Sonnet for a Picture

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Sonnet
    That nose is out of drawing. With a gasp,     She pants upon the passionate lips that ache     With the red drain of her own mouth, and make     A monochord of colour. Like an asp,     One lithe lock wriggles in his rutilant grasp.     Her bosom is an oven of myrrh, to bake     Love's white warm shewbread to a browner cake.     The lock his fingers clench has burst its hasp.     The legs are absolutely abominable.     Ah! what keen overgust of wild-eyed woes     Flags in that bosom, flushes in that nose?     Nay! Death sets riddles for desire to spell,     Responsive. What red hem earth's passion sews,     But may be ravenously unripped in hell?

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents a provocative exploration of passion, desire, and mortality, employing vivid, often jarring, imagery to convey its themes. The tone is intense and somewhat unsettling, reflecting the poem's preoccupation with the more troubling aspects of physical passion. The speaker appears to be both entranced and repelled, a tension that adds a layer of complexity to the poem.

The structure of the poem, which follows the sonnet form, provides a sense of order and progression to the speaker's musings. However, the use of enjambment breaks the expected poetic rhythm, creating a sense of discomfort that aligns with the poem's themes. The poet also employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. Metaphor is used heavily, transforming the woman's body into a series of striking images that serve to highlight the raw, consuming nature of desire. The phrase 'a monochord of colour' suggests the overwhelming power of passion, while the 'oven of myrrh' metaphor emphasises the transformative power of love. The final lines introduce the motif of death, hinting at the destructive potential of unchecked desire. The use of the word 'ravenously' in the final line underscores the poem's exploration of desire as a potentially destructive force.

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.