sonnet 31 sydney

Sonnet 31Sir Philip Sidney

With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb’st the skies! A How silently, and with how wan a face ! B What, may it be that even in heavenly place A English sonnet That busy archer his sharp arrows tries? B classic rhymes Sure, if that long-with-love –acquainted eyes C Can judge of love, thou feel’st a lover’s case, D I read it in thy looks; thy languished grace, C To me that feel the like, thy state descries. D Then, even of fellowship, O Moon, tell me, E Is constant love deemed there but want of wit? F Are beauties there as proud as here they be? E Do they above love to be loved, and yet F Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess? G Do they call virtue there ungratefulness? G

With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb’st the skies! -Personification -Personification and metaphor -The author is questioning

How silently, and with how wan a face ! Personification, questioning

What, may it be that even in heavenly place Angelic image, talking about perfection

That busy archer his sharp arrows tries?

Cupidon angel of love, Alliteration

Sure, if that long-with-love –acquainted eyes

Personification

Can judge of love, thou feel’st a lover’s case,

Question

I read it in thy looks; thy languished grace,

Intimate tone, Oxymoron

To me that feel the like, thy state descries.

Intimate tone, talking about his feelings

With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb’st the skies!

Then, even of fellowship, O Moon, tell me, Repetition, Searching answers

Is constant love deemed there but want of wit?Are beauties there as proud as here they be?

Questioning the sense of love

Do they above love to be loved, and yet

Assonance with plosive

Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess?

Oxymoron

Do they call virtue there ungratefulness?

Oxymoron