Edmund Spenser –The Poet’s Poet

Edmund Spenser needs no introduction as a facile poet and takes the sole credit for creating an entirely new version of poetic art. For years, young poets have worshipped Spenser as a source of inspiration further labeling him as “The Poet’s Poet”… Spenser’s gravestone in the Westminster Abbey has a quote written on it which says “The Prince of Poets of All time”… His works are never grounded with artistic imagery; rather did he cast his renowned melodious spell with a balance of rhythm & rhyme…

Dr. Ben Johnson, one of the eminent critics of Spenserian time, rightly called as the skillful representative of poetry, denigrated almost works of every poet. Nevertheless, the surge of popularity that Spenser brought in through his style of authoring rose, thus enabling Dr. Ben Johnson to positively appreciate the entities of Spenserian manner and matter. Surrounded by a lot of critics though, Spenser was always the zenith of renaissance poetry.

Spenser’s poetry reflected a keen sense of Renaissance spirit and platonic idealism. Spenser was no doubt the Conceiver of innovative thoughts. He brought in the idea that Poetry is a sacred form of art and rendering it is true divinity. His verses vindicate poetic beauty more often. Never did he try writing verses of Art, religion & Society. As lovingly called the “English Virgil” Spenser was largely affected by prominent philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, Virgil & Theocritus. This tinge of Platonic idealism sprouted in Spenser with the cult of renaissance. His Spenserian Stanzas were followed by brilliant poets like Byron, Wordsworth, Milton, Keats, Dryden, and Romantics & Pre-Raphaelites.

With a chaste taste in poetic art, Spenser continually themed the aspects of Beauty in nature, art & Human beings. Every single thing around was a manifestation of GOD and deserves to be loved truly. Moreover, those appearances were an embodiment of love and purity. Such is the thought liberated by Spenser. The idea gained large acceptance thus titling him as “The Poet’s Poet”…

Edmund Spenser, most superior poet remarked for his stupendous stylistics, lovely verses & musical beauty shall always be remembered for his progressive impact on the sacred skill of poetry.

Poetic Style of Spenser

Spenser is undoubtedly the “Poetic son of Chaucer”. As a poet, Spenser always wanted to innovatively expand the language. His works do not follow a strict lingo and he encouraged the use of archaic and rustic expressions. Spenser’s fine style always ranged from housing classicisms to conversions of foreign words. In every poem, Spenser significantly elevated the elegant use of archaic idioms & native expressions thereby making the lines sound elegant and exotic.

Previously, poets considered classicism boring and weakly expressive & never used any of such words in their works. On the other hand Spenser made his peers understand that linguistics positively develops with fine discovery of new words. Spenser at the outset did not follow any sort of dialect either. What makes his verses unsurpassed is that the sincere blend of rustic & archaic idioms, transparent phraseology, quasi-medieval diction, fair amount of classicism and some adaptations from the northern dialect. The light of renaissance shone brightly in works of Spenser, he ardently supported novelty in English language and envisioned it as a benchmark of developmental era.

Spenser’s style of writing included epithets, alliterations and iambic hexameter which add to the rhyme and rhythm of the verse. Epithets that Spenser used decorated the content and never gave any actual meaning. Spenser as a verbal expert can mesmerize readers with sweet musical lines of lyrical intensity. Spenser’s grammar is simpler, lucid and embraced fresh technicalities like the alexandrine or the iambic hexameter. The iambic hexameter could be divided into 12 syllables or six phrases which brought in a beautiful halt at the end of the stanza & sometimes also accounted to summarizing the meaning of the stanza or representing one complete portion of the scene in the stanza.

As an outstanding poet of non-dramatic renaissance, Spenser’s got it all...With opulent musical lines, harmony of rhyme and rhythm & grammatical simplicity with modernization of linguistic entities, Spenser still rules for his uniqueness.

Critical Appreciation of Prothalamion

Prothalamion, the best spousal verses of all time, though less sensible than its sister poetry, Epithalamion; is a lyrical benchmark running softly as musical rhyme. The entire verse is a pure magic with the refrain “Sweet Thames run softly till I end my song” which symbolizes life on earth to be steady in order to be able to listen to the eternal song. The artistic imagery, sweet music and lyrical power make Prothalamion an unparalleled product of non dramatic renaissance. The refrain brings a mode of five stresses which embraces the tonal quality of rivers and water bodies.

Through the verse, Spenser reflects transparency and fine classical imagery. Beyond doubt, Spenser charges the atmosphere with references to two great rivers; namely Thames and Lee. The confluence is described in such a beautiful way that the rivers are symbolized as elements of love. Wholly, the atmosphere of the poem brings in serene bliss, earnestness and joy.

The penning of the verse essentially must have begun from the Latin poems namelyW.Vallan’s “A tale of two swanes” & Leland’s “cygment cantio” as models. However, Spenser brought in conventional imagery such as flowers, birds, rivers and woods. Two swans, represented as the daughters of Somerset, the brides. The swans embody purity, eternal bliss and contentment. With more classical imagery, Spenser adds the fights at the Spanish Armada by the Earl of Essex, Spenser’s birth and livelihood in London. The moon (Cynthia), Venus,Nymphs, Cupid and Twins of Jove, Jupiter and Leda are other classical images which Spenser uses are metaphors. He also talks about the Muse (Goddess of Poetry) here meaning Spenser himself, to author a verse of merit to the Earl of Essex.

Dr. Johnson says that Prothalamion holds autobiographical lines of Spenser which is a conventionality. As a Renaissance poet, Spenser shouldn’t have done that and historical references do not always prove fruitful and enjoyable when it comes to poetry. Moreover, Spenser fails to bring the actual scene of marriage and instead concentrates more on the descriptive verse. Eventually, the content becomes less factual and dreamier with absence of the real brides. Contrarily, Epithalamion revolves around the lovely wedlock of Spenser himself, thus making it more realistic and appealing.

Prothalamion, an epitome of soothing musical verses and a portrayal of elegance is embroidered with bliss and purity. The artistic imagery, sweet music and lyrical power make Prothalamion an unparalleled product of non dramatic renaissance

Prothalamion – Edmund Spenser

Prothalamion, a spousal verse by Edmund Spenser is one of the loveliest wedding odes. The verse is essentially the wedlock of twin sisters; Lady Catherine and Lady Elizabeth with Henry Gilford and William Peter.

Conversely, on comparison with Epithalamion, the verse is considered less realistic and unappealing. Spenser incorporates classical imagery strongly with a beautiful atmosphere in the poem. The emphasis of renaissance on Prothalamion brings a tinge of mythological figures like Venus, Cynthia and Titan.

Prothalamion:

Stanza 1:

The poet walks along the banks of River Thames to forget the worries of his personal life. He was completely frustrated with the Job at the court and all he wanted is some mental peace. The cool breeze covered the heat of the sun by reflecting a shade of tender warmth. There are flowers everywhere and the birds chirp happily. The poet as a refrain requests the river to flow softly until he ends his song.

Stanza 2:

The poet happens to see a group of nymphs along the banks of the river. Here the poet makes use of first Mythological figure, the nymphs which are supernatural maidens known for their purity. Every nymph looked stunning and had loose strands of hair falling to the shoulders. Nymphs together prepared bouquets of flowers with primroses, white lilies, red roses, tulips, violets and daisies.

Stanza 3:

As the second mystic entity, Spenser introduces the swans. Swans that swam across the river looked holy and whiter than Jupiter who disguised as a swan to win his love, Leda. But, yes, what Spenser says next is that these swans are shinier than Leda herself. The River Thames requests its waters not to dirty the sacred wings of the swan.

Stanza 4:

The nymphs were all dumb struck watching the swans swim across the river. Swans are usually assigned to drawing the chariot of Venus, the goddess of love. The white lilies are matched to the purity or virginity of the nymphs.

Stanza 5:

As the next step, the nymphs prepare poises and a basket of flowers which look like bridal chamber adorned with flowers. The nymphs on excitement of the upcoming wedding throw the flowers over the River Thames and birds. The nymphs also prepare a wedding song. With all the fragrance of flowers, Thames exactly looked like the Peneus, the river of ancient fame flowing along the Tempe and the Thessalian valley.

Stanza 6:

The song of the nymph mesmerizes with an enchanting musical effect. Here Spenser wishes the couple live forever with swans’ contented heart and eternal bliss as these birds are the wonder of heaven. He also prays to Cupid and Venus to bless the couple with love and care lest they be safe from deceit and dislike. With endless affluence and happiness, their kids must be a sign of dignity and a threat to immoral people.

Stanza 7:

The river Lee, with headquarters at Kent, flows with happiness on such an occasion. As the birds flew above the swans, the sight looked like moon (Cynthia) shining above the stars.

Stanza 8:

Once the wedding starts at London, the poet begins to recollect his encounters at the mansion and the building where the wedding occurs.

Stanza 9:

The Earl of Essex lived in the mighty castle which actually was the venue of the wedding. He was so chivalrous that he served as a danger to foreign countries. His brave attack on Spain shot him to fame and entire Spain shook at his very name. Queen Elizabeth was so proud of him and he deserves to be celebrated with a poem.

Stanza 10:

The Earl of Sussex walked towards the river and he looked fresh with his lovely golden hair. He was accompanied by two young men who were brave, handsome and glorious. They resembled the Twins of Jupiter namely, Castor and Pollux. The men held the hands of the brides and their wedlock begun thereby.

With all the necessary ingredients for a successful verse, Prothalamion is embroidered with long lasting style and simplicity.

Edmund Spenser- the True child of Renaissance

Edmund Spenser, the man who blended renaissance and reformation perfectly is the master of Elizabethan poetry. He has penned so many sonnet sequences that are still remembered as the noblest of all. . Renaissance brought in a lot of interesting features to poetry such as innovative taste in music, rich imagination, fine expression, moral chastity, strong patriotic feelings and reincarnation of beauty.

Renaissance basically occurred with a transformation in culture, arts and literature. Reformation on the other hand tended to converting people to a new holy religion, Protestantism. Many poets were deeply inspired by Renaissance in the 16^th and 17^th century. However, Edmund Spenser was the true child of Renaissance

Spenserian Poetry incorporates thematic writing and stupendous stylistics. His works, Epithalamion and Prothalamion are eminent pieces of love poems. Fairie Queene, six separate books with the main theme in the seventh book, stands as one of the best allegorical pieces from the era of renaissance until now. The concept of Fairie Queene, in deeper sense reveals the conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism. Spenser, a protestant himself was always against the two-facedness of Catholic Papacy. Spenser penned the Shepherd’s calendar, which is essentially a verse of careful combination of rustic and archaic words, a project that was wholly dedicated to Sir. Phillip Sidney. The poem covered 12 pastoral verses or eclogues each corresponding to a month of the year.

Spenser never encouraged the effect of mysticism and all that he wanted is intellect to rule his thoughts and works. Renaissance, once again, was the cause of his liberation of thought. Spenser employs just the right blend of rhythm and words inviting readers across the globe.

In Spenserian poetry, serious lack of unity persists. Alongside, disjoint verses and characters, Spenser also wanted to prioritize poetry over fields like philosophy, religion, arts and science which is a practically impossible idea. Sometimes, Spenser’s thoughtlessness also accounts to his vague writing.

Brushing aside the negatives, we can find a lot of readers who research sincerely on Spenserian beauty in writing. As an innovation in literary writing, renaissance and Edmund Spenser paired to perfect the horizon of English Literature in England.

Chaucer on Canterbury Tales- Humorist or Satirist???

Geoffrey Chaucer, fondly called the Father of English Literature is one of the greatest humorists of fourteenth century. His humor is not exaggerated but appears naturally within the character and never deviates from the entities of the storyline. Through his comic satire he cleverly represents the depraved, illicit characters in sympathetic humor that makes us think while we literally laugh.

Chaucer’s careful experimentation can also turn an unusually fickle incident to a realistic and a sensible one. His satire is always positive and concentrates more on the humor. As always, Chaucer entertains his audience with the characteristics of his pilgrims in an unsurpassed way. Stories of pilgrims in the Canterbury tales range from energetic amusement to open mockery. Chaucer also focuses the cunning suggestions in the Summoner’s story and makes thoughts moderate by extracting the story from the nun’s priest who tells a common folk’s tale.

Chaucer’s element of satire is in accord with the real character of the pilgrims. Chaucer’s mode of satire also resembles those of Shakespeare’s. His characters namely Sir Toby of Twelfth Night and Falstaff of Henry IV portray similar attributes of Wife of Bath’s. An important quality of Chaucer is that he concentrates more on the character instead of focusing on the background. It makes the story more interesting and never diverts the attention of the reader ensuring fair amount of humor.

An age old depiction of characters is what Chaucer has eliminated in the Pilgrimage. The weird qualities of each pilgrim are explained clearly such that it stays in the reader’s mind as a fun element. This way Chaucer has made it easier to amuse people with his subtle satire. Examples are the wife of Bath’s hat that weighs around 19 pounds, the reeve’s thin legs, miller’s wart on the nose and the squire’s locks that look like as if it were pressed. Never did Chaucer employ any degree of mockery in his poetic writing.

Humor has taken different identities in each pilgrim. In case of the Wife of Bath’s it is half silly and open. The Friar, the Monk, the summoner and pardoner are depicted with harsh satire contrary to what Chaucer usually does. The summoner is lecherous and hideous and the character isn’t subject to any kind of comedy. However, the pardoner’s sly humor of calling the host to buy his relics as he is the most sinful makes us laugh. It shows his silly behavior and stands a best example to Chaucer’s amusing comic satire. As in case of prioress, she pretends to be a courtly damsel and sings in her nose and speaks incorrect French. This is once again a piece of comedy that shows how a prioress really shouldn’t be.

In the Canon’s yeoman’s depiction of the tale, Chaucer brings to light the word Alchemy or the chemistry of metals which the Yeoman uses to conceal their profession of coating heavy metals with gold and silver, promising the customers to make it tenfold.

Chaucer’s irony occupies limited space in the Canterbury tales. Like in the instances of the merchant, monk, prioress and physician irony wins. When Chaucer says “worthy man withal” about the Merchant, it means that the merchant keeps borrowing to keep his business in balance and still boasts about his trading abilities. With the Physician “ verray parfit praktisour” ironically presents the physician’s quality of failing to investigate poor patients. And in the Monk’s which says “a manly man, to been an abbot able” clearly symbolizes that the monk isn’t all that pious to live a life of sacrifice and priesthood. He really likes to go hunting and loves to lead a life of innovation. In the prioress’s prologue, the satirical part comes thereafter in which Chaucer says that to pretend like a courtly damsel, she weeps when an animal dies, but to feed her own dog she prepares roasted meat, vividly portraying the hidden meaning inside. Her love and care are confined within the boundaries of her own properties.

As a comic satirist, Chaucer has definitely proved to be an icon. Chaucer’s quick wit and entertaining humor have certainly played major roles in the Canterbury tales. Chaucer’s attitude of being less harsh towards his pilgrims from the unorthodox men to medieval stereotypes casts everlasting lovely impressions throughout reading.