Scorn Not the Sonnet
Scorn Not the Sonnet - context Summary
Defense of the Sonnet Form
Written in 1806 and published in 1807 in Poems, in Two Volumes, Wordsworth’s sonnet defends the sonnet form against critics. He invokes canonical predecessors—Shakespeare, Petrarch, Tasso, Camoens, Dante, Spenser, Milton—to argue that the sonnet has served varied expressive purposes, from consolation to moral trumpet. The poem reflects Wordsworth’s commitment to traditional poetic structures and his belief in the form’s dignity and emotional range.
Read Complete AnalysesScorn not the Sonnet; Critic, you have frowned, Mindless of its just honours; with this key Shakespeare unlocked his heart; the melody Of this small lute gave ease to Petrarch's wound; A thousand times this pipe did Tasso sound; With it Camöens soothed an exile's grief; The Sonnet glittered a gay myrtle leaf Amid the cypress with which Dante crowned His visionary brow: a glow-worm lamp, It cheered mild Spenser, called from Faery-land To struggle through dark ways; and, when a damp Fell round the path of Milton, in his hand The Thing became a trumpet; whence he blew Soul-animating strains--alas, too few!
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