With reference to 'God's Grandeur' and two other poems including at least one from another era, explore the ways in which the sonnet form is associated with love and ardent expression'. Luke Hyde
English Literature: Poetry Luke Hyde
Q. 'With reference to 'God's Grandeur' and two other poems including at least one from another era, explore the ways in which the sonnet form is associated with love and ardent expression'.
God's Grandeur is a sonnet associated with the environment and obviously, God. It is an Italian petrarchan sonnet, where there is a noticeable split in the poem which makes up the octave and the sestet. The first four lines of the octave, describes a natural world through which God's presence runs through like an electric current, becoming at times noticeable is flashes. A metaphor is used to emphasise God's Grandeur as an electric force. Gerard Hopkins suggest that there is some kind of force not to our attention, which builds up a sort of tension which can be both positive or negative. God's presence could also be described as a rich oil, which when tapped with a enduring pressure, builds up to a greatness. These comments are stated in the poem, 'It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil'. It is clear to the reader from this point that the love being expressed here is very much towards God, his presence, and the natural world surrounding us.
After the poet, Gerard Hopkins, suggests the fact of God's presence in the world, he then asks the reader to ask themselves why humans fail to take note of God's powerful authority. The word 'rod' in this poem represents God's grand authority. The image of electricity also subtlety returns in the fourth line, where the 'rod' of God's punishments calls to mind the lightning rod in which excess electricity in the atmosphere will sometimes disappear. The stressed syllables in the fourth line also reinforce to the reader the question which is being asked here by Hopkins. For example, words such as 'Crushed, why, not' all contribute to the powerful rhythm, which helps put the question across more efficiently. This all contributes in helping the poet convey such a strong ardent expression, which is needed greatly in order for the full effect of the poem to show.
In the next line, the strong, falling rhythm of 'have trod, have trod, have trod,' recreates the sound of marching footsteps in emphatic onomatopoeia. The message here is of what man has done to the environment, God's environment, by using it over the years for various means of transport. The onomatopoeia and alliteration here helps to put the message across because the tension increases by a large amount, resulting in a more exciting and powerful climax.
The word 'and' is used often and the start of lines to compound something which is trying to be said. It helps put across the message more efficiently because the same word is being continuously 'drummed' into the reader 'And all is seared...And wears man's smudge' etc.
The second quatrain is all about how human beings treat the natural surroundings which are around them. Also how the landscape represents God, but how industry and buildings have transformed it all. The poet is putting across his love towards God and his love for the environment around him, ...
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The word 'and' is used often and the start of lines to compound something which is trying to be said. It helps put across the message more efficiently because the same word is being continuously 'drummed' into the reader 'And all is seared...And wears man's smudge' etc.
The second quatrain is all about how human beings treat the natural surroundings which are around them. Also how the landscape represents God, but how industry and buildings have transformed it all. The poet is putting across his love towards God and his love for the environment around him, and how it upsets him greatly why humans are diminishing it all around them, 'And all is seared with trade: bleared, smeared with toil'. Another poetic devise used here to put the message across in a more effective manner and to contribute to the ardent expression is assonance., repetition of consonant sounds 'seared, bleared, smeared'. The poets love of nature is again expressed here because he's so disgusted of the human activity taking place on it, when it is supposed to be represented as God.
The sestet explains to the reader how nature never 'ceases', and how beautiful and energetic it actually is. The power of renewal is the key here. For example, the bright, sunny morning always follows the dark evening, 'There lives the dearest freshness deep down things'. The poem ends on a very positive note, which shows Hopkins love and complete faith in God. This is because although man is damaging the environment, nature carries on strongly, continually as a result of God.
The final line suggest some sort of rebirth, a continuing process, where a bird is born which symbolises God's loving nature, 'and with ah! Bright wings'. The exclamation mark used makes the poem end emphatically. The point is put across more effectively which is that God has an infinite power of renewal, which cannot be broken.
The sonnet 'Remember' by Christina Rossetti is another example of an Italian petrarchan sonnet. It involves her and the poem focuses around the idea of separation, and her love for her partner and close relatives around her. It is a very solemn poem, which is unique because at that time when writing the poem she was close to getting married, so in fact she should be in a positive mood, but sadly that wasn't the case.
The first couple of lines involve the idea of separation. This immediately creates an impression to the readers of seriousness and graveness, 'Remember me when I am gone away'. It is clear the subject at this part of the poem is separation, however it is unclear what is actually going to separate her. The ardent expression is created here by allowing the first poem to be involved in this poem. It personalises the poem so much more effectively, resulting in more powerful ardent expression. It is a very personal poem, with references made about 'I, me , you'.
There are equal syllables per line throughout the poem which creates a balanced and perhaps morbid tone. This helps to add to the dark mood of the poem on a whole, because it is such a sinister subject which is being written about.
However, strong contrasts are used to add to the tension. As already established, the mood of the poem is extremely solemn, however on line six, Rossetti uses positive language as a way to subtlety differentiate the poem. She talk about the closeness and the loving relationship she shared with her partner, 'You tell me of our future that you planned'.
Repetition is used throughout this poem, especially with the word 'remember'. It is used five times throughout this short sonnet. By using repetition, it creates an echo effect. This is important because by having some sort of echo throughout the poem, it creates a very chilling and haunting atmosphere, which is significant since the theme of the poem is about separation by death.
The love for her partner is shown in the poem by the way in which she sets out tasks for which he should do when she's gone. For example, in the octave, she asks him to remember her and think of her when she's no longer with him, 'Remember me when no more day by day'. This again shows that the two had a very loving relationship together, because there are no bitter comments made in this poem towards him. The alliteration used in this sentence with the word 'day' harshly indicates that she will be gone forever, and will not return.
However in the sestet Rossetti tells her partner what he shouldn't do when she has gone. This contrasts with the opening octave, but again this shows her complete loyalty and love towards him because the reader gets the distinct impression that she wants the best for him when she's gone and doesn't want him to suffer or blame himself, 'Better by far you should forget and smile'. This emphasises to the reader she was a generous person who loved her partner deeply. Rossetti's words in which she uses conveys the ardent expression shown towards her partner. She is devoted towards him and loves him greatly. Her deeply held emotions and believes towards her loved one are expressed, which again convey the enthusiastic expression.
The language used throughout the play however is extremely solemn as already stated. Rossetti doesn't mention heaven once, which suggests in that period of time in her life, she wasn't at all looking on the bright side of life and this poem proves this. Words such as 'darkness', 'corruption' and 'forget', all add to the graveness of the poem.
The rhyme structure is very much regular throughout the piece. This all adds to the 'echo' effect intended by the poet. Because there is no variety in the structure, the tension as a result increases to an powerful, yet emphatic climax, 'land...hand' and 'toil, soil'.
The final poem, 'Composed upon West minister Bridge', written by William Wordsworth, is a very patriotic poem which is about one mans love for the city of London, and the celebration of its wealth and all the beautiful buildings it includes.
It is a standard patrarchan which takes a very romanticised view on the subject, which isn't unusual considering the period in which it was written. It uses the sonnet format of two quatrains followed by a sestet.
The opening sentence is a definite statement which sets up the rest of the poem. The colon at the end of the line makes sure that it is a statement. It immediately gives the reader the impression that it's going to be a very descriptive poem about a place an individual rates highly, Earth has not anything to show more fair:'.
The third line again expresses this mans love for London. It describes the city as majestic, awe inspiring. He sees the city of London from a different perspective when he views it in the early morning, 'A sight so touching in its majesty'. The most striking image in the sonnet is when the poet compares the morning beauty of the city to a cloak that will later be removed. A piece of clothing is something temporary.
The pace of the sonnet is slowed down by the punctuation used such as 'silent and bare', which gives the reader time to imagine the beauty of the sight of London at dawn.
The poem emphasises the celebration on human accomplishment. The tremendous and visually striking buildings in London prove this. In the poem, buildings are listed to put extra emphasis on the fact that as humans, we have accomplished a great feature by constructed such a wonderful city. 'Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie'.
The poem generally is full of positive comments, which all add to the patriotism shown. Words such as, 'bright, glittering, beautifully', all combine to give the poem an upbeat tone to it.
Wordsworth uses personification to give the city a sense of life and freedom 'the river glideth at his own street will'. The poet also suggests the countryside images 'Vallery rock or hill' to beautify London even more. The metaphor of London as a 'mighty heart' suggests to the reader that it is at the centre of everything, and it is London which keeps everything moving and busy.
The poet expresses his love for the city furthermore by commenting on different and unique features of it. For example he comments on the power, the religion and the arts. This reinforces to the reader that London is a culturally aware city, which adds to it's greatness, 'Domes, theatres, temples'.
'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge' uses a musical type rhyme scheme to connect both the romantic and the delightful sides of the poem, 'the city, now doth, like a garment, wear....the beauty of the morning; silent, bare'. This all adds to the ardent and enthusiastic expression.
The language in this sonnet used by Wordsworth ensures that London is particularly soothing and soft, which gives London on the whole a more positive effect, which is what the poet is trying to achieve, 'never did sun more beautifully sleep'.
The similes used in this poem gives it more character and an extra dimension, 'this city now doth, like a garment, wear the beauty of the morning'. The reader gets the notion from reading this that the city of London is just like a person in the morning, clothing itself, which automatically hides its amazing wonder and beauty.