Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Parting
The Parting
In a sonnet, the rhythm is always iambic pentameter, which means that there must
always be ten syllables per line, with each second syllable being stressed and the
author breaks this pattern. Besides, to the constraints of the number of lines, because
of which the poem is compressed, simplifying the poem’s purpose, and enhances it.
For example, in the first line, “SINCE there’s no help, come let us kiss and part— ”
there should be no stress on the third syllable, but the author has written the poem so
that there is, stressing the “no” and giving weight to the preciseness of the first two
quatrains. The author again breaks the rhythm in the last two lines that are ” —Now if
thou would’st, when all have given him over, From death to life thou might’st him yet
recover.” using eleven syllables instead of ten. This is not a blunder or an accident, it
has been done for one of two purposes; to add importance to these lines because it
appears out of place due to their length, or because the poet thought that he clearly
could not sum up his feelings in the eleven syllables that the conventional sonnet
allows him. When looking at the rhythm, we should look not only at the line length
but also at the rhyme scheme. In the first two quatrains, the rhyme words are very
harsh, distancing the author from the poem. For example, there are the very harsh
consonant sounds of “part” and “heart”, However, in the third quatrain, there are much
softer sounds, such as “breath”, “death”, “lies” and “eyes”. The harsh ‘r’s and ‘t’s are
replaced by softer ‘th’s and ‘s’s. This pattern is mirrored throughout the poem; in the
first two quatrains.
The structure of the sonnet has considerably added to the essence of the poem. In
perfecting the poem to suit the constraints, the poet has illuminated the message and
intensified the sense of what he is trying to say. Besides, where the poet for some
purpose breaks the rules of the poem which adds more meaning to the poem,
highlighting specific elements and making other parts exceptional.
The sonnet opens with the speaker acknowledging the inevitability of parting. They express
their understanding that all good things must come to an end, and even the most passionate
love affairs are subject to the passage of time.
The speaker then delves into describing the pain and sorrow of parting. They emphasize the
difficulty of saying goodbye and express their desire for the farewell to be as brief and
painless as possible. The speaker longs for a quick separation to alleviate the anguish of the
impending departure.
As the sonnet progresses, the speaker reflects on the significance of the love they have shared
with their companion. They describe their love as unique and extraordinary, something that
cannot be replicated or replaced. The speaker cherishes the memories of their time together
and recognizes the profound impact their loved one has had on their life.
In the final lines of the sonnet, the speaker expresses their hope that the love they shared will
endure, even in the face of physical separation. They affirm that despite the pain of parting,
their love will remain steadfast and unwavering.
“The Parting” is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of the emotions associated with saying
goodbye. It reflects on the bittersweet nature of parting and the enduring power of love.
Drayton’s use of language and imagery captures the essence of longing, loss, and the
resilience of the human spirit in the face of separation.