Poetry: Sonnet CXLVII and "anyone lived in a pretty how town"
Uploaded by masone4718 on Dec 05, 2006
Poetry is a fascinating entity. It is impossible for one to accurately define poetry; its forms and styles are multitudinous in nature, and its essence is often as original and individualistic as the manner in which it is written. Two prime examples of poetry, its eccentricity, and its aesthetic value are Sonnet CXLVII by William Shakespeare, and “anyone lived in a pretty how town” by e.e. cummings. Sonnet CXLVII is an astounding example of the metrical and structured form of poetry, whereas “anyone lived in a pretty how town” is a paragon of the potential for individuality and uniqueness in poetry.
Sonnet CXLVII is a sonnet that is written to the popular yet contemptible “Dark Lady.” This Sonnet, the tone of which is both sorrowful and painful, follows Shakespeare’s reflections on his woeful condition, and his disdainful attack upon his mistress’ immorality. The theme of this sonnet can most aptly be described as the foolishness of human love and the conflicting feelings of hatred and desire towards another. Moreover, Shakespeare reveals his tumultuous relationship with his mistress, as well as his struggles to cope with her unfaithfulness, and his admission of how he still desires her to sexually please him, in spite of her having been with other men. Shakespeare declares that the “…physician to [his] love…,” which symbolizes his reason, has left him, for his “…prescriptions are not kept…,” which represent the advice that Shakespeare does not follow for his proper course of action. Additionally, Shakespeare aggressively longs to comprehend his addiction to the mistress, an addiction that he declares to be an “illness.” This ultimately leads to Shakespeare’s declaration that he certainly must be insane, for he once thought of his mistress as “fair” and “bright,” although she is neither of the two; and that she is the opposite of just that: “black as hell” and “dark as night.”
"Anyone lived in a pretty how town” is a poem that shows how individuality can cause discomfort and anxiety among society. This poem, the tone of which is both weary and jaded, displays how people live their lives on a routine and consistent basis and are not accepting of change. The theme of this poem illustrates the aspects of individualism versus the aspects of traditional society, conformity, and the cyclic nature of life. This poem follows...