Edmund Spenser’s Amoretti, a sequence of 89 sonnets published in 1595, is one of the most significant works of the Elizabethan period. Written primarily as a courtship narrative dedicated to his future wife, Elizabeth Boyle, Amoretti charts the complexities of love, desire, rejection, and, ultimately, marriage. Unlike many of his contemporaries who emphasized unrequited love or distant admiration in their sonnets, Spenser offers a refreshing deviation, celebrating both the spiritual and physical union that culminates in marriage. His work is notable for its thematic diversity, encompassing not only the highs and lows of romantic love but also the spiritual underpinnings of human relationships, set against the moral and religious backdrop of Elizabethan England.
In this article, we will delve deep into the rich textures of Amoretti, providing a summary and analysis of the sonnet sequence, a detailed examination of the characters and their symbolic meanings, and an exploration of the key themes that shape the work.
Summary and Analysis of Amoretti
Amoretti begins as a typical sonnet sequence in the Petrarchan tradition, with the poet expressing admiration for his beloved. The early sonnets focus on the physical beauty of Elizabeth Boyle, often praising her eyes, her face, and her overall grace. However, as the sequence progresses, Spenser deviates from the conventional Petrarchan model, especially in his treatment of love and its ultimate goal. Rather than presenting his love as unattainable or doomed to remain unconsummated, Spenser portrays a more grounded and realistic depiction of courtship, where the beloved is both desirable and accessible.
The narrative of Amoretti can be divided into three primary phases: courtship, rejection, and resolution.
Courtship Phase (Sonnets 1–35)
The initial sonnets introduce the speaker’s admiration for his beloved, focusing on her outward beauty and virtues. In Sonnet 1, Spenser introduces his lady as an object of reverence, but rather than indulging in mere flattery, the sonnet implies a deeper, spiritual connection between the poet and his muse. The poet seeks approval not just from his beloved but from divine forces, establishing an elevated tone. As we move through the next series of sonnets, Spenser explores the intense feelings of admiration and longing associated with courtship.
For instance, Sonnet 15 famously depicts the lady’s beauty in terms of natural imagery, likening her to precious jewels and flowers: “Ye tradefull Merchants, that with weary toil / Do seek most precious things to make your gain.” This emphasis on the comparison between his beloved and nature sets the tone for much of Amoretti. Spenser presents love as an experience that transcends material wealth and instead connects directly with the grandeur of the natural world.
Rejection Phase (Sonnets 36–75)
As with many courtship narratives, Spenser includes a period of rejection or emotional turmoil. Sonnets 36–75 cover the period when the speaker faces resistance from his beloved. Sonnet 37 reflects the speaker’s pain and confusion as he is kept at a distance by his beloved: “What guyle is this, that those her golden tresses / She doth attyre under a net of gold.” His lady seems to elude him, and his frustrations grow.
Spenser masterfully conveys this emotional shift through the use of imagery and structure. The contrast between the earlier sonnets, which are more celebratory and harmonious, and the sonnets during the rejection phase is stark. The poet often conveys his pain using metaphors of entrapment and isolation. Yet, even in these moments of rejection, there is hope that the relationship will eventually bloom. The speaker is not entirely hopeless; instead, he believes that perseverance and faith will lead to the eventual union.
Resolution Phase (Sonnets 76–89)
In the final sonnets, we witness a turning point where love is ultimately reciprocated, and the courtship culminates in marriage. Sonnet 79 is notable for its shift in tone as the speaker now emphasizes the spiritual beauty of his beloved over her physical attributes: “Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it, / For that your selfe ye dayly such doe see.” The poet here acknowledges the transient nature of physical beauty and elevates his love by focusing on inner, moral, and spiritual qualities.
The sequence concludes with a sense of victory and fulfillment. Spenser successfully transitions from longing and frustration to a more profound and enduring bond. Sonnet 89 brings the sequence to a triumphant end, celebrating the forthcoming marriage and the eternal union of two souls. This is symbolically significant, as Spenser ends Amoretti with an emphasis on spiritual fulfillment rather than mere physical desire.
Character Analysis
Amoretti, despite being a sonnet sequence and thus lacking traditional “characters” in the sense of a novel or play, contains two central figures: the speaker (presumed to be Spenser himself) and his beloved (Elizabeth Boyle). However, Spenser crafts these figures as both real people and symbolic representations of larger ideas, such as love, virtue, and the divine.
The Speaker (Edmund Spenser)
The speaker of Amoretti is, in many ways, Spenser’s poetic persona. He is not merely a lover expressing his feelings but a complex character negotiating the tensions between physical desire, spiritual love, and social propriety. Throughout the sequence, the speaker is portrayed as a man of deep moral and spiritual conviction. His pursuit of his beloved is not just about personal fulfillment but also about aligning his love with the ideals of Christian faith.
The speaker’s emotional journey is central to the sequence. He begins as an ardent lover, filled with passion and admiration, but soon encounters the frustrations of rejection. This rejection, however, does not lead to despair; instead, the speaker continues to believe in the possibility of a union that transcends mere physical attraction. His ultimate triumph is not just winning the love of his beloved but achieving a relationship grounded in both spiritual and emotional depth.
Elizabeth Boyle (The Beloved)
Elizabeth Boyle, though the silent object of the speaker’s affection, is a key figure in Amoretti. In many ways, she represents the ideal Elizabethan woman: beautiful, virtuous, and somewhat distant. However, Boyle is more than just a passive figure. Through the sonnets, she exerts a significant influence on the speaker’s emotional and spiritual growth. Her rejection serves as a test of the speaker’s resolve and helps him transcend mere physical desire, forcing him to confront deeper questions about love, virtue, and faith.
Spenser’s portrayal of Boyle is complex. While she is undoubtedly the object of desire, she is also an agent of transformation. Her beauty, while often praised, is ultimately a reflection of her inner virtue. By the end of the sequence, she is no longer an unattainable ideal but a partner in a union that is both earthly and divine.
Themes in Amoretti
Spenser’s Amoretti is rich in themes that reflect both the personal and cultural contexts of the time. Below are some of the key themes that shape the sonnet sequence:
1. Love and Courtship
At the heart of Amoretti is the theme of love, specifically romantic love and the process of courtship. Unlike many other Elizabethan sonnets, which focus on unattainable or unrequited love, Amoretti offers a narrative of hope and eventual fulfillment. Spenser portrays love as a multifaceted experience that involves not only physical attraction but also emotional and spiritual connections. The progression from admiration to rejection to marriage mirrors the natural stages of a romantic relationship, making Amoretti a celebration of love in all its complexity.
2. Beauty and Virtue
One of the central tensions in Amoretti is the relationship between physical beauty and inner virtue. In the early sonnets, the speaker is captivated by the outward beauty of his beloved, often describing her in terms of precious gems and natural imagery. However, as the sequence progresses, the speaker becomes more concerned with her inner qualities, particularly her virtue and moral character. By the end of the sequence, it is clear that Spenser values inner beauty over outward appearance, a theme that reflects the influence of Christian theology on his poetry.
Sonnets like 79 explicitly articulate this shift, with the speaker acknowledging that true beauty is not skin deep but lies in the moral and spiritual realm. This theme aligns with the Renaissance ideal of virtus, where moral excellence was seen as a form of beauty.
3. Spirituality and Divine Love
Another important theme in Amoretti is the connection between earthly love and divine love. Throughout the sonnet sequence, the speaker frequently refers to religious imagery and concepts, suggesting that his love for his beloved is not merely physical but also spiritual. For Spenser, the love between a man and a woman is a reflection of God’s love for humanity. The union of marriage is thus seen as a sacred act that mirrors the divine union of Christ and the Church.
This theme is especially evident in the final sonnets, where the speaker’s love for his beloved is portrayed as part of a larger, spiritual journey. The emphasis on marriage as a holy and eternal bond reflects Spenser’s belief in the sanctity of the institution and its spiritual significance.
4. Time and Mortality
The theme of time is subtly woven throughout Amoretti, particularly in relation to beauty and love. While the speaker initially fixates on the physical beauty of his beloved, he is aware that such beauty is fleeting. Time, with its inevitable passage, will erode outward appearances. This recognition forces the speaker to seek something more enduring – the inner beauty and virtue of his beloved.
In this sense, Amoretti is also a meditation on mortality. The sonnet sequence suggests that while physical beauty may fade, love that is grounded in virtue and spiritual connection will endure beyond the constraints of time.
5. The Role of Poetry
Throughout Amoretti, Spenser is keenly aware of the power of poetry to immortalize both love and beauty. Several sonnets emphasize the ability of verse to transcend time and preserve the beloved’s beauty for future generations. Sonnet 75, in particular, is one of the most famous examples of this theme. In this poem, the speaker writes his beloved’s name in the sand, only to have it washed away by the tide. However, he declares that his verses will eternalize her beauty and their love: “My verse your vertues rare shall eternize.”
This theme reflects the broader Renaissance belief in the enduring power of art and literature. Through his poetry, Spenser aims to achieve a form of immortality, both for himself and for his beloved.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Amoretti
Amoretti remains one of Edmund Spenser’s most beloved and studied works, celebrated for its rich exploration of love, virtue, and spirituality. Through the sonnet sequence, Spenser offers a nuanced portrayal of courtship that deviates from the traditional Petrarchan model. Rather than focusing on unrequited love, Spenser celebrates the possibility of a fulfilled, married life grounded in both physical and spiritual union.
The complex interplay between beauty and virtue, the progression from desire to spiritual fulfillment, and the enduring power of poetry to transcend time make Amoretti a remarkable work of Renaissance literature. At its heart, Spenser’s sonnet sequence is a celebration of the transformative power of love – a force that not only unites individuals but also elevates them to a higher moral and spiritual plane.
Through Amoretti, Spenser left a legacy that continues to resonate with readers, reminding us of the timeless nature of love, the enduring importance of virtue, and the profound connections between the earthly and the divine.
