“Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

“Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda first appeared in 1924 as part of his collection Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, originally written in Spanish. The poem was later translated into English in 1969 by W.S. Merwin. This sonnet, like others in the collection, is characterized by its passionate and sensual language, exploring the complexities of love and desire. Neruda’s vivid imagery and metaphors, such as comparing his lover to the light of the universe, evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The poem also delves into the vulnerability and uncertainty inherent in love, as the speaker grapples with the intensity of his emotions and the fear of loss.

Text: “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

Every day you play with the light of the universe.
Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water.
You are more that this white head that I hold tightly
as a cluster of fruit, every day, between my hands.

You are like nobody since I love you.
Let me spread you out among the yellow garlands.
Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?
Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.

Suddenly the wind howls and bangs my shut window.
The sky is a net crammed with shadowy fish.
Here all the winds will let go sooner or later, all of them.
The rain takes off her clothes.

The birds go by, fleeing.
The wind. The wind.
I can contend only against the power of men.
The storm whirls dark leaves
and turns loose all the boats that were moored last night to the sky.

You are here. Oh you do not run away.
You will answer me to the last cry.
Cling to me as though you were frightened.
Even so, at one time a strange shadow ran through your eyes.

Now, now too, little one, you bring me honeysuckle,
and even your breasts smell of it.
While the sad wind goes slaughtering butterflies
I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth.

How you must have suffered against getting accustomed to me,
my savage, solitary soul, my name that sends them all running.
So many times have we seen the morning star burn, kissing our eyes,
and over our heads the grey light unwind in turning fans.

My words rained over you, stroking you.
A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body.
I go so far as to think you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want
to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.

Annotations: “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

Stanza	Annotation
1	Neruda establishes the ethereal and all-encompassing nature of his beloved, likening her to the light of the universe. She is both delicate (“subtle visitor”) and essential, arriving in natural elements like flowers and water.
2	The speaker emphasizes the uniqueness of his love. He holds her head gently, comparing it to a cluster of fruit. His love transcends the physical, as he desires to spread her essence among symbolic garlands.
3	A shift in tone occurs. The speaker questions the origin of his beloved, wondering who could have created such a being. The imagery of smoke and stars adds to her mysterious and celestial aura.
4	The natural world reflects a sudden upheaval. The wind howls, and the sky is filled with menacing imagery. This could symbolize external forces or the tumultuous nature of love itself.
5	Despite the chaos, the beloved remains a constant. She is a source of stability and will answer his calls. The speaker pleads for her to cling to him, acknowledging past shadows in her eyes, possibly hinting at shared vulnerabilities.
6	Tenderness returns. The beloved brings gifts of honeysuckle, even her scent is intertwined with nature. The contrast between the destructive wind and their love highlights the resilience of their bond.
7	The speaker reflects on the challenges of their relationship. His “savage, solitary soul” might have been difficult for her to understand. Yet, they have shared countless intimate moments, symbolized by the morning star and the turning of dawn.
8	Their love has been transformative. The speaker’s words have nurtured her, and he adores her body. He goes as far as to attribute the ownership of the universe to her, showcasing the magnitude of his feelings.
9	The poem concludes with a promise. The speaker desires to shower his beloved with nature’s beauty, bringing flowers and kisses. He wants their love to be as rejuvenating and fruitful as spring’s effect on cherry trees.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

Device	Example	Explanation	Function
Alliteration	“shadowy fish”	Repetition of initial consonant sounds	Creates a musical quality
Amplification	“You are more than this white head”	Emphasizes the subject’s importance	Highlights the speaker’s admiration
Analogy	“like nobody since I love you”	Compares the subject to something unique	Illustrates the subject’s singularity
Anaphora	“The wind. The wind.”	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses	Emphasizes the wind’s importance
Apostrophe	“Oh let me remember you”	Addressing a person or entity not present	Expresses the speaker’s longing
Assonance	“yellow garlands”	Repetition of vowel sounds	Creates a musical quality
Enjambment	“You are more than this white head / that I hold tightly”	Carrying a sentence or phrase over to the next line without a pause	Creates a sense of urgency
Hyperbole	“I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth”	Exaggeration for emphasis	Conveys the speaker’s intense emotions
Imagery	“the light of the universe”, “honeysuckle”, “mother-of-pearl”	Vivid descriptions of sensory experiences	Creates a rich and sensory atmosphere
Irony	“my savage, solitary soul”	Contrasts the speaker’s gentle words with their self-described harsh nature	Highlights the speaker’s vulnerability
Juxtaposition	“The rain takes off her clothes / The birds go by, fleeing”	Placing two contrasting ideas side by side	Creates a sense of contrast and tension
Metaphor	“You are a cluster of fruit”	Comparison between two unlike things	Illustrates the subject’s beauty and abundance
Metonymy	“the power of men”	Using a part to represent the whole	Creates a sense of universality
Onomatopoeia	“howls and bangs”	Words that imitate sounds	Creates a vivid and dynamic atmosphere
Oxymoron	“sad wind”	Combination of two opposing ideas	Creates a sense of paradox and tension
Personification	“The sky is a net”, “The storm whirls dark leaves”	Attributing human qualities to non-human entities	Creates a sense of agency and dynamism
Repetition	“You”, “I love you”	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis	Creates a sense of unity and cohesion
Simile	“like spring does with the cherry trees”	Comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”	Illustrates the speaker’s desire for union
Synecdoche	“the morning star”	Using a part to represent the whole	Creates a sense of universality
Symbolism	“light”, “wind”, “honeysuckle”	Using objects or colors to represent abstract ideas	Creates a rich and layered meaning

Themes: “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

• Theme 1: Love and Adoration: The speaker’s love for the subject is a profound and all-consuming force, transcending the ordinary boundaries of human connection. They are enthralled by the subject’s presence, which illuminates their world like the “light of the universe” (line 1). The speaker’s adoration is evident in their tender words, as they implore the subject to “cling to me as though you were frightened” (line 19), suggesting a deep longing for closeness and intimacy. The comparison of their love to the power of nature, “I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth” (lines 25-26), underscores the idea that their affection is as unstoppable and transformative as a natural force. The speaker’s ultimate desire is to merge with the subject, to “do with you what spring does with the cherry trees” (line 28), implying a union that is both beautiful and life-affirming.
• Theme 2: Nature and its Power: The poem highlights the awe-inspiring power of nature, which serves as a backdrop for the speaker’s emotions. The wind, rain, and sky are all depicted as forces beyond human control, with the wind “howling and banging” at the speaker’s window (line 9), and the rain “taking off her clothes” (line 11). The speaker acknowledges the limits of their own power, confessing that they “can contend only against the power of men” (line 15). This admission underscores the idea that nature is a formidable force, one that commands respect and humility. By juxtaposing the power of nature with the speaker’s own emotions, Neruda suggests that human feelings are both intensified and humbled by the natural world.
• Theme 3: Memory and Longing: The speaker’s memories of the subject are vivid and evocative, conjuring up a sense of longing and yearning. They recall the subject’s presence, both physical and emotional, remembering how they “bring me honeysuckle, and even your breasts smell of it” (lines 21-22). The speaker also alludes to a past moment of intensity or conflict, when a “strange shadow” ran through the subject’s eyes (line 23). These memories serve as a reminder of the subject’s absence, and the speaker’s desire to be reunited with them. The speaker’s longing is palpable, as they implore the subject to remain with them, to “answer me to the last cry” (line 18).
• Theme 4: Possessiveness and Ownership: The speaker’s love for the subject is accompanied by a strong sense of possessiveness, as they seek to claim and possess the subject entirely. They assert that the subject is “more than this white head that I hold tightly” (line 3), implying that their love encompasses the subject’s entire being. The speaker’s desire to “spread you out among the yellow garlands” (line 5) and “bring you happy flowers from the mountains” (line 29) suggests a wish to adorn and embellish the subject, to make them their own. This possessiveness is tempered by a recognition of the subject’s autonomy, as the speaker acknowledges that they “own the universe” (line 27). Ultimately, the speaker’s desire for possession is rooted in a deep love and admiration for the subject, rather than a desire to control or dominate them.

Literary Theories and “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

Literary Theory	Application to “Sonnet XIV”
Feminist Theory	Reference: The poem centers around a female figure, highlighting her beauty, resilience, and connection to nature. The speaker’s adoration and desire to please her are evident throughout. Critique: While celebrating feminine attributes, the poem can be viewed as objectifying the woman. She is often described in terms of her physicality and serves as a muse for the speaker’s artistic expression.
Archetypal Theory	Reference: The poem utilizes archetypal imagery such as light/dark, wind/storm, and the cycle of seasons. The woman embodies the archetype of the anima (the feminine principle within the male psyche), representing inspiration and love. Critique: While the use of archetypes enhances the poem’s universal appeal, it can also limit the depth of character development. The woman may remain somewhat one-dimensional due to her symbolic function.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Reference: The poem delves into the speaker’s subconscious desires and anxieties. The tumultuous imagery (wind, storm) may represent internal conflicts or fears of loss. The speaker’s idealization of the woman can be interpreted as a projection of his own needs and longing for emotional fulfillment. Critique: Psychoanalytic readings can offer rich insights into the speaker’s psyche, but they might also overshadow the aesthetic and emotional aspects of the poem. The focus on hidden meanings can sometimes detract from the beauty of the language and imagery.

Critical Questions about “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

• To what extent does the natural world serve as a reflection of the speaker’s emotional state in “Sonnet XIV”?
• The poem opens with serene imagery of light and flowers, mirroring the speaker’s initial joy and awe at his beloved. However, a sudden shift occurs as the “wind howls and bangs” the window, potentially symbolizing internal turmoil or external challenges to their relationship. The turbulent weather (“sky is a net crammed with shadowy fish,” “rain takes off her clothes”) could parallel the speaker’s emotional vulnerability and fear of loss. By the end, the return of gentler imagery (“happy flowers from the mountains”) might suggest a reconciliation or acceptance of the complexities of love.
• How does the speaker’s depiction of the female figure contribute to or challenge traditional gender roles?
• The woman is initially portrayed as a delicate and ethereal being, associated with nature’s beauty and light. However, she is also depicted as resilient, remaining steadfast during the storm. This challenges the conventional trope of the fragile female. Yet, the speaker’s possessiveness (“I go so far as to think you own the universe”) and emphasis on her physicality (“sunned mother-of-pearl of your body”) can be seen as reinforcing traditional views of women as objects of desire and possession.
• What is the significance of the speaker’s assertion that he can “contend only against the power of men”?
• This line introduces a socio-political dimension to the poem, suggesting that the speaker’s love provides solace and strength against societal pressures and conflicts. It could be interpreted as a commentary on the personal nature of love versus the larger forces of the world, or perhaps a reflection on the challenges faced by marginalized individuals seeking refuge in intimate relationships.
• In what ways does the poem explore the paradoxical nature of love?
• The poem juxtaposes opposing forces: light and darkness, serenity and turmoil, tenderness and possessiveness. The speaker’s feelings range from adoration (“You are like nobody since I love you”) to anxiety (“Cling to me as though you were frightened”). This suggests that love is not a simple, linear emotion, but rather a complex interplay of conflicting feelings and experiences. The poem’s ending, with its promise of “happy flowers” and the desire to “do with you what spring does with the cherry trees,” hints at the possibility of renewal and growth despite the inherent challenges of love.

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

1. “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A sonnet that explores the depths of love and adoration, much like Neruda’s poem.
2. “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” by Christopher Marlowe: A poem that promises eternal love and devotion, echoing Neruda’s romantic sentiments.
3. “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” by William Shakespeare: A sonnet that compares the beloved to the beauty of nature, similar to Neruda’s use of metaphors.
4. “Love’s Philosophy” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: A poem that explores the connection between love and the natural world, much like Neruda’s poem.
5. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell: A poem that passionately argues for the beloved to reciprocate love, similar to Neruda’s urgent and longing tone.

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

Representative Quotations of “Sonnet XIV” by Pablo Neruda

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Every day you play with the light of the universe.”	The poem’s opening line, setting the tone for the speaker’s adoration.	Platonic Idealism: The speaker sees the beloved as a source of divine light, echoing Plato’s idea of the Forms.
“You are more than this white head that I hold tightly”	The speaker’s assertion of the beloved’s significance, beyond physical appearance.	Existentialism: The speaker emphasizes the beloved’s essence over their physical being, highlighting their existential importance.
“Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?”	A metaphorical question, suggesting the beloved’s name is written in the heavens.	Romanticism: The speaker uses a romantic, dreamlike image to convey the beloved’s celestial significance.
“I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth”	A passionate declaration, using sensual imagery to express joy.	Freudian Psychoanalysis: The speaker’s happiness is linked to the beloved’s mouth, suggesting a connection between love and oral pleasure.
“I go so far as to think you own the universe”	The speaker’s assertion of the beloved’s universal significance.	Postcolonialism: The speaker’s declaration can be seen as a reversal of colonialism, where the beloved is given ownership of the universe, rather than a dominant power structure.