Monday, July 26, 2010

Muse and Anti-Muse (Melencolia)

I know I'm a bit late wrapping up Shakespeare Week, but better late than never. The following is the sonnet I wrote for my Western Humanities I Final Project on the Renaissance. I had to display a Powerpoint on the Shakespearean sonnet, write and recite my own sonnet. 

My sonnet is inspired by the 1514 metal engraving "Melencolia 1" by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer. (see below)

In the happy course of composing plots, 
full of daring deeds and mortal affairs.
A sudden chaos, then my mind is fraught:
Calliope! She leaves me unawares!
Imagination now an empty room;
the door therein stands frightfully ajar.
Souls who pursue the arts know well this gloom;
with Mind and Melencolia at war.
Melencolia violates the space,
that dearest Calliope once did fill;
And stirs me not with her Stygian face.
All inspiration she’s designed to kill.
    O Anti-Muse! turn yourself ‘round again,
    Leave by that door, and let my Muse back in!

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