Analysis of The Yearning for Ataraxia: A Sonnet of Tranquility and Solace
In contemplation of a place unknown,
A locus of tranquility and peace,
The yearning of my soul doth now bemoan
An absence of a solace never ceased.
Ataraxia, a place of serenity,
A haven yet to be beheld by mine eyes,
A longing for such bliss doth now enmity
My heart, for this, my soul doth now surmise.
Since birth, I have not known this place of rest,
A locus of which my heart doth long to see,
For in its presence, I am truly blessed,
And all my worries cease to be.
But alas, this place remains a mystery,
An unrevealed haven of serenity.
| Scheme | AXAX BCBC DBDB BB |
|---|---|
| Poetic Form | |
| Metre | 001010101 0101010001 0101111101 1101010101 10110100 0101111111 01011111100 1111111101 1111111111 01011111111 1011011101 01110111 10111010100 111010100 |
| Closest metre | Iambic pentameter |
| Characters | 547 |
| Words | 119 |
| Sentences | 4 |
| Stanzas | 4 |
| Stanza Lengths | 4, 4, 4, 2 |
| Lines Amount | 14 |
| Letters per line (avg) | 30 |
| Words per line (avg) | 8 |
| Letters per stanza (avg) | 106 |
| Words per stanza (avg) | 26 |
About this poem
The sonnet "In contemplation of a place unknown" expresses the speaker's longing for a place of ataraxia, or serenity. The speaker's soul "doth now bemoan" the absence of this solace, which they have never experienced since their birth. The idea of ataraxia is portrayed as a "locus of tranquility and peace," and a "haven" that the speaker's eyes have yet to behold. The longing for this place creates an "enmity" within the speaker's heart and soul, causing them to "surmise" about its existence. Despite the fact that this place remains a mystery, the speaker believes that in its presence, they will be "truly blessed" and all worries will cease to be. The final line of the sonnet reinforces the idea that this place is an "unrevealed haven of serenity." The sonnet's use of complex English terms such as "bemoaned," "locus," and "enmity" adds depth and sophistication to the speaker's longing for this place of ataraxia. more »
Written on January 16, 2023
Submitted by Mawphniang.Napoleon on January 16, 2023
Modified on March 18, 2023
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"The Yearning for Ataraxia: A Sonnet of Tranquility and Solace" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/148770/the-yearning-for-ataraxia%3A-a-sonnet-of-tranquility-and-solace>.
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