Narrator, “Idea 20: An evil spirit, your beauty, haunts me still”
The narrator of this poem feels that he is being emotionally haunted by the memory of a particularly beautiful woman he saw one day. The narrator is tempted to think impure thoughts about this woman and act upon those thoughts. He therefore concludes that the woman’s beauty must be an evil spirit that has invaded his soul and possessed him—filling him with evil and impure thoughts. In short, the narrator of this poem feels ashamed that he was so taken with this woman’s physical beauty that he feels as if he is being tortured by an evil, seductive spirit.
Narrator, “Idea 51: Calling to mind since first my love begun”
The narrator of this poem reflects upon the long-lasting love he still harbors for an unnamed woman. The narrator describes a series of historical-level events that he has witnessed over the course of his life. He points out that these events pale in comparison to the strength and span of his love; it transcends these events and continues to this day. In short, the narrator is desperately in love with an unnamed woman and has vowed to be forever dutiful to her.
Narrator’s Love, “Idea 51: Calling to mind since first my love begun”
Though little is known about the woman that features in this poem, what is know is that she was deeply and madly loved by the narrator. This woman does not appear to be in the narrator’s life. It is possible that the narrator met her once in passing and was so taken with her physical beauty that he fell madly in love. She serves as the object of the narrator’s affections and the subject of the poem.
Narrator, “Idea: To the Reader of these Sonnets”
Unlike many of his other poems, the narrator of this poem is very clearly an extension of author Drayton. In this poem, Drayton speaks directly to his readers. He wants to explain why he writes the poems that he writes. The narrator concludes that his poetry is an extension and reflection of his thoughts and imaginings. It is for this reason that is poetry is very diverse and covers a wide array of topics.
Narrator, “Idea 37: Dear, why should you command me to my rest”
The narrator of this poem is deeply enamored with nightfall and the whimsy of evening. He wishes that he could stay out all night and reminisce with his friends and colleagues. The narrator believes that nightfall should be a time of celebration and fellowship; he believes that evenings bring people closer together and is most discouraged by the fact that his wife/significant other is calling him to bed.
Dear, “Idea 37: Dear, why should you command me to my rest”
Little is known about the narrator’s “Dear.” The narrator addresses her at the beginning of the poem, when it is clear that she is calling him to bed. The narrator clearly views her request as a nag, given his obsession with nighttime and wish to remain outdoors in the evening.
