Theme of Astrophil and Stella

             The sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella was published in 1591. One outstanding quality of the sonnets is the sincerity of the poet. Mair says, “The sonnets of Sidney are the first direct expression in English literature of an ultimate and personal experience.’’ The influence of Astrophel and Stella was so strong in the contemporary age that everybody tried his hands to write sonnets.

            Astrophel is the central character, who expresses his views, his passion for love for a lady, his conflict between reason and love, and so on. Sometimes, Astrophel seems to be addressing a friend, wits, or other persons and sometimes he communes with himself. The sonnets are a series of conversational monologues in which we hear the outpouring of the poet’s love and frustration caused by her enigmatic attitude or by her perpetual silence.

            In this, Sidney touches on a few main themes throughout the sonnet sequence. One of these themes is that of love versus desire. Throughout the sequence, Astrophel is shown as being madly in unreciprocated love with Stella. But this love quickly turns to desire that he cannot control, ultimately leading to their platonic relationship's downfall. Another theme, and all-encompassing metaphor, is the difference between light and day as the difference between Stella being with Astrophel and not being with him, respectively. Even the name of the sequence and characters imply this metaphor, translating to “star-lover” and “star.”

             In the beginning, Stella does not bestow any affection on Astrophel and it becomes clear that the feelings aren’t mutual; Stella proceeds to still be kind towards him. Astrophel later discovers that the woman he deeply loves is married to another man. During the marriage, Stella also discovers that she is unhappy which makes Astrophel become more in tune with his feelings for her. He eventually grows to love Stella by being in her presence and gaining knowledge of what and who she is. Stella then returns Astrophel's affection, though Stella isn’t completely satisfied. At the end of the sonnet, Astrophel tries to persuade her to make love with him despite her marriage vows. As a result, Stella ends the relationship and begins to let him know that the affair can no longer be consummated. Even though Stella loves Astrophel she will not continue to break her marriage vows.

    Throughout the sequence, Astrophel struggles between his love for Stella and his rationality. Because Stella is married, Astrophel recognizes that he can never have a full relationship with her. Moreover, he recognizes that his infatuation with her is foolish and irrational. He isolates his friends and family, damages his reputation in court, and threatens his emotional and mental well-being because he is obsessed with Stella. Yet, even as his reason urges him to give up Stella for his own good, Astrophel cannot stop loving her. The sonnets are full of dialogues between Reason and Love in which Astrophel admits that Reason is correct, but he remains unable to give up his love. Even at the end of the sequence, Astrophel's love prevails over his reason; he is happier having loved her and lost her than never having loved her at all.

            The sonnet sequence expresses the bitter sorrow, the struggle of a virtuous heart between love and duty, desire to possess her. Through the sonnets, the figure of a high-born young man appears more and more revealed. Within the narrow bounds of its fourteen lines, he expressed each movement of his verse, each incident of his love.

Sidney’s Sonnets

 

1.    1.  Not at First Sight, nor with a Dribbed Shot

In this sonnet, the poet declares that his love for his beloved was not a love at first sight but a gradual development. He says that he did not fall in love with Stella at first sight. Stella could impress him but did not captivate the heart of the poet completely. The poet rejects the Petrarchan convention of love. He says that no doubt when he saw his beloved first time his reaction was positive and he liked it. Yet he had not fallen in love with it so intensely that it became a passion with him. He began to love her gradually when he came to realize the worth and nobility of her character. After falling in love the lover has become accustomed to his slavery. He takes it a matter of pride to be the slave of his beloved and suffers the tyrannies of his beloved. The beloved has completely swayed over his mind, thought and feelings. In his slavery, he suffers the tortures of hell and expresses these sufferings of love in his poem.

2.     2. Virtue Alas, Now Let me Take some rest.

The poem presents the tussle between Astrophel's reasoning and emotion (passion). His heart (emotional side) wants to resign before the ruthless and "vain love". He requests his virtue to take rest and leave him at love's mercy and oppression. He urges virtue to use its scepter i.e. correction measure in schools or churches which is well suited for its purpose. Astrophel confesses that he has done a wrong by falling in love with Stella. He couldn't deny its charges because he can't stand against virtue's power. He can convince virtue with the little "reason that is left" in him about his feelings. He believes he can show "true a deity" that resides in his heart and even virtue would also fall in love with Stella. This love sonnet shows the contention of the narrator against love. It's an internal fight inside his mind. His reason says that love is sort of a crime, even Astrophel admits this point. He confesses it as if he has committed a sin. The poem follows a rhyme scheme: abab abab ccd ccd. Virtue is personified in the poem.

3. Your Words My Friend, Right Healthful Caustics Blame

In this sonnet, Astrophel declares that he is fully committed to his beloved Stella. Actually, the advice of Astrophel’s friend is the voice of reason and he is not ready to listen to it. He tells that he is in the trap of love. Love has spoiled his wits. He categorically negates all philosophies. He says that he is not ready to accept the teaching of Plato that man should sublimate his desire and concentrate on the higher thing. In this way, we witness again the debate between reason and passion and ultimately the lover proclaims that Stella is the most natural of all activities. 

4. No More, My Deare, No More These Counsels Try

Sidney begins the second section of his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella with this sonnet. In this section, Astrophel comes before us not as a hesitant lover who is afraid of the criticism of the world, but as a man of will and determination. He declares that there is no question of regret. The shame and disgrace even the criticism of his friends cannot the lover’s mind. His only aim in life is to possess the heart of Stella- the Goddess of beauty and love. Astrophel differs from the conventional lover in his refusal to reproach his beloved for cruelty. He recognizes the irresistible power of love. Stella has become for him a forbidden fruit and it has increased his longing for her more acute and intense. The lover is not after a big post. He does not want to be a philosopher like Aristotle or a great general like Caesar. His sole aim is to get Stella.  

5. Desire, Though Thou My Old Companion Art

Astrophel says that his desire and love have become one and inseparable. His love has been accepted by his beloved – Stella but on the condition that he would prove himself a virtuous and pure lover. He agrees but it is a short-lived commitment. The lover finds clamour of several desires once again compelling him to change his stance. The lover realizes that it is not possible for him to oppress his casual desires. The body cannot be controlled by virtue. And Astrophel sadly but frankly admits that more idealism is not enough, his body also wants sensual pleasures.