Courage

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
             There is a courage, a majestic thing          That springs forth from the brow of pain, full-grown,          Minerva-like, and dares all dangers known,              And all the threatening future yet may bring;              Crowned with the helmet of great suffering;          Serene with that grand strength by martyrs shown,          When at the stake they die and make no moan,              And even as the flames leap up are heard to sing:              A courage so sublime and unafraid,          It wears its sorrows like a coat of mail;          And Fate, the archer, passes by dismayed,              Knowing his best barbed arrows needs must fail              To pierce a soul so armored and arrayed          That Death himself might look on it and quail.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a profound exploration of courage, particularly courage born from suffering. The central theme is a person's ability to rise above pain and adversity, embodying a heroic resilience akin to the Greco-Roman goddess Minerva. The first half of the poem employs classical allusion, likening courage to the fully-formed birth of Minerva, to underscore the maturity and gravitas of such valor.

The poem's tone is one of solemnity and reverence toward this kind of courage, emphasizing its unyielding and transcendent nature through vivid imagery and metaphor. The poet uses the "helmet of great suffering" and "coat of mail" as symbols of protective armor, suggesting that the experience of suffering transforms into a shield against future adversities. The structure, a Petrarchan sonnet, enforces a turn or shift in the last six lines where the poet introduces Fate and Death, personified as forces that are impotent against the might of this sublime courage. The poem's rhythm, coupled with its deft use of end rhyme, successfully conveys the speaker's awe and respect for this form of resilience, creating a deeply moving tribute to the power of the human spirit.

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.