Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

MONTANUS' SONNET: 1, FR. ROSALIND [ROSALYNDE], by THOMAS LODGE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

Montanus' Sonnet 1, from Thomas Lodge's "Rosalynde," is a pastoral sonnet that beautifully encapsulates the unrequited love Montanus holds for Phoebe. Through evocative pastoral imagery and the juxtaposition of emotional expressions with the physical beauty of Phoebe, Lodge crafts a narrative of longing, admiration, and the poignant pain of love that is not reciprocated.

The sonnet opens with a depiction of Phoebe, highlighting her physical beauty and the immediate impact it has on Montanus. "Phoebe sate, / Sweet she sate," these lines not only introduce Phoebe but also emphasize the sweetness of the moment Montanus sees her. The repetition of "sate" underscores the tranquility of the scene and Phoebe's presence within it. Her "White her brow, / Coy her eye" further paints her as an object of pure and coy beauty, which captivates Montanus and pleases him deeply.

Despite Montanus' efforts, expressed through "Words I spent, / Sighs I sent," Phoebe remains unmoved. His attempts to win her affection through sighs and words highlight the traditional courtly love gestures of the time, yet they are futile in drawing Phoebe's attention or affection. This unreciprocated effort leads Montanus to a realization of loss, "O my love, / Thou art lost," acknowledging that no amount of admiration or expression can ease his longing or win her love.

The sonnet then moves to a specific scene where Phoebe is sitting by a fount, reinforcing the pastoral setting common in Renaissance literature. Here, Montanus again admires Phoebe's attributes, her "Sweet her touch, / Rare her voice," attributing almost ethereal qualities to her. The setting by the fount, combined with Phoebe's touch and voice, situates her within the idyllic and untouchable realm of pastoral beauty.

Montanus' reaction to Phoebe's song, "As she sung / I did sigh," illustrates his deep emotional response, further emphasizing the depth of his unrequited love. His sighs, an attempt to connect or communicate his feelings, ultimately lead to the realization of loss, "O mine eyes! / You did lose," marking the moment when he understands that his longing for Phoebe is in vain.

The final lines of the sonnet further extol Phoebe's physical beauty, comparing her locks to wool yet whiter and her eyes to those of a dove, symbolizing purity and gentleness but also cruelty in her indifference. Montanus' vow, "In your lamps / He will die for to delight her," signifies his willingness to endure suffering for the mere chance of pleasing Phoebe, showcasing the extremity of his devotion.

The sonnet concludes with a desperate plea, "Phoebe yield, or I die," which is a stark illustration of the intensity of Montanus' feelings. He poses the question of whether true hearts, like his, are merely fuel for fancy—highlighting the paradox of profound love that is both deeply felt and tragically unreturned.

Montanus' Sonnet 1 is a quintessential pastoral poem that reflects the ideals of love, beauty, and nature, while also delving into the pain of unrequited affection, capturing the eternal struggle between heart's desire and the harsh realities of love's endeavors.

POEM TEXT:

Phoebe sate,

Sweet she sate,

Sweet sate Phoebe when I saw her ;

White her brow,

Coy her eye:

Brow and eye how much you please me!

Words I spent, Sighs I sent:

Sighs and words could never draw her.

O my love,

Thou art lost,

Since no sight could ever ease thee.