Question

Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627) lived and wrote during the Golden Age of literature in Spain. He wrote many poems, sonnets and dramas. The next poem is one of his sonnets.
While for competing with your hair

While for competing with your hair
gold burnished in the sun shines in vain;
while with contempt in the middle the plain
look your white face the beautiful lilio;

while to each lip, by cogello,
they follow more eyes than to the early carnation;
and while he triumphs with lush disdain
from the shining crystal your gentle neck:

enjoys neck, hair, lip and forehead
before, what was in your golden age
gold, lilio, carnation, crystal luciente,

not only in silver or cut cane
come back, but you and it together
on land, in dust, in smoke, in shadow, in nothing.

 Task: What is the central theme of this poem? What does the author imply about life and death? What do you think about this poem?

Your response should be in at least 1-2 paragraphs long.

Answer 1

The poem deals with the themes of youth and beauty. It reminds us of the importance of enjoying beauty and youth while they last. The first section of the poem describes the beauty of a young woman. It talks about her golden hair, white face, red lips, and gentle neck. The second section asks her to enjoy all of these qualities that she possesses before they are gone. Gongora says that not only does youth not come back, but soon the woman and the beauty will turn to dust, smoke, shadow, nothing.

The author is trying to remind us that life is short, and that youth does not last very long. He is asking us to seize the day and enjoy our lives before we turn to dust. It is a very useful reminder for young and old to appreciate each day and try to make the most of our time in the world.