Beyond the Vision of Dreams by Stella Price

Most love poems do not address the lady and, in many cases, the lady would not have been the most appropriate audience.

Astrophel tries to counter this argument, declaring that wise men do not have to listen to what they view as foolishness, but Wit taunts him, asking that if his poetry will not be heard, what point is there to writing it? The sonnet concludes with an expression of Astrophel's growing doubt.Īnalysis: Sidney introduces a prime audience of the poet's work, the witty courtiers. Wit replies that this fame will be nothing more than famous foolishness in the eyes of wise men. Astrophel replies that well-painted distresses can be more pleasing than the reality, but he is not ashamed to publish his troubles because his poetry may win him fame. Wit asks him how reminders of his distress could possibly ease his heart. Astrophel claims that he writes his poetry in order to ease his burdened heart. This sonnet is a dialogue between Astrophel and Wit. Now, however, Astrophel can only punish himself for missing his one chance to obtain her.ģ4. The idea is that he did not marry her because he was not yet in love with her. He cannot blame anyone else for his misfortune because he was the cause of his unhappiness: 'to myself myself did give the blow.' Astrophel was blinded by his wit and rationality, so much so that he was unable to recognize the beautiful 'day' that was rising near him, namely, Stella.Īnalysis: This sonnet is thought by contemporary critics to refer to Astrophel/Sidney's regret that he did not marry Stella/Penelope when he had the opportunity. Astrophel bemoans his unhappy state, failing to recognize his love for Stella until after she married another man. Astrophel recognizes that Stella's image in his heart is the source of his poetry and creative strength.ģ3. Sidney refers to the common Renaissance belief that the heart contains an image of the poet's mistress. The image of Stella that appears in Astrophel's dreams comes directly from the image that is contained in his heart.Īnalysis: This sonnet is a part of Sidney's mini-sequence on sleep, made up of Sonnets 32, 38, and 39. Where does he find the ivory, rubies, pearl, and gold to create her image so well? Morpheus responds mockingly, declaring that no land can contain such brilliant wealth. Astrophel asks the god how he can create such a brilliant image of Stella in his head. Morpheus has such a power over him that Astrophel always dreams of Stella. Morpheus, the god of dreams and the son of the god of sleep, has a close relationship with Astrophel.

Beyond the Vision of Dreams by Stella Price