Thomas Wyatt
Hind
A Complete Interpretation (New Criticism Approach)
Whoso list to hunt powerfully exemplifies the artistic skills of Sir Thomas Wyatt in Sonnet,
which decorated with deep emotions and initiate use of literary devices. To
England sonnet was introduced by Wyatt who was a diplomat in Italy, the birth
place of sonnet and renascence, for some time. Sonnet during 13 to 16 century
was the best and appropriate form of poetry at first for love subject; later
for variety of subjects even nature in romantic period. Wyatt was in love with
a woman by the name of Anne Boleyn, but the king of the time, Henry VIII,
defeated him and won her before him. Thereafter he realized that he can't do
anything about it because his opponent was the king. Later it is said she had
done adultery with Wyatt; the king imprisoned Wyatt beheading Anne Boleyn. In
this sonnet Wyatt with a very deep sorrow express his pure love toward Anne,
and how all the rumors about her were nothing, but calumny.
The form of this sonnet is petrarchan with rhyme scheme (ABBA-ABBA-CDDC
-EE). Wyatt used Petrarchan sonnet form sometimes with a slight change in
its rhyme scheme, he divided sonnet into three four lines stanzas and two last
lines, 13th and 14thl lines, as couplet. The meter of this sonnet is iambic
pentameter. The word choice, imaginary language, end-jumpment, grammatical
disorder techniques, alliteration that makes the sonnet more musical, and
metaphors that are used in this sonnet, make it more expressive and rich. The
poet utilized first person point of view, using the pronouns I
and me. It has three major themes 1power and weakness,
or ruler and subjects, 2 unreachable goal, 3unreachable
love. In power and weakness the theme is about how the king can do and
have whatever he wants and the subjects should obey without any complain. The
next theme, unreachable goal, points out how man struggle to get to something
unreachable although he knows he can't. The third theme, unreachable love,
shows the speaker is in love with a lady which is in king possession. The tone
of this work is hopelessness.
The title is repeated in the very first line of the sonnet like a clause of a
long sentence, and the rest of the sonnet serves as complement. It is an
exposition question means Whoever desires to hunt it really hooks
the reader mind to see what the answer is. The word whoso means whoever; list means desire, want, need; Hunt means chase,
pursuit, and search.
In the first line 1 Wyatt introduces the reader to a metaphors
used for the intended women, and hunt for wanting her. Whoso list to
hunt, I know where is an hind means whoever
desires to hunt, I know a female deer. The hind here metaphorically refers to a lady. The words
hind, doe, and gazelle in western literature metaphorically refer to beautiful
women. These metaphors in the first line serve as the chief metaphors in the
sonnet; the subject discuss around this subject until the end. The first line
contains alliteration, too (whoso, hunt, hind). In line 2-3 the speaker
describes himself as a hunter moaning his tiredness caused by vain attempt to
hunt the deer. Line 2 and 3 also employ alliteration (me, may, more) and (so,
sore). But as for me, helas, I may no more; the vain travail hath wearied me so
sore. He says that he feels so sorry, for all his
attempt were in vain to win her love and be united with her; now he is so
wearied and sore( Haim Dictionary sore can be used for mental tiredness, too).
The pronoun them in line 4 refers to the other hunters,
men who were trying to win the lady's love. Lines 4-6 the speaker
notes that although he fall behind than other hunters, he cannot take her out
of his mind, and she eludes to be caught by the hunters. Fleet afore means escaping,
running away far
ahead. The lady running away from her lovers shows chasteness of her and how
she isn't interested in them. Again in line 5 and 6 again
alliteration is noticeable (may, means, my, mind).In line 7 he
says since the deer runs ahead, he is losing hope to get to her (fainting,
follow) is alliteration, fainting means hopeless,
not intense. In
the second half of line 7 he says he gives up because (Line 8) he realizes that
all his struggles are in vain giving a proverb as an example, catching
wind with a net; This metaphor illustrate the themes of the sonnet
. In (line 9) another alliteration is visible (whoso, her, hunt). (Line 9)
I Put him out of doubt means assure, guarantee. (Line 9-10)
The speaker says the one who is trying to hunt the deer; I assure him his
efforts will be in vain just like his. (Line 11) Graven means carved; diamonds
diamonds are hard, bright precious stones. It is carved with diamond clearly, or
frankly. (Line 12) means there around her beautiful neck it is written, visible
to everyone. (Line 13) the poet used here an allusion in Latin
taken from the bible. Noli
me tangere in English means don't touch me. it is a warning; like stay
away from me. (Line 14) the word Wild
means free, and rough showing she needed to be
caught by a skillful strong hunter; tame means amenable.
She says; you may fancy catching me since I seem tame, but in reality having me is impractical. In this line
employs a paradox wild for to hold, though I seem to
tame. There is a contradiction between words wild and tame. This paradox illustrates
the attitude of the lady toward her lovers and how she neglects them. It also
provides answer to the problem raised in octave. Diamonds are symbols of asset,
and wealth; it makes clear two things. First, the lady is kings property and no
one is allowed to covet her; second, the king is rich and already paid the
price for her.
Sir Thomas Wyatt in whoso list to hunt a metaphorical sonnet using
his extraordinary talent telling his life story, how men are trying to have a
lady who doesn't pay attention to them because she belongs to the king. Images,
paradox, and alliterations all these make the sonnet more beautiful and
musical. Any reader, by reading this sonnet, will sympathize with Wyatt and his
unsuccessful and unreachable love.
