Sonnet 39 Essay

Theme Analysis: Sonnet 39

No other force has the ability to transport everyone on Earth to different dimensions other than sleep. The process of dreaming gives us the ability to experience the surreal aspects of life, which we are incapable of experiencing here on earth. The Sonnet 39, from Astrophel and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney encapsulates just that. The idea of experiencing love through a supernatural force is what the main character, Astrophel longs for the most. Since only Sleep give him the ability to feel this way and escape reality, Sidney uses the theme of sleep as the prevailing factor over Astrophel’s existence.

Sleep befalls on everyone as night approaches. The darkness is blind and undiscriminating towards its subjects on Earth. Whether it be the aristocracy or the average Joe, we all must face the inevitable slumber. Sidney personifies Sleep as, “The poor man’s wealth, the prisoner’s release, The indifferent judge between the high and low.” With this statement Sidney cleverly portrays sleep to be an unprejudiced entity. Unlike materialistic things like money which separate people into social classes, Sleep represents how we are all equal.  With the theme of sleep, Sidney also gives the sonnet a means of a certain “peacefulness” factor. Not only does it provide people with a sense of equality and harmony in their existence, but it also serves as the main form of tranquility and happiness for most.

The primary theme of the sonnet that Sidney establishes is the idea of using sleep as an outlet to escape loneliness and pain. Sleeping transports the human psyche away from the stresses and agitation of the real world. Sidney creates Sleep to be an extended metaphor for a safe haven in which people can transcend their innermost thoughts. There, they could experience them through s means of a mental fantasy. Sidney writes, “With shield of proof, shield me from the prease  Of those fierce darts Despair at me doth throw; O make in me those civil wars to cease; I will good tribute pay, if thou do so.” In this case Astrophel asks Sleep to befall on him so that he can escape the sorrow that he feels from his unrequited love for Estella. Sleep has the ability to cure his heartache and pain. Thus sleep is the only form of happiness that he could experience. This is due to the fact that only Sleep offers him the chance to be with Stella, a task otherwise impossible in real life.

The theme of sleep in this sonnet resonated with me on multiple levels. Not only do we all experience sleep on a daily basis, but we’re given the ability to escape reality by means of dreaming. Likewise Astrophel cannot wait for this “phenomenon” to visit and take control of his psyche. Sidney’s entire concept of using Sleep as an escape mechanism, adds to one’s overall appreciation and understanding of Astrophel’s thinking. His feeling of sorrow as a character evokes my pity and sympathy towards him throughout the sonnet. The deal he strikes with Sleep at the end of the sonnet shows that despite it all, requited love is sometimes best manifested in illusory forms.