Sonnet XVII, by Pablo Neruda
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: Sonnet XVII, by Pablo Neruda
Pages: 11
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Rhetorical Analysis of “Sonnet XVII”
An analysis of Pablo Neruda’s “Sonnet XVII,” from the book 100 Love Sonnets: Cien sonetos de amor, reveals the
emotions of the experience of eternal, unconditional love. Neruda portrays this in his words by using imagery and
metaphors to describe love in relation to beauty and darkness. The poem also depicts the intimacy between two
people. I believe the intent of the poem is to show that true love for another abolishes all logic, leaving one
completely exposed, captivated, and ultimately isolated.
Neruda begins his sonnet in a most unusual manner. He states in the first few lines ways in which he does not love
his companion. He does not love her as if she were “the salt-rose, topaz, or arrow of carnations.” These are all
examples of beautiful things that are to be admired. Each one is a bright and colorful breed of rose. The poem is
not implying that this person is unattractive. Rather, it is simply stating the unimportance of her appearance in
relation to his love for her. The beauty within her soul charms him. The narrator is completely captivated with this
person. Neruda uses emotions to portray love in his poem. “Sonnet XVII” does not describe a love for someone
who has done kind things or someone who has been there emotionally, mentally, and physically for another. It
describes a love that is illogically based on intense affection alone.
The second line of “Sonnet XVII,” begins to elaborate in the ways he does love his significant other. The poem
states that he loves as “dark things are to be loved.” He
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loves her secretly, “between the shadow and the soul.” The narrator does not love arrogantly or in vain. His love is
precious and personal. Dark things are to be loved pri...
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