In Hospital - XXV - Apparition

By William Ernest Henley

Sonnet
    Thin-legged, thin-chested, slight unspeakably,     Neat-footed and weak-fingered:    in his face -     Lean, large-boned, curved of beak, and touched with race,     Bold-lipped, rich-tinted, mutable as the sea,     The brown eyes radiant with vivacity -     There shines a brilliant and romantic grace,     A spirit intense and rare, with trace on trace     Of passion and impudence and energy.     Valiant in velvet, light in ragged luck,     Most vain, most generous, sternly critical,     Buffoon and poet, lover and sensualist:     A deal of Ariel, just a streak of Puck,     Much Antony, of Hamlet most of all,     And something of the Shorter-Catechist.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a vivid character sketch, using a rich array of contrasting adjectives and metaphors to draw a complex, multifaceted portrait. The subject is painted as paradoxically slight yet bold, weak yet vivacious, ragged yet valiant, hinting at the many contradictions inherent in human nature. The tone is both admiring and mildly critical, suggesting an intimate familiarity with the subject's flaws and virtues.

The structure of the poem, a single, unbroken sonnet, lends an intensity to the description, as though the poet is passionately pouring forth their observations in one continuous stream. The use of literary and theatrical references in the latter half of the poem ("Ariel," "Puck," "Antony," and "Hamlet") not only underscores the performative, mercurial aspects of the subject's personality, but also places the poem within a broader cultural and literate discourse. The concluding reference to the "Shorter-Catechist" adds a religious dimension, perhaps hinting at the subject’s moral or philosophical inclinations. Overall, the poem is a richly layered exploration of identity, capturing the essence of its subject in a manner that is both sharply observant and poetically evocative.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.