In the poem "Laura", she is depicted as a "divine woman" possessing profound eyes, shimmering golden hair, and movements reminiscent of an angel. The final line reveals that Laura experienced changes in her appearance over time; she aged and her beauty diminished as a result.
ANALYSIS
Even though Laura presents differently in both the "present" and "past", the speaker's affection for her remains unchanged. This highlights the essence of true love, which transcends mere physical attributes. The shared memory the speaker holds about Laura is her beauty.
The poem "Laura", authored by Italian poet Francesco Petrarch, explores a man's long-standing fascination with a woman and her allure. The composition is a love poem, reportedly crafted over about two decades, with the majority of these pieces compiled in Canzoniere or Rime. Laura is believed to represent Laura de Noves, a woman and mother from Avignon, France. However, because Petrarch provided no specific identification of Laura, alternative interpretations of her identity have emerged among readers. Some critics argue that Laura could be an imaginative figure rather than a reflection of one specific individual.
According to the narrative, Petrarch was likely to encounter Laura for the first time on April 6, 1327, at a Church of Sts. Claire, Avignon. Through his poetry, he portrays Laura as an enduring obsession that lasted until his death on April 6, 1348.
EXPLORE MORE
If you're interested in delving deeper into this subject, you might want to check out these related questions:
• Who was the first poet to popularize the sonnet form?
• Which notable writer from the Renaissance composed Sonnets to Laura?
KEY TERMS: Francesco Petrarch, Laura de Noves, Laura poem, Canzoniere, Rime, Laura's depiction
Subject: English
Class: 10-12
Subchapter: Literature
