Phoenix and Turtle are the most embarrassing of Shakespeare's love poems. It was published by Robert Chester in 1601 as part of a series called "Love Martyrs."
The format of this poem is as follows. It is divided into two parts, the first part mourning the death of two lovers Phoenix and Turtle. There are thirteen sections in this section, each of which is four rows long. They have a rhyming scheme [a-bb-a]. The second part, called Threnos, has five sections and only three lines. In this part, the voice of reason also laments the death of two lovers.
Little is known about this Shakespeare's love poems. Its description is not very long but very vague and difficult to explain. Many scholars argue the meaning and purpose of this poem. In fact, scholars have debated whether Shakespeare actually wrote this poem! Fortunately, most people now agree that Shakespeare wrote this poem himself.
However, despite its awkward history and mysterious nature, I will try my best to summarize this poem.
The main characters are phoenix [female], turtle - pigeon [her husband], and finally Threnos, which represents the voice of reason. Phoenix and Turtles - Pigeons completely and truly love each other, but the times are changing, their love is the last true love. When they die, true love will die with them. This poem symbolizes the death of idealized true love in society at the time. Then many other birds such as crows and hawks were summoned to the funerals of Phoenix and Turtles to mourn their death. Other birds represent the diversity of normal people in society. For example, a crow represents a normal bird or an ordinary person. The eagle may represent a clear-headed and brave mind.
The next section describes how love makes two people the same person. The lines used by Shakespeare "have the essence but in one" - their spirit has become a presence. Then he uses another metaphor to express the power of love "the numbers in love have been killed" - clearly indicating that love has killed the separation of their souls.
This poem then describes how two lovers gradually become more and more similar until they are almost identical. Reason is completely confused by this - because love is unreasonable.
Then, Threnos [the voice of reason] made his own observations about the phoenix and the tortoise. It describes the couple as "beautiful, real and rare. Everything is simple." The couple died, leaving no children [the author used "no futures"] because the couple were married but very clean. Threnos respects the phoenix and the tortoise very much and says that with their death, truth and beauty are buried on them, ending the poem, asking those who are true and fair, praying for them to symbolize all the pure love of the couple.
There are many theories about this Shakespeare love poem as a whole. One theory holds that the characters in the poem each represent some of Shakespeare's then Catholic friends. This poem is a message that supports Catholicism. Another theory is that this poem actually represents the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and the Count of Essex Robert Devro. So far, many scholars are arguing about all aspects of this poem.
However, it is still one of Shakespeare's most mysterious poems. For example, lines, "property is so shocking, self is different." I think how vague and mysterious this poem is. I think that Shakespeare himself may mean that it is ambiguous because the truth and beauty of the love he tries to describe is very intangible.
If you are looking for a more complex and interesting Shakespeare love poem to read and enjoy, Phoenix and Turtle are a good looking person. Although there may not be many romantic descriptions or ideas in it, the methods of studying great romantic writers are always good.
Orignal From: Shakespeare's Love Poems - Analysis of Phoenix and Turtle
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