Analyse the treatment of love in
Wyatt’s sonnet ‘Farewell Love’.
Answer: In the realm of English sonnet,
Sir Thomas Wyatt holds a unique position as a pioneer. He was the first
individual who imported the style of writing sonnet from Petrarch into English.
His sonnet, "Farewell Love" is a typical Elizabethan sonnet on love and deals the
lover’s feeling and sentiment.
The very title word ‘Farewell’
suggests ‘reigning’ or ‘giving up’. The title clearly implies the withdrawal of all claims on love. Hence the frustrated
lover is no longer wish to stick to his love. In a tone of utter disgust, he
frankly says “Farewell, Love...” He bids good bye to his love forever. The
lover’s outburst is impulsive and angry.
The poet lover has been
suffering continually by the piercing pangs and bitter experiences of love. He is bleeding and tormenting badly. Now he
craves to free himself from the cage of love. The bewitching beauty and romantic illusion of his lady love would no longer keep him
captive and caprice: “Thy baited hook shall
tangle me no more.” He now comes to understand that life is not but a crude
reality where emotion and illusion have no room. He chooses to study great
masters like Seneca and Plato to sharpen and strengthen his intellect. Logic is
more preferable to him than love.
