In Edmund Spenser's celebrated sonnet sequence "Amoretti," the poet charts the course of his courtship and eventual marriage to his beloved Elizabeth Boyle. Sonnet 79 captures a moment of radiant clarity and awakening, emblematic of the themes of love and admiration that permeate the collection. The excerpt from this sonnet reads:
"My loue is now awake out of her dreams, and her fayre eyes like stars that dimmed were With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams More bright then Hesperus his head doth rere."
In this passage, the speaker expresses profound admiration for his beloved, likening her eyes to stars that have emerged from behind dark clouds. The sonnet opens with the assertion that the poet's love has awoken from her dreams, suggesting a transition from a state of unconsciousness or unawareness to one of vivid presence and lucidity. This awakening can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing a new phase in their relationship marked by deeper emotional connection and mutual recognition.
The imagery of the beloved's eyes as stars is particularly striking. Spenser describes them as "like stars that dimmed were with darksome cloud," evoking a sense of beauty temporarily obscured. The clouds represent any hindrances or obstacles that may have dimmed the beloved's radiance. However, these clouds have now cleared, allowing her eyes to shine with their full brilliance. The comparison to stars not only highlights their luminosity but also imbues the beloved with a celestial quality, elevating her beauty to a cosmic level.
Spenser further emphasizes the transformation of the beloved's eyes, noting that they "now shew theyr goodly beams." The use of the word "goodly" suggests a sense of goodness and grace, while "beams" reinforces the idea of light and illumination. This transformation from dimness to brightness symbolizes enlightenment and the revelation of the beloved's true beauty and essence.
The reference to Hesperus, the evening star, adds a classical touch to the poem. Hesperus, often identified with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, serves as a fitting metaphor for the beloved's radiant eyes. By comparing her eyes to Hesperus, Spenser elevates their brilliance to that of a celestial body, reinforcing the theme of idealized beauty and love.
Throughout the "Amoretti" sequence, Spenser's language reflects the romantic idealization of his beloved. He often employs vivid imagery and classical allusions to convey his admiration and affection. In Sonnet 79, the awakening of his beloved and the subsequent illumination of her eyes symbolize not only a personal transformation but also the depth of the speaker's love and devotion.
In conclusion, this excerpt from Sonnet 79 of Edmund Spenser's "Amoretti" captures a moment of awakening and renewed radiance. Through the imagery of stars and the classical reference to Hesperus, Spenser conveys the beauty and illumination of his beloved, celebrating the depth of his admiration and love. This sonnet reflects the broader themes of idealized love and emotional connection that characterize the "Amoretti" sequence, making it a timeless expression of romantic devotion.