What does Sonnet 39 by Sir Philip Sidney mean?

“Come Sleep, O Sleep” is one of the 108 sonnets published by Sir Philip Sidney in his collection “Astrophil and Stella” published around 1582. The 39th sonnet, “Come Sleep, O Sleep” tells us about sleep and its effects on men. It concludes with how Astrophil sees Stella clearly in a dream while sleeping.

What is the theme of Sonnet 39?

It is part of the Fair Youth sequence of sonnets, numbers one through one hundred twenty-six. In this particular poem, the speaker addresses the need to create distance between himself and his beloved. Themes of absence, separation, love, and devotion are all present in ‘Sonnet 39’.

What does the balm of woe mean?

As for the “balm of woe,” that’s no problem either. A “balm” is something that heals, like an ointment. Nowadays we use the word a lot in the phrase “lip balm.” (Chap Stick is the most well-known brand.) Anyway, think of all your pain, or “woe” as a chapped lip.

Who or what is addressed in Sidney’s Sonnet 39?

In Sonnet 39 the sonneteer describes sleep’s qualities as being the place of “peace” “wit” “balm” “wealth” and “release.” The sonneteer addresses personified Sleep in the apostrophe “Sleep, O Sleep!” An apostrophe address something or someone who is not there, very often something that is personified, like “Sleep” and …

Why did Sir Philip Sidney write Sonnet 39?

Sonnet 39 addresses sleep directly, asking it to come and give the speaker peace. It goes on for some time about the pains he’s suffering, and how sleep would be a relief, and closes by giving the reason: he (one assumes) is longing for Stella, so much so that he’s sure he’ll be dreaming of her.

What is the meaning of sleep in Sonnet 39?

In Sonnet 39 the sonneteer describes sleep’s qualities as being the place of “peace” “wit” “balm” “wealth” and “release.” The sonneteer addresses personified Sleep in the apostrophe “Sleep, O Sleep!” An apostrophe address something or someone who is not there, very often something that is personified, like “Sleep” and “Moon.”

Who is Philip Sidney in Astrophil and Stella 39?

Astrophil and Stella 39: Come Sleep! O Sleep, the certain knot of peace. The grandson of the Duke of Northumberland and heir presumptive to the earls of Leicester and Warwick, Sir Philip Sidney was not himself a nobleman.

When was come sleep O Sleep by Philip Sidney published?

“Come Sleep, O Sleep” is one of the 108 sonnets published by Sir Philip Sidney in his collection “Astrophil and Stella” published around 1582. The songs and sonnets in this collection tell the story of Astrophil (star-lover), and his hopeless passion for Stella (star).