Whoso List to Hunt by Sir Thomas Wyatt - Poem Analysis
Summary
TLDRIn this video, the poem 'Who So List To Hunt' by Sir Thomas Wyatt is explored, focusing on its metaphorical representation of love as a hunt. The poem is believed to reflect Wyatt's relationship with Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife. Wyatt uses the extended metaphor of a hunt to depict the futility of pursuing a love that is unattainable. The poem is historically significant as one of the first sonnets in English, introducing the form to the language through Wyatt's translations of Petrarch's works. It also highlights the vulnerability of women, represented as prey and the hunted, and the societal constraints of the time.
Takeaways
- 🎯 The poem 'Who so list to hunt' by Sir Thomas Wyatt uses a hunting metaphor to describe the futility of pursuing love.
- 💔 The poem is believed to reflect Wyatt's relationship with Anne Boleyn, who later became the second wife of King Henry VIII.
- 🏃♂️ Wyatt portrays himself as a hunter who is exhausted from the chase and decides to give up, symbolizing his unrequited love for Anne.
- 🦌 The deer, or 'hind', represents Anne, who is elusive and unattainable, much like the wind that cannot be caught in a net.
- ⛔ The phrase 'Noli me tangere' inscribed on the deer's neck signifies that Anne belongs to another, in this case, King Henry VIII.
- 📜 Wyatt's poem is one of the first sonnets in English, introducing a form that would later be popularized by Shakespeare.
- 🇮🇹 The sonnet form was adapted from Italian by Wyatt, who encountered it during his travels in Europe.
- 🔄 The poem's structure follows the Petrarchan sonnet's division into an octave and a sestet, with a volta or turn between them.
- 🎶 Wyatt's use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic quality that mimics the natural flow of English speech.
- ⚖️ The historical context of the poem is set against the backdrop of political and religious upheaval in 16th-century England.
- 🔍 The poem highlights the vulnerability and objectification of women, with Anne being seen as both a prized possession and a symbol of resistance.
Q & A
Who is the author of the poem 'Who so list to hunt'?
-The poem 'Who so list to hunt' is authored by Sir Thomas Wyatt.
What is the central theme of Sir Thomas Wyatt's poem 'Who so list to hunt'?
-The central theme of the poem is unattainable love, using the metaphor of a hunt where the speaker is the hunter and the object of his affection is the deer.
How does Sir Thomas Wyatt use the metaphor of a hunt in his poem?
-Wyatt uses the metaphor of a hunt to describe the pursuit of love, where he is the hunter and Anne Boleyn is the deer, symbolizing the chase for a love that is ultimately uncatchable.
What historical figure is believed to be the inspiration behind the 'deer' in Wyatt's poem?
-Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England, is believed to be the inspiration behind the 'deer' in Wyatt's poem.
What is the significance of the phrase 'Noli me tangere' in the poem?
-The phrase 'Noli me tangere', meaning 'Do not touch me', is inscribed on the deer's collar and signifies that Anne Boleyn belongs to King Henry VIII, making her untouchable to others.
How does the poem reflect the historical context of its time?
-The poem reflects the historical context of the Tudor period, particularly the tumultuous relationship between Wyatt and Anne Boleyn, and the latter's marriage to King Henry VIII.
What is the structure of the sonnet as introduced by Sir Thomas Wyatt?
-The sonnet structure used by Wyatt consists of an octave, which presents a scenario or argument, followed by a sestet that complicates or adds nuance to the initial argument.
How does Wyatt's use of iambic pentameter contribute to the poem?
-Wyatt's use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a conversational quality, mimicking the rhythm of English speech and lending a realistic tone to the narrative.
What is the significance of the 'wind in a net' metaphor in the poem?
-The 'wind in a net' metaphor signifies the futility of the speaker's pursuit, as trying to catch the wind is an impossible task, symbolizing the unattainable nature of his love.
How does the poem explore the theme of power and possession?
-The poem explores the theme of power and possession through the depiction of the deer as property, belonging to Caesar (King Henry VIII), and the speaker's inability to claim her.
What is the volta or turn in Wyatt's sonnet, and how does it function?
-The volta in Wyatt's sonnet occurs between the octave and the sestet, where the poem shifts from the speaker's decision to give up the hunt to the revelation of why he cannot catch the deer.
Outlines
🎯 Sir Thomas Wyatt's Poetic Hunt
The video begins with an introduction to Sir Thomas Wyatt's poem 'Who so list to hunt,' which is believed to reflect Wyatt's relationship with Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. The poem uses the metaphor of a hunt to describe the futility of Wyatt's pursuit of Anne, who is compared to a deer that cannot be caught. The speaker expresses his exhaustion from the chase and his decision to stop hunting, symbolizing his acceptance of the impossibility of rekindling their love. The poem also carries a warning to others about the futility of pursuing love, as it can be as elusive as trying to hold the wind in a net. The deer, symbolizing Anne, is described as belonging to Caesar (King Henry), with a collar that reads 'Noli me tangere,' indicating she is off-limits. The poem is analyzed for its historical context, literary significance, and the use of metaphor and symbolism.
📜 The Evolution of the Sonnet and Wyatt's Influence
This paragraph delves into the history of the sonnet form, which originated as a popular song in medieval Italian taverns and was popularized by poet Francesco Petrarch. Sir Thomas Wyatt is credited with introducing the sonnet to English literature in the 1530s and 1540s by translating and imitating Petrarch's works. The poem 'Who so list to hunt' is a personal account of unrequited love and loss, with the speaker's love for Anne no longer being reciprocated. The vulnerability of women is highlighted, as they are portrayed as both the hunted and the objects of desire. The poem also draws parallels with Roman author Celinus's records of white deer being the property of Emperor Caesar, inscribed with a warning not to touch. Wyatt's use of the sonnet form lends gravity to the poem and emphasizes its themes. The structure of the poem, including the octave and sestet, is discussed, along with the use of iambic pentameter to mimic the rhythm of English speech.
🏰 The Historical Context of Wyatt's Sonnet
The final paragraph provides historical context to Sir Thomas Wyatt's life and the political turmoil of 16th-century England. King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church and his pursuit of a male heir led to Anne Boleyn's marriage to the king. The poem reflects the personal and political challenges faced by Wyatt, who was nearly implicated in Anne's execution for adultery. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and watch other videos on writing and analysis, emphasizing the educational value of the content provided.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Sir Thomas Wyatt
💡Anne Boleyn
💡Hunt Metaphor
💡Sonnet
💡Noli me tangere
💡Caesar
💡Volta
💡Iambic Pentameter
💡Petrarch
💡Political Turmoil
Highlights
Poem analyzed is 'Who so list to hunt' by Sir Thomas Wyatt.
The poem uses a hunting metaphor to describe the pursuit of love.
Sir Thomas Wyatt's relationship with Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife, is believed to be the inspiration behind the poem.
The poem portrays the hunt as exhilarating yet prone to failure, with the prey often escaping.
The speaker expresses exhaustion from the pursuit and a decision to stop hunting.
The poem suggests that love, like the deer, is elusive and cannot be caught.
The deer is a symbol of Anne Boleyn, who is now 'Caesar's', meaning owned by King Henry.
The poem is one of the first sonnets written in English, introducing the form to the language.
Wyatt's poem is a personal account of unrequited love and the vulnerability of women as objects of desire.
The poem's structure follows Petrarchan sonnet form with an octave and a sestet.
The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a conversational quality.
The poem reflects the historical context of political turmoil in 16th century England.
Anne Boleyn's execution and Wyatt's implication in her infidelities are mentioned.
The poem's final line conveys the speaker's continuing passion despite the impossibility of the relationship.
The poem's advice to potential lovers is to avoid the futility of pursuing unattainable love.
The poem's formality and structure emphasize the importance of its themes.
The poem's rhyming couplets make its advice memorable.
The poem's volta or turn is where the speaker begins to address the issues raised in the octave.
Transcripts
[Music]
hello
today's poem we're examining is who so
list
to hunt i know where is and hind
by sir thomas wyatt before we start
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continue to make this content i have the
poem
here so let's start
who's so less to hunt i know where is
unhind
but as for me alas i may no more
the vain travail have wearied me so sore
i am of them that farthest cometh behind
yet may i by no means my wearied mind
draw from the deer but as she fleeth
are for fainting i follow
i leave off therefore simmons
in a net i seek to hold the wind
who list her hunt i put him out of doubt
as well as i may spend his time in vain
and craven with diamonds
in letters plain there is written
her fur neck round about
noli me tangere for caesar's
i am and wild for to hold
though i seem tame
a really powerful poem by
sir thomas wyatt which is interesting
intriguing from many points of view
particularly historically
and also from the point of view
of literature so
multi-layered plenty to unpack
so let's start it is generally thought
that this summit by sir thomas wyatt
relates to his relationship with
ann berlin the second wife of king henry
viii
of england wyatt and berlin
were lovers before her marriage
to king henry and in this regard
it's reasonable to suppose
that both poet and speaker
are the same wyatt uses an extended
metaphor
comparing love to a hunt in which the
male
is a hunter and the female
a deer are hind he cannot
catch the poem portrays the hunt as
exhilarating yet violent and prone to
failure
as the prey often escapes
the title suggests that wyatt is writing
the poem
to warn those who would want to engage
in love
to be wary indeed
the speaker in the poem says he will
not hunt again halas
meaning alas i may no
more the pursuit of anne
has weared exhausted him so much
that he is now behind the other hunters
in the chase for love and yet
he says he cannot stop his
wearied mind from thinking of women
and anne in particular and
almost fainting carries on
the chase regardless
deer is itself upon a play
upon deer meaning
something precious he tells us
that trying to catch an is like trying
to catch the wind
in a net an impossible and foolish
endeavor his advice to other
would-be lovers is not to spend his time
in vain
like he has the deer belongs
to caesar symbolizing henry
we are told that the deer carries around
her neck
a diamond necklace on which is engraved
nollie me tangeri don't
touch me for i belong to caesar
and like the king's deer is off
limits and there for the
king only in the final line
we are told that the thought of anne
being no longer available
to continue their affair is driving him
wild although to those around him
he has to pretend he is calm
tame and wild for to hold
though i seem tame
as well as a fine poem it is one of the
first sonnets
written in english the sonnet
began as a form of popular song
sung in medieval italian taverns
and at festivals through the poet
francesco petrarch it became one of the
most popular
and prestigious forms of poetry in
europe
wyatt introduced it to our language
in the 1530s and 1540s
by translating and imitating
petrarch's sonnets whose soulless to
hunt
is a rewriting of petrarch
190. eventually
english poets including shakespeare
would adapt the italian sonnet
for their poems written in the first
person voice
wyatt's poem is a personal account
of the speaker's loss as his love is no
longer returned
by his former lover anne
must flee wyatt's advances or be killed
literally and metaphorically
because if her infidelity were
discovered
king henry would execute them both
the poem demonstrates the vulnerability
of women
who are seen as the prey and the hunted
and the objects of desire
here they are also represented as
the property of the male wyatt
draws or alludes to the writing of the
roman author
celinus who records that
white stacks were the property of the
emperor
caesar and had inscribed on their
colours
the warning do not touch me
i am caesar's wyatt a learned
and gifted courtier travelled europe
later in the employment of king henry
and encountered the sonnet in italy
and france and used it for his poems
as a courtier wyatt would have been in
the company of henry
and anne but had to pretend to be
indifferent
to her this pretence or
faint forms the pun on line
seven fainting i follow
wyatt compares anne to the goddess diana
artemus in greek legend diana was chaste
a virgin and pure the comparison is apt
because he associates an through
allusion to greek myth
to someone associated with refusal
and resistance to continue their
physical
love the necklace his former lover wears
symbolizes the wealth she has acquired
through marriage to the king but the tag
reminds us that it is more a collar
a symbol of her servitude to him
she wears a do not touch label which
stresses
that now she is his property
this contrasts strongly when earlier in
the poem
anne is compared to the wind strong
and free escaping capture
she was once a free spirit but is now
in many ways a prisoner
end stopping the first four lines makes
the poem
measured and gives the impression that
the speaker's
advice to others pursuing love is
based on long reflection and bitter
experience the use of a series of
rhyming couplets
makes his advice memorable
yet lines 5 and 6 which employ
enjoyment run on lines imply the speaker
despite what he says about giving up on
love
finds it impossible not to lust
for his former lover the word
wild at the end of the poem stresses
his continuing passion for her and
is ironic in that he the hunter
is the wild one rather than the hind
who has been tamed by her marriage
to henry let's now look at the form
and structure of the poem wyatt
closely follows petrarch and sonnet's
form
an initial eight lines called the octave
and the final six lines called the
sestet
traditionally the first eight lines
lay out an argument or a
scenario the final six lines
complicate that argument or add
nuance to the scenario
the pivot between the octave and the
sestet
the poem's turning point is called
the volta or the turn
it's the place where the poem begins to
address
the issues the octave has raised
wyatt's poem follows this formula
the first eight lines of the poem lay
out a scenario
the speaker is a hunter who has been
pursuing
a single deer with obsessive
energy he's giving up the chase though
because the deer is too quick for him to
catch
the final six lines complicate that
scenario
explaining why he can't catch the deer
she already belongs to another man
a powerful person lines
9 and 10 provide a sort
of vaulter reiterating the poem's first
line
although it is not as prominent as those
we find later
in shakespeare's sonnets
employing a formal poetic structure
as the sonnet lends a gravity
and formality to the poem and
stresses the importance of its
themes wyatt
writes in iambic pentameter
for example who so list to hunt
i know where is and hind
but as for me alas i may
know more using iambic pentameter
mimics the rhythm of english speech
and gives the poem a realistic
conversational quality
sir thomas wyatt lived in the early part
of the 16th century
in england a time of considerable
political turmoil in 1532
king henry viii broke away from the
catholic
church as england took its first steps
to becoming a protestant country
henry broke away from rome so that he
could divorce his first wife
catherine of aragon and mary
and berlin reportedly already pregnant
to him henry desperately
sought a male heir who would continue
the tudor dynasty
halas as wyatt might say
his marriage to anne lasted
only three years
she was executed in 1536
on the grounds of adultery
during the fallout wyatt was accused of
being
one of the several men implicated
in anne's infidelities and it was only
through his powerful political
connections
home and abroad that he rode
this political storm also
there is nothing to suggest that anne
and wyatt had resumed their relationship
as this sonnet demonstrates thank you
for watching this video
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helpful
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from carol and me right
well
you
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