Masked.

Author: Madison Julius Cawein

    Lying alone I dreamed a dream last night:
    Methought that Joy had come to comfort me
    For all the past, its suffering and slight,
    Yet in my heart I felt this could not be.
    All that he said unreal seemed and strange,
    Too beautiful to last beyond to-morrow;
    Then suddenly his features seemed to change,
    The mask of joy dropped from the face of Sorrow.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poignant poem explores themes of despair, deception and fleeting happiness, weaving a narrative of a dream that offers temporary solace from pain. The author skillfully utilizes personification, casting Joy and Sorrow as characters to illustrate the emotional journey. The structure, consisting of two quatrains, provides a clear change in tone and theme from one stanza to another, mirroring the change from happiness to sorrow in the speaker's dream.

In the first quatrain, the speaker describes an encounter with Joy, symbolizing temporary relief from past suffering. The language used is hopeful, yet a sense of skepticism permeates the lines, hinting at the fleeting nature of happiness. The second quatrain marks a sharp turn in the narrative as Joy is unmasked to reveal Sorrow, suggesting the inevitability of pain and the deceptive nature of dreams. The tone shifts from hopeful to melancholic, emphasizing the transient nature of joy and the enduring presence of sorrow. The poem, thus, leaves the reader with a profound awareness of the human condition, where suffering and joy are intertwined, and the latter often transient.

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.