Analysis of the sonnet “Set me whereas the sun doth parch the green” – Henry Howard

Analysing the title the intelligent reader can understand that the sonnet belongs to a collection because the title comes from the first line of the sonnet itself. Moreover the personal pronoun “me” reveals that the sonnet deals with the problem of the sonneteers himself. Indeed the sonnet is a lyrical and private form of poetry which focuses on private and intimate feelings and emotions of the poet. Furthermore the imperative verb tense “set me” makes the reader think of the sonneteer is talking to somebody. It follows that the reader may be curious to find out with whom the poet is talking to. Another possible question to be made is why the poet orders somebody to set him “whereas the sun doth parch the green”.

Considering the layout, the reader can understand that the sonnet is organized into 3 quatrains in alternate rhyme and a rhyming couplet. The rhyme scheme of the poem consists of: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

In the first quatrain, the sonneteer encourages someone to set him in a precise setting.                                           Such setting is illustrated through antithetical terms. The use of oxymoron reflects the poet’s complex emotional experience. The frequent use of conjunction “or” reveals the poet’s indecision. Besides the words used by the sonneteer to express his personal condition belong to the semantic field of nature such “ beams, green, ice, temperate, heat”. The reader is interested in knowing why the poet is in such life-condition.

The second quatrain is similar to the first one. Once again, the poet uses the oxymoron to express her private feelings. The words generally belong to the semantic field of human beings such as “high or low degree, youth or gray hairs” or to the semantic field of nature “night, day, sky, clouds”.

The third quatrain is similar to the previous one. The poet uses the figure of speech of the oxymoron again. The setting which the poet refers to goes from the temporal dimension of life to the spiritual dimension of existence. The words belong generally to the semantic field of religion “heaven, health, evil, good”.

In the rhyming couplet the speaking voice reveals a possible solution to his personal problem. The personal pronoun “hers”, which occupies the first position in the line, reveals that the poet’s condition is linked to the love to a woman. Now the sonneteer’s problem is clearer: the main theme of the work is the unreturned love. In the rhyming couplet the poet says that no matter in which situation he might be because he will always be faithful to his lover. Indeed, he will be comforted to know if he belongs to her. The expression “my chance be nought” in the last line reveals a sense of despair and pity because of the unreturned love.