Sonnet XX, Les Amours de Cassandre, Pierre de Ronsard Commentary
In the course of this piece, Ronsard presents many interesting themes through the use of literary device and classical metaphor while maintaining the strict form of the sonnet. The main themes read from this piece include the importance of physical, surface beauty, the use of classical references to confer strong feelings of love towards Cassandra and the way in which, throughout the sonnet, the author’s writing is very reflective of an extremely high self opinion. In the course of this essay, through close examination of the text, I will focus on the latter theme; discussing how this piece is potentially very revealing of not only the author’s self image but of his personality …show more content…
Making the choice the reference this legend in a sonnet about his love for Cassandra is deeply disturbing as it is a blatant expression of his desire to have a sexual relationship with her but to do so by force. This could be read as Ronsard merely wanting to create a beautiful, vivid image, indicated by his repeated use of colour in this metaphor, to describe his love for Cassandra. Moreover, in referencing this legend about the classical Gods, perhaps the author sought to give his love for Cassandra a relationship with divine entities. Furthermore, this section of metaphor in the sonnet appears to point out that his love is so powerful and magical that it is able to transcend the physical boundaries that may be between the lovers, such as distance or, disturbingly, her own resistance to him. However the final line of the stanza the author writes that he would wish to become this shower of gold upon Cassandra “Lors qu 'en ses yeux le somme va glissant” (l. 4). To want to have sexual relations with someone who is falling asleep or sleeping is not the loving, consensual image that the author seems to attempt to make it, but rather a sexual assault, an expression of his desire to please himself, while remaining completely oblivious to his apparent beloved’s state or wishes. Thus, he, although …show more content…
By giving Cassandra the role of the “fontaine” in the myth, the artist-muse relationship that Ronsard clearly sees between himself and Cassandra is indicated. As she is the “fontaine” in which his beloved reflection is seen, Ronsard is suggesting that he has fallen in love, not with Cassandra but, with the reflection of his own “brilliance” that he sees reflected back at him from her. He is writing this sonnet supposedly dedicated to her, however this profession of love and creativity can arguably be seen to be devoted merely to the inspiration he draws from her, more specifically from her physical beauty and the evident sexual feelings he has for her, and thus that she is simply another tool that he uses to write and create his
In the course of this piece, Ronsard presents many interesting themes through the use of literary device and classical metaphor while maintaining the strict form of the sonnet. The main themes read from this piece include the importance of physical, surface beauty, the use of classical references to confer strong feelings of love towards Cassandra and the way in which, throughout the sonnet, the author’s writing is very reflective of an extremely high self opinion. In the course of this essay, through close examination of the text, I will focus on the latter theme; discussing how this piece is potentially very revealing of not only the author’s self image but of his personality …show more content…
Making the choice the reference this legend in a sonnet about his love for Cassandra is deeply disturbing as it is a blatant expression of his desire to have a sexual relationship with her but to do so by force. This could be read as Ronsard merely wanting to create a beautiful, vivid image, indicated by his repeated use of colour in this metaphor, to describe his love for Cassandra. Moreover, in referencing this legend about the classical Gods, perhaps the author sought to give his love for Cassandra a relationship with divine entities. Furthermore, this section of metaphor in the sonnet appears to point out that his love is so powerful and magical that it is able to transcend the physical boundaries that may be between the lovers, such as distance or, disturbingly, her own resistance to him. However the final line of the stanza the author writes that he would wish to become this shower of gold upon Cassandra “Lors qu 'en ses yeux le somme va glissant” (l. 4). To want to have sexual relations with someone who is falling asleep or sleeping is not the loving, consensual image that the author seems to attempt to make it, but rather a sexual assault, an expression of his desire to please himself, while remaining completely oblivious to his apparent beloved’s state or wishes. Thus, he, although …show more content…
By giving Cassandra the role of the “fontaine” in the myth, the artist-muse relationship that Ronsard clearly sees between himself and Cassandra is indicated. As she is the “fontaine” in which his beloved reflection is seen, Ronsard is suggesting that he has fallen in love, not with Cassandra but, with the reflection of his own “brilliance” that he sees reflected back at him from her. He is writing this sonnet supposedly dedicated to her, however this profession of love and creativity can arguably be seen to be devoted merely to the inspiration he draws from her, more specifically from her physical beauty and the evident sexual feelings he has for her, and thus that she is simply another tool that he uses to write and create his