Edmund Spenser's "Epithalamion" and "Prothalamion" are two of the most celebrated wedding poems of the Renaissance period, each showcasing Spenser's poetic mastery in different but complementary ways. Both poems are nuptial songs — the "Epithalamion" written for Spenser's own wedding, and the "Prothalamion" for the weddings of Elizabeth and Katherine Somerset. While both poems share the theme of marriage and celebration, they differ significantly in tone, structure, subject matter, and symbolic depth. In this comparative analysis, we will explore how "Epithalamion" and "Prothalamion" function as wedding songs, highlighting both their similarities and differences, while delving into their symbolic and thematic resonances.
Background and Purpose
"Epithalamion" (1595) is a personal and highly intimate poem written by Spenser to commemorate his marriage to Elizabeth Boyle. The poem is an elaborate celebration of the wedding day, structured around the passage of time from dawn to nightfall, reflecting the different stages of the marriage ritual. "Epithalamion" is a prayerful and joyful invocation of the gods, nature, and muses, as the poet expresses his hopes for love, happiness, fertility, and prosperity in his marriage.
On the other hand, "Prothalamion" (1596) is a more public and less personal wedding song. It was composed for the double marriage of the Earl of Worcester's daughters, Elizabeth and Katherine Somerset. Unlike the deeply personal "Epithalamion," "Prothalamion" celebrates aristocratic unions and has a ceremonial tone. The poem is set against the backdrop of the River Thames, with swans symbolizing purity and grace as they float along the river, carrying the poem's brides-to-be to their weddings.
Structure and Form
Both "Epithalamion" and "Prothalamion" follow a formal, structured approach typical of Renaissance poetry, but they differ in complexity and scope. "Epithalamion" consists of 24 stanzas, symbolizing the 24 hours of a wedding day, with a climactic crescendo reaching the moment of consummation. This intricate structure mirrors the passage of time, progressing from dawn, when the groom eagerly anticipates the arrival of the bride, to the wedding ceremony itself, and finally, to the night of the consummation, symbolizing a hopeful future.
The progression of the day in "Epithalamion" gives the poem a dynamic quality, as each stage of the day brings with it new hopes, prayers, and joys. The poem uses various classical invocations, such as to the muses and the gods of fertility, along with detailed natural imagery. The final lines shift from celebration to a more personal, intimate prayer for future blessings on the couple’s life, their progeny, and their union.
In contrast, "Prothalamion" is shorter, consisting of 10 stanzas (each of about 18 lines), and follows a more linear narrative. The river Thames serves as the central symbol, representing purity and the natural beauty that surrounds the brides as they approach their wedding. The repetitive refrain, “Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song”, gives the poem a sense of gentle movement and rhythmic continuity. The simplicity of "Prothalamion" reflects its ceremonial function, focusing less on time progression and more on a serene, almost pastoral depiction of the marriage procession.
While "Epithalamion" builds towards an emotional climax and follows the natural cycle of day to night, "Prothalamion" maintains a more consistent, measured tone throughout, appropriate to its function as a public celebration.
The Role of Nature
Nature plays a significant role in both poems, serving as both a backdrop and an active participant in the wedding celebrations. However, the way Spenser uses nature in each poem reflects the personal and public differences between the two works.
In "Epithalamion," nature is deeply intertwined with the poet’s emotions and the wedding ceremony itself. The natural world, with its birds, flowers, rivers, and celestial bodies, actively participates in the wedding rituals. For example, at the beginning of the poem, the birds are invoked to sing the praises of the bride and groom, while the nymphs of the river are called upon to attend the wedding ceremony:
“Ye Nymphes of Mulla, which with carefull heedThe silver scaly trouts do tend full well,And greedy pikes which use therein to feed;(Those trouts and pikes all others do excell;)”
Nature, in this poem, is not merely a passive observer but an essential part of the ritual. The poem's natural imagery is rich and vivid, creating a sense of harmony between the human world and the natural world. The sun, the moon, the rivers, and the woods all play roles in celebrating the wedding day, and they are imbued with divine and mythological significance, representing fertility, life, and the eternal cycles of nature.
In "Prothalamion," nature also plays an important role, but in a more subdued and symbolic manner. The central image of the swans gliding along the Thames evokes purity, grace, and beauty, qualities that Spenser associates with the brides:
“White as the native rose, before the changeWhich Venus' blood did in her leaves impress.”
The river Thames, with its gentle flow, reflects the peacefulness and harmony of the marriages. The swans, often seen as symbols of fidelity, serve as an apt metaphor for the two brides, who are about to embark on their journey toward wedded bliss. Unlike "Epithalamion," where nature is active and vital, "Prothalamion" presents nature as a tranquil, almost pastoral setting that underscores the serenity of the marriages being celebrated.
Mythological and Classical References
Both "Epithalamion" and "Prothalamion" are heavily infused with classical allusions, a characteristic feature of Renaissance poetry. In "Epithalamion," Spenser invokes a wide range of deities from Greek and Roman mythology, calling upon them to bless his wedding day. The poet asks for blessings from gods of marriage, fertility, and the home, such as Juno, Hymen, and Venus. These invocations not only highlight Spenser’s classical education but also imbue the wedding with a sense of divine favor and cosmic significance:
“And let the Graces dance unto the rest,For they can do it best:The whiles the maidens do their carol sing,To which the woods shall answer, and their echo ring.”
In contrast, "Prothalamion" uses classical references more subtly. The nymphs of the river Thames, who adorn the brides with flowers, are reminiscent of classical pastoral imagery, drawing from ancient traditions of rural beauty and harmony. The swans, too, are associated with classical myths, often seen as creatures sacred to Apollo. However, in "Prothalamion," the classical allusions are less overt than in "Epithalamion," reflecting the poem’s more restrained, ceremonial tone.
Tone and Mood
The tone of "Epithalamion" is passionate, personal, and deeply emotional. Spenser’s feelings of joy, hope, and reverence for the institution of marriage are palpable throughout the poem. The personal nature of the poem makes it both a public celebration and a private prayer, blending the poet’s innermost thoughts with the grandeur of a wedding ritual. The poem crescendos with the hope for future happiness and fertility, culminating in a prayer for the night of consummation:
“So let us rest, sweet love, in hope of this,And cease till then our timorous minds to move,Letting God choose the time of future bliss.”
"Prothalamion," by contrast, maintains a more formal and serene tone. As a public ode celebrating aristocratic marriages, the poem lacks the personal intensity of "Epithalamion." The mood is one of calmness and grace, with the repetitive refrain of the Thames’ gentle flow contributing to the overall peacefulness. There is no climactic buildup, as in "Epithalamion," but rather a sense of continuity and tradition, as the daughters of noble families are married off with dignity and grace.
Themes of Marriage and Fertility
Both poems emphasize the themes of marriage, fertility, and the hope for a fruitful union, but they approach these themes from different perspectives. In "Epithalamion," Spenser’s focus on fertility is highly personal, as he prays for the blessings of children and a prosperous household:
“And thou glad Genius, in whose gentle handThe bridal bower and genial bed remain,Without blemish or stain,And the sweet pleasures of their loves delight.”
The imagery of fertility is intertwined with the natural world, and the poet’s desires for his marriage are deeply connected to the cycles of nature — the growth of plants, the abundance of harvests, and the birth of children.
In "Prothalamion," the theme of fertility is present but more abstract, symbolized through the swans and the flowers that adorn the brides. The poem celebrates the continuation of noble lines through marriage, with a focus on the social and ceremonial aspects of the union rather than the intimate personal hopes seen in "Epithalamion." The fertility in "Prothalamion" is more symbolic of aristocratic legacy and the perpetuation of family lineages.
Conclusion
In comparing Spenser’s "Epithalamion" and "Prothalamion," we see two distinct approaches to the celebration of marriage. While both are wedding songs filled with classical references and natural imagery, they differ significantly in tone, scope, and purpose. "Epithalamion" is a deeply personal and passionate poem, filled with intimate emotions and prayers for a prosperous marriage, while "Prothalamion" is a more formal and serene celebration of aristocratic unions. Both poems, however, reflect Spenser’s mastery of poetic form and his ability to infuse traditional wedding songs with rich imagery and profound themes. Together, they offer complementary perspectives on the theme of marriage, one private and personal, the other public and ceremonial.