"Since There's No Help"

Hello Readers...

Welcome to this blog in this blog we are going to analyse the poem "Since there's no help" by Michael Drayton. In this blog i tried to analyse the poem and discuss some major themes and Literary devices of poem. This task is a part of thinking activity. 

About Author :

Michael Drayton (1563-1631) was an English poet known for his works during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Born in Hartshill, Warwickshire, Drayton's poetry covers a wide range of genres, including historical and topographical verse, sonnets, and pastoral poetry.

One of his most famous works is "Poly-Olbion" (1612, 1622), an extensive topographical poem celebrating the geography, history, and legends of England and Wales. Drayton's "Idea's Mirror" (1594) and "Idea" (1599) are collections of sonnets reflecting the influence of the Italian and English sonnet traditions.

Drayton was also associated with the literary group known as the "Sons of Ben," followers of Ben Jonson. Despite not achieving the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, Drayton's contribution to English literature, particularly his ambitious and detailed "Poly-Olbion," is still appreciated by scholars today.

About poem :

"Since There's No Help," also known as Sonnet 61 from Michael Drayton's collection "Idea," is one of his most celebrated poems. Written in the early 17th century, this sonnet is a poignant and eloquent depiction of a breakup, articulated with a unique blend of resignation and lingering hope.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that he is finally ready to end the relationship, expressing a sense of relief. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this relief is laced with lingering feelings. The turning point, or volta, in the final couplet reveals that despite the outward acceptance of the end, there remains a glimmer of hope for reconciliation.

Drayton's use of the Shakespearean sonnet form (three quatrains followed by a couplet) allows for a structured yet emotional exploration of the themes of love, separation, and the complexity of human emotions. The poem is admired for its emotional depth and masterful use of poetic form.

For original poem (click here)

Analysis of poem :

The poem "Since There's No Help" by Michael Drayton is a sonnet that expresses the end of a romantic relationship. 

1) Breakup Announcement :

The speaker begins by saying that since there's no hope of fixing their relationship, they should part ways. He sounds firm and resolved, saying goodbye to love and everything that came with it.

2) Freedom and Relief :

Initially, the speaker feels a sense of relief and freedom. He talks about leaving behind all the emotions and actions associated with love—kissing, sighing, and crying.

3) Regret and Sadness :

Despite the initial firmness, the speaker reveals deeper feelings. He realizes that this separation means the death of all the good times they shared. He personifies Love, Passion, Faith, and Innocence as dying or leaving.

4) A Last Glimmer of Hope: 

In the end, the speaker leaves a small opening for reconciliation. He suggests that if they act quickly, they might be able to revive their love, much like someone might revive a dying person.

Overall, the poem captures the complex emotions involved in ending a relationship—ranging from a sense of relief to deep regret and a faint hope for renewal.

Major themes :

The poem "Since There's No Help" by Michael Drayton explores several major themes:

1).The End of Love: 

The primary theme is the end of a romantic relationship. The speaker is declaring that the love affair is over and is reflecting on the finality of their separation.

2).Emotional Conflict: 

The poem reveals the speaker’s mixed emotions. While he expresses a sense of relief at ending the relationship, there is also sorrow and regret. This conflict highlights the complexity of human emotions when it comes to love and loss.

3).Hope and Despair:

Even as the speaker accepts the end of the relationship, there is a lingering hope that their love might be revived. This tension between hope and despair underscores the uncertainty and ambivalence that often accompany breakups.

4).Personification of Emotions: 

The poem personifies emotions and abstract concepts like Love, Passion, Faith, and Innocence, treating them as if they were characters that can live or die. This technique emphasizes the profound impact of the relationship’s end on the speaker’s inner world.

5).Resilience and Change:

Despite the sorrow and finality, the speaker’s acknowledgment of a faint hope for reconciliation suggests resilience and the possibility of change. It reflects the idea that even in the face of ending, there can be a chance for renewal or transformation.

These themes together create a rich tapestry of the human experience of love, highlighting its intensity, its conflicts, and its enduring impact.

Conclusion :

Michael Drayton's "Since There's No Help" eloquently captures the multifaceted nature of ending a romantic relationship. The poem vividly portrays the speaker’s initial determination to part ways, followed by an underlying sorrow and regret, and a faint glimmer of hope for reconciliation. Through the use of personification and emotional conflict, Drayton illustrates the deep and complex emotions associated with love and loss. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the inevitability of change and the enduring hope that love, even in its final moments, might still find a way to survive.