Sonnet XVII

Neruda's Sonnet XVII uses very interesting imagery that is vague enough to allow for multiple interpretations. There is however a strong theme that runs through it that illustrates a contrast between light and dark. The contrast between light and dark is a central theme in many works of literature, spirituality, and many parts of life. In my interpretation of the sonnet, I think Neruda choses words that illuminate, such as salt-rose, topaz, carnation, and fire, and says that his love is "not that" is incredibly interesting. I got the feeling that he is trying to say that his love is steady, indefinite, or lasting. For example, the arrow of carnation the fire shoots off could represent the type of love that burns bright at first but then fades quickly -- like the small blazes that leave the fire as it burns that are bright at first then die down quickly. Instead his love is strong in darkness as well as in the light.

Another interesting aspect of this sonnet in my opinion is the fact that the subject of the authors love is not quite clear. Any reader might have a reaction and an instinctual idea of the subject of the affection from their perspective, however if you read it closely it is seemly vague. It could be a romantic love. For example, a husband and wife or intimate couple who are so close that they are inseparable -- that you couldn't have one without the other which might be relevant to the dark and light theme as well. However, the subject of affection might also be a child or parent at the same time which would represent something more of a platonic love. For example, the author refers to that when "I" doesn't exist that "you" do not either. I can imagine a possibility in which this might represent the existence between a parent and child just as it could represent the spiritual connection between lovers.