Mavis L Carroll

Petrarch's Sonnets

Written by Francesco Petrarca 1304-1374

Quando fra l'altre donne ad ora ad ora
Amor vien nel bel viso di costei,
quanto ciascuna è men bella di lei
tanto cresce 'l desio che m'innamora.
I' benedico il loco e 'l tempo et l'ora
che sí alto miraron gli occhi mei,
et dico: Anima, assai ringratiar dêi
che fosti a tanto honor degnata allora.
Da lei ti vèn l'amoroso pensero,
che mentre 'l segui al sommo ben t'invia,
pocho prezando quel ch'ogni huom desia;
da lei vien l'animosa leggiadria
ch'al ciel ti scorge per destro sentero,
sí ch'i' vo già de la speranza altero.
When Love within her lovely face appears
now and again among the other ladies,
as much as each is less lovely than she
the more my wish I love within me grows.
I bless the place, the time and hour of the day
that my eyes aimed their sights at such a height,
and say: 'My soul, you must be very grateful
that you were found worthy of such great honour.
From her to you comes loving thought that leads,
as long as you pursue, to highest good,
esteeming little what all men desire;
there comes from her all joyous honesty
that leads you by the straight path up to Heaven-
already I fly high upon my hope.'
(Poem found on https://www.thoughtco.com/part-i-love-sonnets-to-laura-4092997 )

Francesco Petrarca was a modern poet during the renaissance who was madly in love with a woman named Laure de Noves. The poem itself, not exactly named, shows his admiration of this woman, comparing her to heaven. This woman is higher than any other and Francesco wanted to make sure she knew how much he honors her. 

Francesco himself was born in 1304 in Arezzo, Italy. He studied law for a number of years, and met Laure while in Avignon, although it is unknown if that is her true identity. 

 "Love within her lovely face" is the front line example of figurative language in this poem. It sets the mood automatically and uses metaphor to show her adorning features. Petracra continues to say "Love within me grows", as if to say his feelings for Laure are sprouting. He also loosely compares the woman to Heaven, as if he where to say she is perfect and godly.

 The stanzas in this poem are choppy in a way, and do not have much organization. The English version does not seem to have any rhyming, but when put through a text to speech document, it seems that in its natural language, it does have a flow.

 The tone is very adoring and loving. This man wrote a whole poem (and many more!) about this woman, who we dont even know her real name. Francesco clearly adores this woman with all of his heart, and the readers can see that. 

 The poem is telling the reader to trust your gut, and if you feel an emotional connection to someone than it must be true. 
( picture from  https://www.pexels.com/photo/affection-afterglow-backlit-blur-556667/ )

The photo may resemble this poem not just because of the obvious, its a loving couple, but the couple stands out from the background. Looking at this photo you wouldn't see the moon or the adorning skylight first, you see the outline of a couple which makes them unique. Petrarca felt that Laure was unique, different than anyone else, as she may have stood out to him. 





Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2019 at 7:24 PM

    A further analysis of the poem is that the two lovers in unison are unique within themselves together, not just separate. Just as mentioned the normal human eye would first see the outline of the couple rather than the moon in the background. Although the strongest true meaning is in the background itself with the moon. As stated before each other in the couple feel as though the other is unique and special, and if you notice the image background the sky is clear other than the bright moon. This shows how the unique couple is represented through the moon because the moon is one of a kind there is only one of them. There is no other moon just like the couple there is no other couple just like them. The moon is a symbol for the unique beauty within the love of the couple.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oscar dessauerMarch 14, 2019 at 5:55 AM

    I believe the image chosen is a very good decision regarding the poem. Simply due to the feeling both reflect in myself, I wholeheartedly believe that the auras match and give me a sense of beautiful euphoric calm.

    ReplyDelete

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