Men call you fayre

Edmund Spenser's Men call you fayre

Edmund Spenser’s Men call you fayre is a sonnet that engages with Renaissance ideals of beauty, virtue, and the divine, while simultaneously critiquing superficial notions of physical attractiveness. Written during the late 16th century, the poem reflects the philosophical and aesthetic currents of the period, particularly the influence of Neoplatonism, which distinguished between earthly beauty and transcendent, spiritual perfection. Spenser’s work is part of his larger poetic project, which often sought to reconcile classical and Christian thought, and this sonnet is no exception. Through its carefully crafted language, the poem elevates moral and intellectual virtues over mere physical appearance, suggesting that true beauty is immutable and divine in origin.

Historical and Philosophical Context

To fully appreciate Men call you fayre, one must situate it within the intellectual milieu of the Renaissance. The period was marked by a revival of classical philosophy, particularly the works of Plato, whose ideas were synthesized with Christian theology by thinkers such as Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola. Central to this Neoplatonic tradition was the concept of a hierarchy of beauty: physical beauty was considered a mere shadow of a higher, spiritual beauty that emanated from God. Spenser, deeply influenced by this tradition, frequently explores the tension between earthly and divine love in his poetry.

The sonnet also engages with Petrarchan conventions, which often idealized the beloved’s beauty while lamenting its fleeting nature. However, Spenser departs from mere Petrarchan idolization by insisting that true beauty resides not in the body but in the soul. This aligns with Protestant Reformation ideals, which emphasized inner virtue over external appearances. Spenser, who lived during a time of religious upheaval in England, may have been subtly reinforcing the moral austerity promoted by Protestant thought, even as he employed the ornate poetic style favored by the Elizabethan court.

Themes and Argumentation

The central theme of Men call you fayre is the distinction between ephemeral physical beauty and enduring spiritual beauty. The poem opens with an acknowledgment of the beloved’s external fairness, noting that she “credits” the praise she receives because she sees herself as beautiful. Yet Spenser quickly shifts focus, declaring that “the trew fayre” is not the loveliness of the body but “the gentle wit, / and vertuous mind.” This assertion reflects the Renaissance humanist belief in the primacy of reason and moral integrity.

The poem’s argument unfolds logically: physical beauty, no matter how glorious, is subject to decay—it “shall turne to nought and loose that glorious hew.” In contrast, the beauty of the soul is “permanent and free / from frayle corruption.” Here, Spenser employs the metaphor of fading flowers, a common trope in Renaissance poetry (seen also in Shakespeare’s sonnets and the works of Ronsard), to emphasize the transience of earthly beauty. The final lines elevate the beloved’s beauty to a divine origin, suggesting that she is “borne of heauenly seed” and derives her true fairness from God, the source of all perfect beauty.

This movement from physical to spiritual beauty mirrors the Neoplatonic ascent from the material to the divine. The beloved, by possessing virtue and wit, becomes a reflection of heavenly perfection, making her beauty immortal. The closing couplet reinforces this idea with a definitive statement: only God and what He has made truly fair are everlasting, while all other beauty fades “lyke flowers vntymely.”

Literary Devices and Rhetorical Strategies

Spenser’s sonnet is rich in rhetorical devices that reinforce its philosophical argument. The poem employs antithesis—juxtaposing fleeting physical beauty with eternal spiritual beauty—to heighten the contrast between the two. The use of enjambment in lines such as “but onely that is permanent and free / from frayle corruption” creates a fluid, meditative rhythm, inviting the reader to contemplate the nature of true beauty.

The poem also relies on religious diction to underscore its moral and theological dimensions. Words like “diuine,” “heauenly,” and “Spirit” evoke a Christian framework, while the capitalization of “Spirit” suggests the Holy Spirit, aligning the beloved’s virtue with divine grace. The phrase “borne of heauenly seed” carries biblical connotations, possibly alluding to the idea of being born again in Christ (John 3:3) or to the divine origin of the soul.

Another striking feature is Spenser’s use of sound patterning. The repetition of “fayre” throughout the poem creates a sonic resonance that binds the lines together, while subtly shifting in meaning—from superficial fairness to divine beauty. The alliteration in “frayle corruption, that doth flesh ensew” emphasizes the inevitable decay of the body, reinforcing the poem’s central contrast.

Comparative Readings and Biographical Connections

Spenser’s sonnet can be fruitfully compared to other Renaissance works that grapple with the theme of transient beauty. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) similarly argues for the immortality of the beloved through poetry, but where Shakespeare relies on the power of verse to preserve beauty, Spenser locates permanence in virtue and divine connection. Another instructive comparison is with Philip Sidney’s Astrophil and Stella, which oscillates between Petrarchan admiration for physical beauty and frustration with its impermanence. Spenser, by contrast, offers a more resolved and theological perspective.

Biographically, Spenser’s own life may inform the poem’s emphasis on virtue. As a poet deeply invested in the political and religious struggles of his time—most notably in The Faerie Queene, where allegory serves moral and nationalistic purposes—Spenser likely viewed poetry as a vehicle for ethical instruction. Men call you fayre can thus be read as part of his broader project to promote Renaissance humanist and Protestant values.

Emotional and Aesthetic Impact

While the poem is philosophical in its argument, it is not devoid of emotional resonance. The tone is both reverent and admonishing, urging the beloved (and by extension, the reader) to look beyond vanity. There is a quiet urgency in the lines, as if Spenser is pleading for a recognition of higher truths. The final image of flowers fading “vntymely” carries a melancholic beauty, reinforcing the inevitability of decay while elevating the spiritual as the only true refuge.

The poem’s aesthetic power lies in its balance of intellectual rigor and lyrical grace. Spenser’s language is both precise and evocative, marrying logical progression with poetic imagery. The sonnet form itself—traditionally associated with love poetry—is repurposed to convey a moral lesson, demonstrating Spenser’s ability to innovate within established conventions.

Conclusion

Men call you fayre is a masterful synthesis of Renaissance thought, poetic craftsmanship, and moral instruction. Through its Neoplatonic framework, it challenges the reader to reconsider the nature of beauty, privileging the eternal over the ephemeral. Spenser’s sonnet remains relevant today, as contemporary culture continues to grapple with the tension between appearance and substance. In an age obsessed with physical perfection, the poem’s insistence on inner virtue as the true measure of beauty offers a timeless and deeply humane perspective.

Ultimately, Spenser’s work reminds us that poetry is not merely an art form but a means of exploring the most profound questions of human existence. By engaging with Men call you fayre, we participate in a centuries-old conversation about what it means to be truly fair—a conversation that transcends time and speaks to the enduring power of the written word.

This text was generated by AI and is for reference only. Learn more