That wonder is how I should live a jot,
Seeing my hart through--launched everywhere
With thousand arrowes, which your eyes have shot:
The provided lines are from a sonnet written by Sir Philip Sidney, a renowned English poet and courtier of the Elizabethan era. This sonnet is part of his larger work titled "Astrophil and Stella," which is a sequence of 108 sonnets and 11 songs, all interconnected and exploring the theme of unrequited love.
In these lines, the speaker, Astrophil, is expressing his profound wonderment at the state of his heart. To understand the context of these lines, it's essential to consider the broader narrative of the "Astrophil and Stella" sequence and the themes that Sidney explores.
Context of "Astrophil and Stella": The "Astrophil and Stella" sonnet sequence revolves around the unrequited love of the speaker, Astrophil (which means "star-lover" in Greek), for a woman named Stella (meaning "star" in Latin). The woman, Stella, is portrayed as beautiful and unattainable, and Astrophil's unrequited love becomes a central theme in the sequence. Throughout the sonnets, Astrophil grapples with his intense feelings, frustration, and desire for Stella, who remains distant and resistant to his advances.
Analysis of the Lines: In the lines provided, Astrophil expresses a sense of astonishment and bewilderment at the condition of his heart. He likens his heart to a ship ("hart through--launched") that has been launched or set afloat on the sea of love, and this sea is described as being filled with "thousand arrowes." These arrows, he explains, have been shot by Stella's eyes.
The arrows metaphorically represent the emotional and psychological impact of Stella's gaze on Astrophil. Her eyes, through their captivating beauty or perhaps their indifference, have struck him deeply and wounded his heart. The use of the word "thousand" emphasizes the multitude of emotions and desires that Stella's eyes have ignited within him. It's a poetic way of expressing the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of his love for her.
The word "jot" in the first line means a small amount or the tiniest part. Here, Astrophil is pondering how he can continue to exist or endure even the slightest bit when his heart has been so profoundly affected by Stella's gaze. His wonderment arises from the paradox of experiencing such intense emotions while also feeling powerless in the face of unrequited love.
These lines capture a moment of vulnerability and reflection in Astrophil's emotional journey. They highlight the torment of his unfulfilled desire for Stella and the profound impact her mere presence, or even just her gaze, has had on him. The "Astrophil and Stella" sequence as a whole is a poetic exploration of the complexities of love, desire, and the human heart, and these lines provide a glimpse into Astrophil's inner turmoil and the power of Stella's beauty and presence in his life.
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