Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sonnet of Black Beauty" is a poem by Edward Herbert, a Welsh poet and philosopher who lived in the 17th century. who was created Baron Herbert of Cherbury in 1629 by King Charles I. The poem is a tribute to the beauty of a black woman, whom the speaker admires and loves deeply.

The sonnet begins with the speaker praising the woman's beauty, which is described as being beyond the ordinary. Her blackness is likened to a cloak of mystery that sets her apart from other women, and her eyes are described as "two stars in a shade." The speaker also admires her intelligence and her ability to inspire him to greater heights.

The second half of the sonnet takes on a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the relationship between light and darkness. He suggests that just as darkness is necessary for light to be appreciated, the woman's blackness is necessary for her beauty to be fully appreciated. He also hints at the idea that darkness can be a source of enlightenment, stating that it is "our darkness which can make us think it dark."

In terms of structure, the poem follows the traditional form of a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The language is rich and poetic, with vivid imagery and a musical quality that reflects the speaker's admiration for the woman. Overall, "Sonnet of Black Beauty" is a celebration of the power and beauty of blackness, both in the physical sense and in a broader philosophical sense.

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