I. Reproach

The sonnet “Reproach” followed a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Each stanza clearly spoke about a particularly side of the poem. The characters Petrarch and Laura are compared throughout the poem. Petrarch is an outspoken person who openly expresses his opinions, while Laura is more quiet and unwilling to express her feelings.
In the first stanza the poet begins by introducing the first character, Petrarch. The poet says “Ah! little cause has Petrarch to complain” By saying the author allows the reader to infer that Petrarch is living the good life. He has does not really have much to make a fuss about but the line 2 of the poem comes in. “Since thus he boasts his wound, thus vaunts the smart” In this line, the poet is revealing another characteristic of Petrarch. The words boast and vaunt share the same meaning. By reiterating this action the poet is stressing the fact that Petrarch is open and talkative to the reader. The poet then introduces Laura the second character in the third line of the poem. As the poem continues, “While Laura struggles to conceal the pain, Derived from silence and a bursting heart.” These lines contrast the characters because while Petrarch was extremely outspoken, Laura was quiet and held her emotions inside. Her bursting heart confirms that her emotions are large in quantity.
After the poet introduced the characters in the first stanza, he reveals the secret emotions of Laura. “For dear she holds the Poet and his lay: But this avowal meets no human ear.” The emotions Laura has bottled up inside of her are feeling for Petrarch. In this particular line the use of the word avowal caught my attention. An avowal is open statement of affirmation. To say that this open statement meets no human ear, hints at the fact that her emotions are emotions that are obvious or worn on her face. However, the poem continues stating “Nor the conscious eye of tell-tale day.” This line negates the thought of Laura’s emotions being obvious and leaves the reader questioning whether her emotions are outwardly seen.
The third stanza delves into how Laura deals with her emotions. “She tries each varied art, each strange disguise …” in order to cover up the feelings she has for Petrarch. The poet says she smiles to cover her sighs. Each line in stanza develops an image for the reader that shows how Laura hides her emotions. The ending couplet concludes saying that although Laura’s emotions are causing her pain no one will ever help her or sympathize with her because she chooses to hide them. On the other hand Petrarch will receive attention and sympathy because he vocalizes his feelings.