Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Masefield's sonnet, "Go, spend your penny, beauty, when you will," was published in his collection of poems, "Salt-Water Ballads," in 1902. Masefield was a British poet and writer who became the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1930.

During the early 1900s, Masefield worked as a merchant seaman and his experiences at sea heavily influenced his poetry. His work often focused on themes of adventure, the sea, and the beauty of nature.

Content: The poem's first line, "Go, spend your penny, beauty, when you will," suggests that beauty is something that can be bought or traded, but ultimately it cannot be kept forever. The sonnet goes on to describe the beauty of the natural world, with imagery of stars, the sea, and flowers. In this sonnet, Masefield addresses beauty as a personified entity, urging it to be enjoyed in the present moment rather than being hoarded for the future. He encourages the reader to seize the opportunity to indulge in beauty when it is available, as it may not always be accessible. Overall, the poem presents a melancholy yet hopeful message about the importance of cherishing beauty in the moment, despite its inevitable loss.

Form: The poem follows the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and the poem is written in iambic pentameter.

Poetic Elements: The personification of beauty is a prominent element in the poem, as Masefield urges the reader to engage with beauty as if it were a living being. The use of imagery is also notable, with the metaphor of spending a penny used to represent indulging in beauty. Additionally, the poem employs a rhetorical question in the final couplet, emphasizing the importance of appreciating beauty in the present moment.

Summary: Masefield's sonnet presents a timeless message about the importance of enjoying beauty in the present moment, rather than waiting for some unspecified future time. The use of personification and metaphor creates a vivid image of beauty as a tangible thing that can be seized and enjoyed. Overall, the poem's structure, language, and message work together to create a memorable and impactful piece of poetry.

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