Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edmund William Gosse was a British poet and critic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Beatrice" was published in his 1890 collection "On Viol and Flute" and is a sonnet dedicated to Beatrice Portinari, the muse of Italian poet Dante Alighieri.

Content:

The poem "Beatrice" is a tribute to the beauty and virtue of Beatrice, as imagined by Dante in his Divine Comedy. The speaker praises Beatrice's spiritual qualities, describing her as a "holy light" and "heavenly love." The poem also references Dante's own devotion to Beatrice, who served as his inspiration and guide in the Divine Comedy.

Form:

"Beatrice" is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter. The poem follows the traditional Italian form, with an octave (eight-line stanza) followed by a sestet (six-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, with a volta (turn) between the octave and sestet.

Poetic Elements:

The poem makes use of several poetic devices, including alliteration (e.g. "tho' Dante's hands"), metaphors (e.g. "holy light," "heavenly love"), and repetition (e.g. "O Beatrice! O star above"). The language is elevated and lyrical, evoking the spiritual and otherworldly qualities of Beatrice.

Summary:

"Beatrice" is a well-crafted and deeply reverent tribute to a literary figure who has captivated poets and artists for centuries. Gosse's use of language and form captures the ethereal quality of Dante's muse, and his admiration for Beatrice shines through in every line. The poem's relevance to contemporary readers may be limited by its subject matter, but it remains a powerful example of the enduring influence of Dante and his work.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...