Amoretti-Sonnet 77 by Edmund Spenser

 The syllabus of MEG 1- British Poetry of IGNOU includes primarily three sonnets from the collection of Sonnets by Edmund Spencer that is included in his famous collection "Amoretti" (meaning 'little love'). In this post I have discussed the entire Sonnet 77 in a structured manner to help out the aspirants. If it helps do drop a comment and let us know about your experience.

About the Poet Edmund Spenser:

Edmund Spenser was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is recognized as one of the premier craftsmen of nascent Modern English verse and is often considered one of the greatest poets in the English language.

Born: 1552, London, United Kingdom

Died: 13 January 1599,London, United Kingdom

Parents: John Spenser

Children: Sylvanus Spenser, Catherine Wiseman, Lawrence Spenser, Peregrine Spenser

Spouse: Elizabeth Boyle (m. 1594–1599), Machabyas Childe (m. 1579–1594)

Some Key Points of Sonnet 77:

Rhyme Scheme : ABAB-BCBC-CDCD-EE

Concatenation at 4-5 & 8-9 lines : It means Edmund Spenser has joined the lines 4 & 5 and similarly 8 & 9 in a unique manner.

Central Theme : 'Love as feast'

Explanation & Analysis of Sonnet 77:

The sonnet is divided in three quatrains and one final couplet. This sonnet is important as it showcases Spenser's desire to portray his beloved Elizabeth Boyle in a glorified manner. Also as we have observed a thematic split in Spenser's sonnet 67 ,the sonnets written after it pacifies the poet's urge to depict his unreciprocated love.

Quatrain 1 highlights Spenser's desire to set an imagination in the minds of the readers about an feast which seems like a dream. The feast boasts its credibility by having a goodly table made of pure ivory. With juncats spreaded over it looks fit to entertain even a prince of pompous royalty. 

Quatrain 2 starts at where the Quatrain 1 ends. It showcases further worth mentioning objects that can attract the attention of any mortal. There was a silver dish lying idle over which two golden apples were placed. The third and fourth line draws reference from some Greek mythological characters and events.

Hercules' Eleventh Labor : The apples of the Hesperides

Eurystheus commanded Hercules to bring him golden apples which belonged to Zeus, king of the gods. Hera had given these apples to Zeus as a wedding gift, so surely this task was impossible. Hera, who didn't want to see Hercules succeed, would never permit him to steal one of her prize possessions, would she?  

Atalanta | Greek Mythology

In the most famous story, one popular with ancient and modern artists, Atalanta offered to marry anyone who could outrun her—but those whom she overtook she speared. In one race Hippomenes (or Milanion) was given three of the golden apples of the Hesperides by the goddess Aphrodite; when he dropped them, Atalanta stopped to pick them up and so lost the race.

 Quatrain 3 claims the two golden apples to be exeedingly sweet and yet at the same time free of any sinful vice. Spenser stresses on the fact that how many sought for it but none could ever taste it. This means that Spenser's beloved Elizabeth Boyle had many suitors but none could ever win her love and attention. In the final lines of Quatrain 3 there is Biblical reference of Adam & Eve.

Final Couplet starts with vulgarity where Spenser ponders on the beauty of Elizabeth Boyle's breasts. He however justifies that her bosoms were indeed so beautiful that it triggers spirituality in the mind of her admirers.

Sonnet 77

Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne?
A goodly table of pure yvory,
All spred with juncats fit to entertayne
The greatest prince with pompous roialty:
Mongst which, there in a silver dish did ly
Two golden apples of unvalewd* price,
Far passing those which Hercules came by,
Or those which Atalanta did entice;
Exceeding sweet, yet voyd of sinfull vice;
That many sought, yet none could ever taste;
Sweet fruit of pleasure, brought from Paradice
By Love himselfe, and in his garden plaste.
Her brest that table was, so richly spredd;
My thoughts the guests, which would thereon have fedd.

[* Unvalewd, invaluable]