Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Fidelity," from "Phillis" by Thomas Lodge, is a sonnet that delves into the paradoxes of love through the lens of courtly affection and the pursuit of a beloved who seems as unattainable as she is desirable. Lodge utilizes the conceit of Love as a capricious deity or force that both guards and jeopardizes the speaker's quest for intimacy and connection with the object of his affection. This poem intricately explores the dynamics of desire, the pain of unrequited love, and the resolve to remain faithful despite the challenges posed by Love's whims.

The poem begins with an evocative image of Love personified, guarding "the roses of thy lips" and acting with the protective zeal of a bee, ready to sting the speaker should he dare to approach too closely. This opening quatrain vividly captures the allure and peril inherent in the pursuit of love, emphasizing the delicate balance between desire and the pain that often accompanies unattainable affection.

As the sonnet progresses, Lodge continues to personify Love, depicting it as a force that not only protects the beloved but also actively thwarts the speaker's advances. Love "builds his bower" in the beloved's eyes and reacts jealously to any attempt at closeness, "shooting shafts divine" to ward off the speaker. This imagery suggests a divine or sublime aspect to the beloved's beauty and the pain of love, elevating the speaker's struggle to a cosmic battle for favor in the eyes of an unpredictable deity.

The third quatrain shifts the focus inward, to the heart, where Love is said to work its fire, tempering it with the speaker's tears yet also retreating and making a game of his plaintive appeals. This internal struggle highlights the transformative power of love, capable of refining the heart through the very trials and tribulations it presents. The speaker's vulnerability and the fickleness of Love combine to create a poignant picture of the lover's plight, caught between devotion and the caprice of the beloved's affections.

In the final quatrain and the concluding couplet, the speaker appeals directly to Love, requesting permission to "cull her choicest flowers" and asking for pity, calm, and softened affections from the beloved. This plea reflects a hopeful turning point, where the speaker seeks to negotiate with Love for a chance at mutual affection. Yet, there is also a declaration of independence from Love's tyranny: the speaker vows to serve and deserve the beloved through "firm faith," regardless of Love's assistance or hindrance.

"Fidelity" encapsulates the complexity of courtly love, where the lover must navigate the whims of Love as an autonomous force that both facilitates and frustrates romantic pursuit. Through vivid imagery and the personification of Love, Lodge articulates the tension between submission to and defiance of the capricious nature of love. The sonnet ultimately celebrates the steadfastness of the lover's devotion, suggesting that true fidelity lies not in the attainment of love but in the unwavering commitment to the beloved, transcending the vicissitudes of Love's governance.

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