Comparative Study of Sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, both prominent figures in the English Renaissance, played a significant role in introducing the sonnet form to English literature. Their contributions have left a lasting impact on the development of English poetry. Their sonnets  mark the earliest examples of the English sonnet form, heavily influenced by the Italian poet Petrarch. Their contributions laid a foundation for English Renaissance poetry, yet each poet brought distinct features to his work. A comparative analysis of their sonnets reveals both similarities and differences in their themes, styles, and innovations.

Themes:

Wyatt often conveys a sense of personal struggle, disillusionment, and melancholy, reflecting on themes of unattainable love, betrayal, and disappointment. His poems sometimes suggest political undertones, especially given his position at the court of Henry VIII. His sonnets often explore the complexities of love, with an emphasis on unrequited or lost love. He frequently employs themes of longing, betrayal, and emotional turmoil. Many of Wyatt's sonnets are introspective and self-reflective, delving into the speaker's emotional struggles and inner conflicts.

Surrey's sonnets also delve into love, but his approach is more refined. His poems express a sense of courtly love, focusing on the admiration and idealization of a beloved.  He brought a certain grace and smoothness to the themes of love, employing nature as a metaphor for human emotion. Surrey's sonnets tend to have a more external focus, often praising the beauty and virtues of the beloved, with a touch of personal emotion.

Example:

• In Wyatt’s “I Find No Peace”, adapted from Petrarch, he reflects on the paradoxes of love:

  "I find no peace, and all my war is done;
  I fear and hope, I burn and freeze like ice."

• In Surrey’s “A Complaint by Night of the Lover Not Beloved”, he explores unrequited love:

  "Alas! so all things now do hold their peace:
  Heaven and earth disturbed in no thing."

Language and Imagery:

Wyatt used direct and sometimes terse language, reflecting the complexity and tension of his emotions. His language tends to be more abrupt, with stark imagery that emphasizes conflict and inner turmoil.His diction can be raw and visceral, conveying the intensity of his feelings.Wyatt employs vivid imagery and metaphors drawn from nature and everyday life to convey his emotions and experiences.

Surrey employed more polished, refined language. His imagery is often pastoral, with nature symbols like flowers and streams that reflect both beauty and emotion. His diction reflects his aristocratic background and courtly demeanor.Surrey's imagery is characterized by its elegance and sophistication, often drawing on mythological references and elaborate comparisons.

Example:

• Wyatt’s “Farewell Love”:

  "Farewell, love, and all thy laws for ever;
  Thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more."

• Surrey’s “Description of Spring”:

  "The year is young, the winter fresh and fair;
  The songbirds sing with joy to greet the day."

Introducing the Sonnet Form:

Wyatt is Often credited with introducing the sonnet form to English literature. Wyatt introduced the Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet form to English literature, consisting of an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). His rhyme schemes were often complex and experimented within the Petrarchan tradition, but he sometimes struggled with the constraints of the English language, which affected the fluency of his meter.

Surrey followed Wyatt's lead and continued to develop the English sonnet, establishing the rhyme scheme that later became known as the Shakespearean or English sonnet. Surrey refined the sonnet form and developed what became known as the English or Shakespearean sonnet structure: three quatrains followed by a concluding couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Surrey’s verse flows more smoothly, paving the way for later poets like Shakespeare.

Example:

• Wyatt's “Whoso List to Hunt”:

  "Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
  But as for me, alas, I may no more."

• Surrey’s “The Soote Season”:

  "The soote season, that bud and bloom forth brings,
  With green hath clad the hill, and eke the vale."

Conclusion:

The sonnets of Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, exhibit distinct characteristics while sharing common threads of love, emotional exploration, and poetic innovation. Wyatt's raw emotion and introspection contrast with Surrey's polished courtly expression. Their combined efforts paved the way for the evolution of the sonnet in English literature, setting the stage for later poets like Shakespeare to further shape and enrich the form.