Shakespeare

By Matthew Arnold

Sonnet
Others abide our question. Thou art free. We ask and ask, Thou smilest and art still, Out-topping knowledge. For the loftiest hill, Who to the stars uncrowns his majesty, Planting his steadfast footsteps in the sea, Making the heaven of heavens his dwelling-place, Spares but the cloudy border of his base To the foil'd searching of mortality; And thou, who didst the stars and sunbeams know, Self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-secure, Didst tread on earth unguess'd at. Better so! All pains the immortal spirit must endure, All weakness which impairs, all griefs which bow, Find their sole speech in that victorious brow.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Sonnets
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem delves deeply into themes of knowledge, mortality, and the human spirit's endurance. The poet portrays a figure of authority who is beyond conventional understanding, symbolizing the unattainable, divine wisdom. The contrast between our persistent questioning and the figure's silent smile suggests our inability to grasp this higher knowledge, emphasizing the limit of mortal understanding.

The poem's tone is reverential, tinged with admiration for the figure's self-sufficiency and resilience. The repeated use of "self" in the third stanza underscores the individual's self-reliance and internal strength. This poem is structured with a neat, rhythmic scheme that further enhances its solemn and reflective mood. Standout literary devices include personification, with the "loftiest hill" uncrowning its majesty to the stars, and metaphor, as the figure's endurance and strength are encapsulated in the "victorious brow". The poet's use of these devices deepens the poem's exploration of the human spirit's ability to endure pain and suffering, suggesting an inherent, invincible strength within us all.

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.