Comparative Study of Sonnets of Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey: The Evolution of Verse in English Poetry

1. Introduction:

The Renaissance period witnessed a profound transformation in English poetry, with poets seeking inspiration from various literary traditions across Europe. Sir Thomas Wyatt and the lesser-known poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, are considered pioneers of this poetic revolution in England. While Wyatt adapted Petrarch and Petrarchanism to English sounds and meters, Henry Howard's verse took a different trajectory, looking back beyond Petrarchian Latin Vulgate  to the Latin verse. As that of Sanskrit and modern Hindi, Latin and Italian or the  Latin Vulgate has a close relationship. Latin has a rich literary history, with many classical works of literature, philosophy, and science written in this language. Italian or Latin Vulgate also has a significant literary heritage, with works by Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio contributing to the development of European literature. This essay explores the distinct approaches of Wyatt and Surrey, their influences, and the impact of their innovations on the development of English poetry.

2. Petrarchan Influence on Wyatt's Verse

Sir Thomas Wyatt, a prominent figure in the English Renaissance, was deeply influenced by the Italian poet Petrarch and his sonnet form. Petrarchan sonnets, with their 14-line structure and intricate rhyme scheme, captivated Wyatt, who sought to adapt this poetic style to the English language. He introduced the sonnet form to England, ushering in a new era of sonneteers who would follow in his footsteps. Wyatt's sonnets reflected the themes of love, desire, and unrequited passion, mirroring Petrarch's focus on these sentiments in his own works. For example, his poem "The Long Love that in My Thought Doth Harbour" exemplifies Wyatt's adherence to the Petrarchan tradition through its thematic exploration, structure, and emotional resonance:

"The Long Love that in My Thought Doth Harbour"

The long love | that in | my thought | doth har- | bour

And in | mine heart | doth keep | his res- | idence,

In- | to my | face press- | eth with | bold pre- | tence

And there- | in cam- | peth, spread- | ing his | ban- | ner.

She | that me | learn- | eth to | love and | suf- | fer

And will | that my | trust and | lust’s neg- | li- | gence

Be | rayned | by rea- | son, shame, | and rev- | er- | ence,

With his | hardi- | ness tak- | eth dis- | plea- | sure.

Where- | withal | un- | to the | heart's for- | est he | fleeth,

Leav- | ing his | en- | ter- | prise with | pain and | cry,

And there | him hid- | eth and | not ap- | pear- | eth.

What | may I | do, when | my mas- | ter fea- | reth

But in | the field | with him | to live | and die?

For | good is | the life | end- | ing faith- | ful- | ly.

(In this prosodic scan, I've marked the stressed syllables with | and the unstressed syllables without any additional markings. This scan helps illustrate the poem's metrical pattern, which consists of lines written predominantly in iambic pentameter, the hallmark of many sonnets.)

2.1. Thematic Exploration:

In this sonnet, Wyatt encapsulates the Petrarchan theme of unrequited love and the inner turmoil it engenders. The speaker grapples with an enduring love that resides in his thoughts and heart, pressing upon his countenance with audacious persistence. This theme mirrors Petrarch's longing for the unattainable Laura and underscores the universal struggle of reconciling desire and reason.

2.2. Structure and Form:

Wyatt adheres to the Petrarchan sonnet structure, a hallmark of his craftsmanship. The poem comprises an octave that establishes the predicament and a sestet that offers a resolution or contemplation. The octave details the forceful presence of love within the speaker, while the sestet explores the emotional complexities and consequences of this love.

2.3. Emotional Resonance:

The emotional depth of Wyatt's poetry aligns with the Petrarchan tradition. The speaker's inner conflict and yearning evoke a raw sense of vulnerability, reminiscent of Petrarch's own emotional intensity. Wyatt's portrayal of love as a persistent force that influences both his inner thoughts and outward demeanor echoes Petrarch's exploration of the emotional impact of unattainable love.

3. Petrarch to Latin: Surrey's Unique Path

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, embraced a different poetic approach. While he was also inspired by Petrarch, his verse tended to look beyond the Italian poet's influence and drive into the world of Latin poetry. In particular, Surrey looked to Horace and the Latin elegiac tradition, adapting these classical forms to the English language. He introduced the English sonnet, a modification of the Italian and Petrarchan forms, which featured three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet. Surrey's verse displayed a more restrained and classical style, employing themes of nature, moral philosophy, and political commentary.

Surrey's poem "Love That Doth Reign And Live" demonstrates Surrey's adeptness at adapting classical elements into his English sonnets through its thematic depth, structure, and use of imagery:

"Love That Doth Reign And Live"

Love | that doth | reign and | live with- | in my | thought

And | built his | seat with- | in my | cap- | tive | breast,

Clad | in the | arms where- | in with | me he | fought,

Oft | in my | face he | doth his | ban- | ner | rest.

But | she that | taught me | love and | suf- | fer | pain,

My | doubt- | ful hope | and eke | my hot | de- | sire

With | shame- | fast look | to sha- | dow and | re- | frain,

Her | smil- | ing grace | con- | vert- | eth straight | to ire.

And | cow- | ard Love | then to | the heart | a- | pace

Take- | th his | flight, where | he doth | lurk and | plain

His | pur- | pose lost, | and dare | not show | his | face.

For | my lord's | guilt thus | fault- | less bide | I | pain;

Yet | from my | lord shall | not my | foot re- | move:

Sweet | is the | death that | tak- | eth end | by | love.

3.1. Thematic Resonance:

Surrey's poem exemplifies the classical Latin tradition by exploring themes of love, honor, and internal conflict. The concept of love reigning within one's thoughts echoes the ideals of Roman poetry that often delved into the complexities of emotion and desire. The portrayal of love as both a powerful force and a source of internal turmoil mirrors the classical Roman treatment of love in poetry.

3.2. Structure and Form:

The poem adheres to the sonnet structure, a form that gained popularity in English poetry through its association with Petrarch. The octave establishes the theme of love's influence and its impact on the speaker, while the sestet shifts to the consequences of love's transformation. This structure parallels the Roman elegiac couplet's division into two parts, often used for presenting a theme and its resolution.

3.3. Use of Imagery:

Surrey's imagery, such as the description of Love clad in arms, resembles the vivid imagery often found in classical Roman poetry. The use of military imagery for describing love's presence harkens back to the heroic themes present in works like Virgil's "Aeneid." The contrast between love's initial dominance and its eventual retreat resonates with the dichotomies prevalent in classical poetry.

4. The Impact on English Poetry

Both of Wyatt and Surrey hold the distinction of being the pioneers in introducing the sonnet to English literature. Howard, notably, employed this form in his translation of the second and third books of Virgil's Aeneid, opting for blank verse composed of five iambic feet. This marked the initial utilization of such a structure in the English language. In 1557, forty of his poems were published after his death in a collection titled "Songs and Sonettes, Written by the Ryght Honorable Lorde Henry Howard, Late Earle of Surrey, and Others." During the same year, his English translations of Virgil's works were also published as "Certain Bokes of Virgiles Aeneis Turned into English Meter."

The contrasting approaches of Wyatt and Surrey had a profound impact on the trajectory of English poetry during the Renaissance. Wyatt's adoption of the Petrarchan sonnet form inspired a generation of English sonneteers, including William Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser, who would go on to become some of the greatest poets in English literature. The sonnet form became a prominent vehicle for expressing love, emotion, and introspection, gaining popularity and enduring throughout the centuries.

In contrast, Surrey's revival of the classical Latin verse and his introduction of the English sonnet paved the way for a more refined and structured poetic tradition. His work influenced poets like Philip Sidney and the Elizabethan poets, leading to the development of a more controlled and sophisticated style of poetry. The English sonnet, with its elegiac themes and strict rhyme scheme, offered poets new possibilities for expressing their thoughts and feelings.

5. Conclusion:

Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, played pivotal roles in the evolution of English poetry during the Renaissance. While Wyatt adapted Petrarch and Petrarchanism to the English language, Surrey looked back beyond Petrarch to the Latin verse, reviving classical forms for English poetry. Their contributions laid the foundation for the golden age of English literature and influenced generations of poets to come. The enduring legacy of their poetic innovations continues to inspire poets and captivate readers to this day.

(Foot Notes:  Latin and Italian 

Origin and Development:

Latin: Latin is an ancient language that originated in the Italian Peninsula. It was the language of the Roman Empire and had a significant influence on the development of many modern European languages.

Italian: Italian evolved from Vulgar Latin, which was spoken by the common people during the Roman Empire. Over time, Vulgar Latin developed into various regional dialects, eventually leading to the formation of modern Italian.

Usage and Context:

Latin: Latin was primarily used as a literary and scholarly language during the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. It is no longer a spoken language in daily life.

Italian: Italian is a living language and is spoken by millions of people as their native tongue. It is used for everyday communication, literature, media, and more.

Literary Significance:

Latin: Latin has a rich literary history, with many classical works of literature, philosophy, and science written in this language.

Italian: Italian also has a significant literary heritage, with works by Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio contributing to the development of European literature.)

Ardhendu De

References

The Poems of Henry Howard Earl of Surrey : Surrey, Henry Howard, Earl of, 1517?-1547 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/henryh00surr

The poetical works of Sir Thomas Wyatt : Wyatt, Thomas, Sir, 1503?-1542 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/poeticalworkssi00pickgoog