Mutability and Permanance: An Analytical Exploration of Epigrams 4-6 in Spenser’s Translations of Theatre for Worldlings
Reading literature by Edmund Spenser requires a keen eye and a willingness to investigate beyond the text. You are not simply able to read Spenser and somehow acquire what each line means as a first-time reader of his works. Reading Spenser peaks ones’ interest to explore common themes, similarities, imagery, and the allusions which bring forward the meaning behind the text. By closely analyzing epigrams 4, 5, and 6 from a Theatre for Worldlings, I will explore and uncover how Spenser reflects on destruction and mutability of natural spaces and “worldly things” in his poetry.
First off, it is essential to understand the …show more content…
The speaker indicates that he or she sees a Phoenix in the woods: “I saw a Phoenix in the wood alone” (Spenser 1). The speaker is alone again and notices a phoenix which alludes towards Greek mythology. The phoenix appears to be majestic as we take notice of the “purple wings” and “crest of golden hew” which further emphasizes the grandness and uniqueness of the bird. Even though the phoenix is a mythological figure, the bird can also be associated with nature in the real world. As the speaker watches the bird, he comments, “Straunge birde he was, whereby I thought anone, / That of some heauenly wight I had the vew” (Spenser 3-4). The speaker begins to admire the bird and its strength which shows how the speaker is being vain. The speaker compares the sight of the bird to a view of heaven. However, we begin to question natural and mythological things in Spenser’s work because we notice the connection between reality and an idealized reality. The speaker then states, “Vntill he came vnto the broken tree / And to the spring that deuoured was,” which is a reminder to the reader to question your morals and choices and life. The speaker informs us that even this grand majestic phoenix is not indestructible or imperishable in the world. When we think of a phoenix, we associate it with its mythological characteristics and we assume that it will rise from the ashes. However, that is not the case in this instance. The speaker states, “What say I more? Eche thing at length we see / Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas” (Spenser 7-8). The speaker points out that everything that we see will eventually die in this world. The scene of the phoenix leaves an impression on the speaker but then reality sets in again and the speaker has a dismal tone which emphasizes the need for people to turn towards religion. The speaker indicates how mutable nature and life is as he describes the death of
Reading literature by Edmund Spenser requires a keen eye and a willingness to investigate beyond the text. You are not simply able to read Spenser and somehow acquire what each line means as a first-time reader of his works. Reading Spenser peaks ones’ interest to explore common themes, similarities, imagery, and the allusions which bring forward the meaning behind the text. By closely analyzing epigrams 4, 5, and 6 from a Theatre for Worldlings, I will explore and uncover how Spenser reflects on destruction and mutability of natural spaces and “worldly things” in his poetry.
First off, it is essential to understand the …show more content…
The speaker indicates that he or she sees a Phoenix in the woods: “I saw a Phoenix in the wood alone” (Spenser 1). The speaker is alone again and notices a phoenix which alludes towards Greek mythology. The phoenix appears to be majestic as we take notice of the “purple wings” and “crest of golden hew” which further emphasizes the grandness and uniqueness of the bird. Even though the phoenix is a mythological figure, the bird can also be associated with nature in the real world. As the speaker watches the bird, he comments, “Straunge birde he was, whereby I thought anone, / That of some heauenly wight I had the vew” (Spenser 3-4). The speaker begins to admire the bird and its strength which shows how the speaker is being vain. The speaker compares the sight of the bird to a view of heaven. However, we begin to question natural and mythological things in Spenser’s work because we notice the connection between reality and an idealized reality. The speaker then states, “Vntill he came vnto the broken tree / And to the spring that deuoured was,” which is a reminder to the reader to question your morals and choices and life. The speaker informs us that even this grand majestic phoenix is not indestructible or imperishable in the world. When we think of a phoenix, we associate it with its mythological characteristics and we assume that it will rise from the ashes. However, that is not the case in this instance. The speaker states, “What say I more? Eche thing at length we see / Doth passe away: the Phoenix there, alas” (Spenser 7-8). The speaker points out that everything that we see will eventually die in this world. The scene of the phoenix leaves an impression on the speaker but then reality sets in again and the speaker has a dismal tone which emphasizes the need for people to turn towards religion. The speaker indicates how mutable nature and life is as he describes the death of