make it

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