Contextual Explanation of the Excerpt
My loue is now awake out of her dreams,
and her fayre eyes like stars that dimmed were
With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams
More bright then Hesperus his head doth rere.
Source of the Excerpt
This excerpt is taken from Edmund Spenser’s famous poem Amoretti, a sonnet cycle that describes the poet’s courtship and eventual marriage to his beloved Elizabeth Boyle. These particular lines are from one of the sonnets in the sequence, and they beautifully capture the romantic and celestial imagery typical of Elizabethan poetry. Spenser, writing in the tradition of Petrarchan sonneteers, blends deep emotion with classical allusion.
Line-by-Line Interpretation
Let us break down the meaning of the lines:
- “My loue is now awake out of her dreams”: The poet’s beloved has woken up from sleep, suggesting a transition from dream to reality—symbolic of a more vivid and affectionate connection.
- “and her fayre eyes like stars that dimmed were / With darksome cloud”: Her eyes, which had been closed during sleep (or dimmed like stars hidden by clouds), are now visible again. This metaphor compares her eyes to stars, emphasizing their beauty and light.
- “now shew theyr goodly beams / More bright than Hesperus his head doth rere”: Her eyes shine brightly, even brighter than Hesperus—the Evening Star (usually identified with the planet Venus)—when it rises in the sky.
Poetic Devices Used
Several key poetic devices are at work here:
- Simile: Her eyes are compared to stars, a common trope in love poetry meant to convey beauty and otherworldly allure.
- Personification: The stars and clouds are described as if they have volition, enhancing the romantic atmosphere.
- Classical Allusion: Hesperus, or the Evening Star, is drawn from classical mythology. Its brightness is used to measure the radiance of the beloved’s eyes.
Theme and Tone
The central theme is the beauty and emotional impact of the beloved. As the poet describes his beloved’s awakening, the imagery evokes feelings of awe and reverence. The tone is adoring, admiring, and lyrical. It presents the beloved not only as a woman of physical beauty but also as a celestial, almost divine presence who brings light into the poet’s world.
Context Within Amoretti
Amoretti is a sonnet cycle consisting of 89 sonnets chronicling the poet’s love for Elizabeth Boyle. Unlike many other Elizabethan sonnet sequences that focus on unattainable or tragic love, Amoretti leads to a successful union. This passage reflects the joy and reverence that Spenser feels toward his beloved, showcasing a love that is not just carnal but also spiritual and aesthetic. The awakening of the beloved can also be read as symbolic of emotional or spiritual awakening.
Elizabethan Love Ideals
This excerpt exemplifies many ideals of Elizabethan courtly love:
- Idealization of the Beloved: The woman is not merely human but described with celestial imagery to elevate her status.
- Devotion of the Lover: The poet demonstrates complete emotional surrender, typical of the Petrarchan tradition.
- Nature and Cosmos: The universe itself seems to align with the beloved’s presence, as seen in the comparison with stars and planetary bodies.
Feminine Beauty and Symbolism
The focus on the beloved’s eyes connects to broader traditions of associating eyes with the soul and beauty. Her eyes are not just physically beautiful but are sources of light—symbolic of life, insight, and love. By making her eyes shine brighter than Venus (Hesperus), Spenser elevates her above mythological figures, granting her a divine aura.
Conclusion
This excerpt from Amoretti is a beautiful expression of romantic love, filled with celestial and spiritual imagery. It illustrates how deeply Edmund Spenser revered his beloved and how masterfully he used poetic devices to encapsulate emotion. Through classical allusions and lyrical elegance, Spenser’s portrayal of love becomes both personal and universal. This passage is a testament to the Elizabethan celebration of ideal love and poetic refinement, and it holds a special place in English literary tradition.