The End Of Fear

By Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Sonnet
    Though the whole heaven be one-eyed with the moon,     Though the dead landscape seem a thing possessed,     Yet I go singing through that land oppressed     As one that singeth through the flowers of June.     No more, with forest-fingers crawling free     O'er dark flint wall that seems a wall of eyes,     Shall evil break my soul with mysteries     Of some world-poison maddening bush and tree.     No more shall leering ghosts of pimp and king     With bloody secrets veiled before me stand.     Last night I held all evil in my hand     Closed: and behold it was a little thing.     I broke the infernal gates and looked on him     Who fronts the strong creation with a curse;     Even the god of a lost universe,     Smiling above his hideous cherubim.     And pierced far down in his soul's crypt unriven     The last black crooked sympathy and shame,     And hailed him with that ringing rainbow name     Erased upon the oldest book in heaven.     Like emptied idiot masks, sin's loves and wars     Stare at me now: for in the night I broke     The bubble of a great world's jest, and woke     Laughing with laughter such as shakes the stars.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Sonnets
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem brilliantly explores the themes of spiritual awakening and victory over evil, with a powerful exploration of metaphysical and existential concerns. The poet's journey through a 'dead landscape' under a 'one-eyed' moon is a vivid and unsettling depiction of isolation and menace, evoking an otherworldly, ominous atmosphere. Despite this, the poet remains undeterred, singing 'through that land oppressed', a testament to their resilience and determination. This suggests an overarching theme of resilience and hope in the face of profound darkness.

The poem's structure and rhythm add to its intensity, while the poet's use of striking and often unsettling imagery - 'forest-fingers crawling free', 'leering ghosts of pimp and king', and 'hideous cherubim' - convey the sense of a world in turmoil and the struggle against malevolent forces. However, the poet eventually conquers these fears, holding 'all evil in my hand' and finding it to be 'a little thing'. This triumphant climax is followed by a sense of liberation, culminating in a laughter ‘that shakes the stars’. The poem's tone shifts from initial dread to triumphant joy, showing a profound transformation in the poet's perception and understanding. The rich metaphysical language and intense imagery make this poem a thought-provoking exploration of personal and spiritual triumph over darkness.

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.