On Seeing The House Of Julia At Herculaneum

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    Not great Vesuvius, in all his ire,     Nor all the centuries, could hide your shame.     There is the little window where you came,     With eyes that woke the demon of desire,     And lips like rose leaves, fashioned out of fire;          And from the lava leaps the molten flame          Of your old sins.    The walls cry out your name -     Your face seems rising from the funeral pyre.     There must have dwelt, within your fated town,          Full many a virtuous dame, and noble wife         Who made your beauty seem as star to sun;     How strange the centuries have handed down          Your name, fair Julia, of immoral life,         And left the others to oblivion.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a compelling examination of the themes of infamy, desire, and the impermanence of reputation, using vivid and emotive language. The speaker seems to address a historical figure, Julia, who despite her immoral life has left a lasting imprint on history, while virtuous figures have faded into oblivion. This irony speaks to an overarching theme of the poem: the capriciousness of memory and fame.

The poem employs a strong tone of moral censure, pairing natural imagery with the condemnation of the female figure. The comparisons of Julia's attractiveness to dangerous and destructive elements—Vesuvius, fire, and a demon—underscore her destructive impact. The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyme scheme and meter, creates a steady rhythm that contrasts with the tumultuous content and emotions presented. The poet's use of personification—walls crying out Julia's name, and her face rising from the funeral pyre—adds to the drama and intensity of the narrative. The poem thus uses its structure and literary devices to create a potent commentary on the paradoxes of historical memory and the power of desire.

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.