The Masquerade

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    Look in the eyes of trouble with a smile,          Extend your hand and do not be afraid.          'Tis but a friend who comes to masquerade.     And test your faith and courage for awhile.     Fly, and he follows fast with threat and jeer.          Shrink, and he deals hard blow on stinging blow,          But bid him welcome as a friend, and lo!     The jest is off - the masque will disappear.

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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 resounding anthem of resilience and courage, emboldening its readers to face adversity head-on rather than shying away from it. It employs the metaphor of trouble as a "friend who comes to masquerade," suggesting that challenges are not necessarily malicious forces but rather tests of our strength and determination.

The poem's tone is not one of despair, but rather of resolute optimism. It maintains a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, which serves to give the piece a sort of rhythmic momentum. The poet's use of commands, such as "Look," "Extend," "Fly," and "Shrink," places the reader directly into the action, fostering a deeply personal engagement with the text. This directness, juxtaposed with the playful language and imagery of masquerades and jests, creates a compelling tension that mirrors the complex relationship we often have with adversity. Notably, the poem concludes with the notion that welcoming trouble can lead to its dissipation, offering a hopeful ending note to an already inspirational piece.

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.