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The sonnet is part of a famous sonnet sequence, "Astrophel & Stella" by Philip Sidney. In this sonnet, Astrophel, the narrator, personifies sleep and calls on it as if it were a person. He praises sleep as "knot of peace", i.e. a flowery bed offering peace. As we all know that sleep gives us rest and recharges our mind and body. If we are sleep-deprived, we grow frustrated/irritated. The narrator further calls it "baiting-place of wit, the balm of woe" to describe its state of calmness, which helps us to think clearly, and of course, we get great ideas during and after a proper slumber. In this way, it sharpens our wit. It also soothes both our physical as well as mental pains. Moreover, it is the only wealth of a poor man, i.e. a poor man can have a better rest than a rich man, on account of his toil during the daytime. A prisoner holds sleep highly as it frees him for a while. Sleep doesn't discriminate between the high class and the low class; e...

In this sonnet, our lover, Astrophel, broods in his self-pitying state of love. In a fine example of Pathetic fallacy, he begins to attribute his love-stricken emotions to the moon. It is nighttime, the moon shines right above in the sky. The narrator, as a lover, relates to the moon and calls him a failed lover like him. The moon's pale appearance signifies to him an illness or a dejection that afflicts the moon. It amazes Astrophel that Cupid, the angel of love, has the strength to shoot his enchanted arrows at a celestial body such as the Moon. Being an experienced lover, Astrophel has eyes that long for love. He can straightaway recognize anyone who burns in love like him, and the moon's desolate state is something he himself has, so he knows and understands the sad state of the moon. He further asks Moon whether, among its inhabitants, being in deep love is a sign of foolishness. He wonders whether beautiful ladies on the moon are more conceited than the ones over here on ...

The sonnet is one of the 108 sonnets and 11 songs published in the sonnet sequence of "Astrophel and Stella" by Philip Sidney. It is a love poem depicting the narrator's unfulfilled love and his issue of writer's block i.e he is not able to produce new work. Rhyme scheme: Petrarchan (abbaabba cdecde) Astrophel wants to show his true love for Stella in his verse. His love might give pleasure to Stella as women love to torment their lovers. When Stella gets pleasure in Astrophel's love, she might also come to understand his love for her. He believes that this knowledge might evoke pity in her heart for him and she might recognize and reciprocate him with love too. Astrophel is in search of the right words to describe his innermost sad emotions. Moreover, he reads the works of literary masters to get inspiration, so that he can entertain his beloved with his verse (poetry). But all his toil generates no ideas in his mind. He feels helpless due to his inability to ...

The sonnet is penned by Philip Sidney in his sonnet sequence " Astrophel and Stella ". The poem presents the tussle between Astrophel's reasoning and emotion (passion). His heart (emotional side) wants to resign before the ruthless and "vain love". He requests his virtue to take rest and leave him at love's mercy and oppression. He urges virtue to use its sceptre (a royal stick) i.e. correction measure in schools or churches which is well suited for its purpose. Astrophel confesses that he has done a wrong by falling in love with Stella. His couldn't deny its charges because he can't stand against virtue's power. He can convince virtue with the little "reason that is left" in him about his feelings. He believes he can show "true a deity" which resides in his heart and even virtue would also fall in love with Stella. This love sonnet shows the contention of the narrator against love. It's an internal fight inside his mind. ...

In this sonnet, Astrophel conveys his confession of love and presents his subjugation to it even if it gives him hell. The narrator reveals that he didn't fall in love at first sight, nor was it just an attraction. It is certainly not a lame shot at him by Cupid, the angel of love. He admits that love gave wound to his heart and he would suffer till his death. It shows that his love must be deep and true. But he learned its true worth later in life when it conquered his heart. Initially, he casually liked his beloved upon seeing her. Gradually, he came to love her, but he didn't act upon his urge, thinking it might be momentary. Reluctantly, he had to bow before it, i.e. he finally understood that his love is perennial and it is wise to accept it. Now, he has lost his freedom and has become just like a Russian slave. He doesn't regret serving his beloved and suffering tyranny on the account of his affection. After falling in love, the only intelligence left of him is...