Welcome to an exploration of one of the most poignant and enduring poems in literary history, Petrarch’s “Laura.” This sonnet, a jewel from his celebrated Canzoniere, invites readers into a world where the vibrant beauty of spring starkly contrasts with the profound sorrow of the human heart. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning, the masterful use of language, and the timeless emotional resonance that make “Laura” a truly unforgettable piece.
Laura
By Petrarch
Translated by Pierre F. Goodrich
Again with gladsome feet Zephyr returns
Mid grass and flowers, his goodly family
And Procne chatters, Philomela mourns,
While Spring comes forth in all her finery.
The meadows laugh; the skies are bright and fair,
And Aphrodite wins the smile of Jove,
While full of passion is the earth and air
And every creature turns his thoughts to love.
For me, alas! these vernal days are shorn
Of all delight and laden with the sighs
Which from my heart’s recesses she hath torn
Who bore its hopes and pangs to Paradise!
Till birds and flowers and woman’s graces mild
To me are but a desert, stern and wild.
Laura Summary: A Heart’s Lament Amidst Spring’s Joy
Petrarch’s “Laura” is a renowned sonnet that masterfully captures a profound emotional conflict. The poem opens with a vivid celebration of spring’s return. Nature is depicted in full bloom and joyous activity: Zephyr, the west wind, brings life back to the “grass and flowers,” birds like Procne and Philomela sing, and the entire natural world, from “meadows laugh” to the “earth and air,” is filled with “passion” and “love.” Even the gods, Aphrodite and Jove, seem to partake in this universal renewal.
However, the poem takes a dramatic turn in the ninth line. The speaker reveals a deep personal sorrow that stands in stark opposition to the surrounding natural exuberance. For the speaker, these “vernal days are shorn of all delight.” His heart is heavy with “sighs” for a beloved figure, Laura, who has either departed or is unattainable. This profound grief transforms the beauty of spring into a “desert, stern and wild” for him. The central idea of “Laura” is the painful disparity between the external world’s joyful renewal and the speaker’s internal desolation, highlighting the isolating power of unrequited or lost love.
A noteworthy aspect of this poem is that “Laura” is not merely a historical figure but also an idealized representation of beauty and virtue. Her presence, or absence, fuels the speaker’s intense emotional landscape, making the poem a timeless exploration of love’s capacity to both inspire and devastate.
Laura Analysis: Unpacking Poetic Craft and Meaning
Petrarch’s “Laura” is a rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices that contribute to its enduring power. A comprehensive analysis reveals how the poet uses language, structure, and imagery to convey the speaker’s complex emotional state.
Figurative Language in Laura
The poem is replete with figurative language that brings the natural world to life and deepens the speaker’s emotional contrast.
Imagery
Petrarch employs vivid imagery to paint a striking picture of spring’s arrival. Observe the lines:
Again with gladsome feet Zephyr returns
Mid grass and flowers, his goodly family
And Procne chatters, Philomela mourns,
While Spring comes forth in all her finery.
These lines appeal to the senses, allowing readers to visualize the fresh “grass and flowers” and hear the sounds of “Procne chatters” and “Philomela mourns.” The description of “Spring comes forth in all her finery” personifies the season, dressing it in beautiful attire. This initial burst of sensory detail establishes a world brimming with life and joy, setting a powerful stage for the speaker’s subsequent lament.
Personification
Personification is a key literary device in “Laura,” imbuing inanimate objects and abstract concepts with human qualities. Notice how:
The meadows laugh; the skies are bright and fair,
And Aphrodite wins the smile of Jove,
The “meadows laugh,” suggesting a joyful, almost playful response to spring. This human characteristic emphasizes the universal happiness of nature. Similarly, “Spring comes forth in all her finery” gives the season a feminine, elegant presence. This technique makes the natural world a vibrant, active participant in the poem, further intensifying the speaker’s isolation from this collective joy.
Allusion
Petrarch skillfully uses allusion, referencing classical mythology to add depth and timelessness to the poem’s themes. Consider the lines:
And Aphrodite wins the smile of Jove,
While full of passion is the earth and air
And every creature turns his thoughts to love.
The mention of “Aphrodite,” the Greek goddess of love, and “Jove” (Jupiter), the king of the gods, immediately connects the poem’s theme of love to ancient traditions and powerful cosmic forces. This suggests that the love and passion observed in nature are not merely earthly phenomena but are part of a grand, divine order. The speaker’s sorrow, therefore, feels even more profound as it stands against such a universally celebrated force.
Sound and Rhythm in Laura
The musicality of “Laura” is carefully crafted through various sound devices, enhancing its emotional impact.
Assonance and Consonance
The repetition of vowel and consonant sounds contributes to the poem’s melodic quality and reinforces its themes. For instance, the soft, bright /i/ sound in “Mid grass and flowers, his goodly family” creates a gentle, flowing rhythm that mirrors the peaceful return of spring. Conversely, the sibilant /s/ sound in the sestet, such as in “sighs…recesses…she,” can evoke a whispering, sorrowful tone, underscoring the speaker’s lament. These subtle repetitions are not merely ornamental; they subtly guide the reader’s emotional experience.
Enjambment
Petrarch employs enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, to create a sense of continuous thought and emotional flow. Observe the powerful transition in the lines:
For me, alas! these vernal days are shorn
Of all delight and laden with the sighs
Which from my heart’s recesses she hath torn
Who bore its hopes and pangs to Paradise!
The thought of the speaker’s sorrow does not conclude at the end of the first line but spills over into the next, mirroring the uninterrupted nature of his grief. This technique creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the overwhelming weight of his emotions, making the reader feel the continuous burden on his heart.
Structure and Form in Laura
The poem’s structure, diction, and tone are integral to its overall effect.
Diction and Tone
The diction in “Laura” is formal and elevated, employing words such as “gladsome,” “vernal,” “finery,” and “recesses.” This sophisticated vocabulary reflects the classical influences on Petrarchan poetry and lends a sense of gravity and timelessness to the speaker’s emotions. The tone of the poem shifts dramatically. The initial eight lines adopt a celebratory and joyful tone, reflecting the vibrancy of spring. However, the tone abruptly shifts to one of profound melancholy and despair in the final six lines, creating a striking emotional contrast that is central to the poem’s impact.
Rhyme Scheme and Stanza
“Laura” is a classic example of a Petrarchan or Italian sonnet, a fourteen-line poem structured into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the final six lines). The octave follows a consistent ABBAABBA rhyme scheme, providing a sense of order and musicality to the descriptions of spring’s beauty. The sestet typically introduces a “volta” or turn in thought, and in “Laura,” it follows a CDEDED rhyme scheme. This structural division perfectly frames the poem’s central conflict: the octave presents the external joy of nature, while the sestet delves into the speaker’s internal sorrow, creating a powerful juxtaposition that defines the poem’s emotional landscape.
The Enduring Legacy of “Laura”
Petrarch’s “Laura” remains a masterpiece of poetic expression, demonstrating how a poet can weave together vivid imagery, classical allusions, and a meticulously crafted structure to explore the depths of human emotion. The poem’s timeless appeal lies in its universal theme: the poignant contrast between the world’s indifferent beauty and the individual’s profound sorrow. By studying “Laura,” readers gain not only an appreciation for Petrarch’s genius but also a deeper understanding of how poetic devices work in harmony to create a truly unforgettable literary experience. This sonnet continues to resonate, reminding us of love’s power to shape our perception of the world, transforming even the most glorious spring into a “desert, stern and wild” when the heart is heavy.