Sunset and Moonrise

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

Sonnet
    All the west, whereon the sunset sealed the dead year's glorious grave     Fast with seals of light and fire and cloud that light and fire illume,     Glows at heart and kindles earth and heaven with joyous blush and bloom,     Warm and wide as life, and glad of death that only slays to save.     As a tide-reconquered sea-rock lies aflush with the influent wave     Lies the light aflush with darkness, lapped about by lustrous gloom,     Even as life with death, and fame with time, and memory with the tomb     Where a dead man hath for vassals Fame the serf and Time the slave.     Far from earth as heaven, the steadfast light withdrawn, superb, suspense,     Burns in dumb divine expansion of illimitable flower:     Moonrise whets the shadow's edges keen as noontide: hence and thence     Glows the presence from us passing, shines and passes not the power.     Souls arise whose word remembered is as spirit within the sense:     All the hours are theirs of all the seasons: death has but his hour.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem possesses a profound exploration of life, death, time, memory, and the enduring power of the human spirit. It masterfully employs vivid and extended metaphors, comparing the setting sun and the transformation of day into night to the cycle of life and death. The sunset, symbolising the end of life, is described in terms that are both radiant and celebratory, suggesting a perspective of death as a necessary part of life's grandeur.

The poem's tone is reflective and introspective, yet ultimately optimistic. This is seen in the lines, "Warm and wide as life, and glad of death that only slays to save" and "All the hours are theirs of all the seasons: death has but his hour." These lines encapsulate the poem's overarching theme, that life's richness is eternal, and while death is inevitable, it is merely a brief moment in the grand scheme of existence.

The structure of the poem, particularly the use of enjambment, allows for a fluidity that mirrors the natural flow of time and life. The use of visual imagery, specifically elements of light and darkness, serve to enhance the central themes and provide a rich sensory experience.

The poem ultimately leaves the reader with a comforting and empowering conception of mortality, suggesting that the influence of one's life continues to shine even after death. This is a testament to the enduring power of human spirit and memory, making the poem a poignant contemplation of life's cyclical journey.

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.