Poe

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    Upon the summit of his Century     He reared a Palace of enduring Art,     From whose wild windows never more depart     Beauty's pale light and starry fantasy:     Within is music, sobbing ceaselessly;     And phantom terror, spectres of the heart     And ghosts of grief and love that ever start     From haunted places, fleeing what none may see.     Around its towers the bird, that never dies,     Circles; the tempest beats with black alarm     On one red window where, beyond the storm,     The Lord of that high Palace dreams and sighs,     His Soul, with its Despair, a kingly form,     And Death with infinite pity in his eyes.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem demonstrates a profound exploration of themes such as mortality, despair, art, and beauty, all set against the grandeur of a metaphorical palace. The palace, which represents a pinnacle of human achievement ("the summit of his Century"), is not just an architectural accomplishment, but a space where universal human experiences like love, grief, and fear reside. This suggests that the poet views life's highest accomplishments as inherently intertwined with its deepest struggles.

Throughout this piece, the tone is melancholic and somber, with the author employing rich imagery and emotive language to create a haunting atmosphere. The use of "wild windows", "sobbing ceaselessly", "phantom terror", and "ghosts of grief" paints a vivid picture of a place filled with sorrow and intensity. The poet's use of personification, particularly in the depiction of "Death with infinite pity in his eyes", underscores the theme of mortality and gives a sympathetic, if somber, face to the inevitability of death.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyme scheme and rhythm, mirrors the steadfastness of the palace it describes, further reinforcing the enduring nature of both human achievement and suffering. Overall, the poem offers a thoughtful meditation on the human condition, suggesting that beauty and pain, life and death, are inseparable elements of our existence.

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.