Sonnet 29: Structure and Imagery
Sonnet 29, "I think of thee," follows a traditional sonnet structure but infuses it with rich, evocative imagery drawn from nature. The poem begins with the speaker's thoughts entwining around the beloved like vines around a tree, creating a powerful visual metaphor for the all-consuming nature of love.
Vocabulary: Twine - to wind or coil around; Bud - to begin to grow or develop
The use of plant imagery continues throughout the sonnet, with the speaker comparing her beloved to a palm tree. This choice of imagery is significant for several reasons:
- It evokes exoticism and unfamiliarity, suggesting a new type of love.
- Palm trees are associated with victory in Roman symbolism, implying their love is triumphant.
- In biblical contexts, particularly the Song of Solomon, palm imagery is linked to physical love.
Example: The line "O my palm-tree" serves multiple symbolic purposes, representing life in a barren landscape (their love amidst loneliness), faith and belief, and the exotic nature of their relationship.
The poem's structure supports its thematic development, moving from the initial imagery of entwining thoughts to the final lines where the speaker is too close to even think of the beloved, overwhelmed by their presence.
Definition: Enjambment - the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause
The use of enjambment throughout the sonnet creates a sense of flowing, uncontained emotion, mirroring the speaker's overwhelming feelings.
