Whoso List to Hunt by Sir Thomas Wyatt - Poem Analysis

Summary

In 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.