Sonnet XXXI,Sidney
By John Coakley, Jared Silva and
Conner Lonergan
Sir Philip Sidney
• Sir Philip Sidney was
an English poet and
solider born in 1554.
• He was most famous
for his sonnets, and
“The Countess of
Pembroke’s Arcadia”
• Sidney is well known
as one of the most
influential writers of
the Elizabethan age.
Background Information
• Sonnet 31 is part of
Sidney’s series of
sonnets, called
“Astrophil and Stella.”
• There are a total of
108 sonnets in his
set.
• The poem is believed
to have been written
sometime in the
1580s.
Historical Context
• The sonnets were written sometime in the 1580s
• Elizabethan Era
• Astrophil and Stella is considered the pivotal
turning point in the history of English literature,
and that it changed the course of Renaissance
literature in England.
• Sidney was the first to introduce the Italian
sonnet form to England.
Sonnet XXXI
• With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies!
How silently, and with how wan a face!
What, may it be that even in heavenly place
That busy archer his sharp arrows tries?
Sure, if that long with love-acquainted eyes
Can judge of love, thou feel'st a lover's case;
I read it in thy looks; thy languisht grace
To me that feel the like, thy state descries.
Then, even of fellowship, O Moon, tell me,
Is constant love deemed there but want of wit?
Are beauties there as proud as here they be?
Do they above love to be loved, and yet
Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess?
Do they call virtue there, ungratefulness?
Analysis
• The narrator (Sidney) is expressing love for a
person, although they do not feel the same way.
• He then questions the Gods as to whether or not
they feel the same pain that humans do.
• The poet is angry at the way he is being treated
by the woman because although he shows her
that he loves her, she shows him disrespect in
return rather than love.
Theme
• The main theme of the poem is unrequited
love.
• The author feels indignant because he is
not loved in return by the woman, and
although she expects unconditional love,
she is not ready to love in return.
Structure
• The poem is a 14 line sonnet.
• Contrary to most sonnets of the time period,
Sidney writes in the Italian form rather than the
Elizabethan/Shakespearean form.
• Most sonnets that are in the Italian form are
written about unattainable love, and Sonnet
XXXI is a perfect example.
• Rhyme scheme: A B B A A B B A C D C D C D
• Italian sonnets are split into two sections: The
Octave (First 8 lines) and the Sestet (Final 6
lines) adding to the standard total of 14 lines.
Literary Devices
• Metaphor: The poem is a metaphor for
unattainable love.
• Alliteration: “Want of wit?” (Line 10)
• Assonance: “Above love to be loved” (Line
12)
• Symbolism: The “busy archer” is symbolic
of Cupid, and the moon is symbolic of a
God or Goddess.