The Artist

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    In story books, when I was very young,     I knew you first, one of the Fairy Race;     And then it was your picture took its place,     Framed in with love's deep gold, and draped and hung     High in my heart's red room: no song was sung,     No tale of passion told, I did not grace     With your associated form and face,     And intimated charm of touch and tongue.     As years went on you grew to more and more,     Until each thing, symbolic to my heart     Of beauty, such as honor, truth, and fame,     Within the studio of my soul's thought wore     Your lineaments, whom I, with all my art,     Strove to embody and to give a name.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a poignant exploration of the themes of love, idolization, and the passage of time. It cleverly takes the reader on a journey from childhood's innocent fascination with fictional characters to an adult's more complex emotional associations. The tone of the poem is wistful and reflective, revealing an underlying sense of longing and perhaps even loss.

The structure of the poem is carefully crafted, with a clear movement from the past to the present, and from the external to the internal. The opening lines are filled with vivid, external imagery, drawing on the tangible elements of storybooks and a "picture." As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes more abstract and internalized, moving into the metaphorical "heart's red room" and the "studio of my soul's thought."

The poet also effectively employs various literary devices to enrich the poem's themes and tone. The use of metaphors, such as the "heart's red room" and the "studio of my soul's thought," beautifully illustrate the deeply personal and internalized nature of the speaker's feelings. The personification of abstract concepts like honor, truth, and fame, imbued with the beloved's "lineaments," adds a layer of complexity to the speaker's idolization, suggesting that their love has grown to encompass more than just a person, but an embodiment of lofty ideals. The poem concludes with a strong sense of striving and unfulfilled desire, encapsulating the speaker's lifelong quest to capture and name this elusive love.

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.