Love Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda by Pablo Neruda — Analysis & Translation

Original Poem

Love Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda I do not love you as if you were a salt rose, or topaz or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off. I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul. I love you as the plant that never blooms but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers; thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance, risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body. I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; So I love you because I know no other way than this: where I does not exist, nor you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep

Translation (English)

I don't love you like a fancy rose or a shiny gem, or like the fiery arrow of bright flowers. I love you like dark things that are loved quietly, in secret, between shadows and the soul. I love you like a plant that never blooms but holds the promise of hidden flowers inside; thanks to your love, a strong scent, rising from the earth, lives quietly in my body. I love you without knowing how, when, or where. I love you simply, without complications or pride; I love you because I don't know any other way than this: where I don't exist, nor do you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close when I fall asleep.

About the Poet

Pablo Neruda (20th Century)

Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature. Known for his passionate love poems, he wrote in various styles including surrealist and political manifestos. He served as a diplomat and was a close advisor to Chile's socialist president Salvador Allende.

Historical Context

Literary Form: Sonnet
When Written: Published in 1959
Background: This sonnet is part of Neruda's collection 'One Hundred Love Sonnets', which explores the depth and complexity of love. It reflects his ability to express profound emotions and the intimate connection between lovers.

Sources: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49236/one-hundred-love-sonnets-xvii, https://poets.org/poem/one-hundred-love-sonnets-xvii-i-dont-love-you-if-you-were-rose, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda

Detailed Explanation

In 'Love Sonnet XVII', Pablo Neruda expresses a profound and intimate love that transcends conventional comparisons. He begins by stating that his love is not like the typical beautiful things such as a 'salt rose' or 'topaz', but rather like 'certain dark things', suggesting a deep, mysterious, and perhaps hidden affection. This love exists 'in secret, between the shadow and the soul', indicating a private and spiritual connection. Neruda compares his love to a plant that never blooms but holds the essence of hidden flowers, symbolizing potential and unseen beauty. The fragrance of this love, though not visible, is deeply felt within him. The poet loves without understanding the reasons or origins, in a straightforward manner devoid of pride or complexity. He concludes by describing a unity so profound that the boundaries between the lovers blur, illustrating a closeness where their identities merge, and they become one. This sonnet captures the essence of a love that is both simple and profound, transcending physical and superficial attributes to reach a spiritual and emotional depth.

Themes

Literary Devices

Word Dictionary

Word	Meaning	Translation	Transliteration
salt rose	a type of rose	a metaphor for something beautiful and rare	salt rohz
topaz	a gemstone	a precious yellow stone	toh-paz
carnations	flowers	a type of flower often used in bouquets	kar-nay-shuhnz
fragrance	scent	a pleasant smell	fray-gruhns
complexities	complications	difficult and intricate details	kuhm-plek-si-teez
pride	self-respect	a feeling of self-importance	prahyd
shadow	darkness	a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface	sha-doh
soul	spirit	the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being	sohl
bloom	flower	to produce flowers	bloom
straightforwardly	simply	in a direct and uncomplicated manner	strayt-fawr-werd-lee