Sonnet 18

Petrarch uses light symbolism throughout the Canzoniere. On a physical level, Laura has light blonde or golden hair, as well as a light complexion and eyes. Light is repeated in “Sonnet 18,” four times in the Italian (luce) and in Durling’s translation, and three times in Kline’s translation. On a symbolic level, this connects Laura’s beauty with goodness, as light is a symbol of goodness. Light, for Petrarch, is connected with classical (pre-Christian) poetry, as well as with his own Catholic understanding of good and evil. As a humanist, Petrarch believed in the value of what his cohort called pagan works and not limiting education and scholarship to Christian writers and writings. Light, to pre-Christian writers, also symbolized goodness.

Petrarch uses a large amount of fire symbolism in his sonnets. Petrarch’s use of fire as a symbol of passionate love inspired many later sonneteers and poets. The lover’s fiery desire is contrasted with Laura’s icy indifference or rejection. For instance, “cold ice came from those lovely eyes” is in the Canzoniere’s 59th poem. Petrarch also uses paradoxes like icy fire to describe his beloved. In “Sonnet 18,” fire is not stated directly but implied through the verbs “burn and melt” (Line 4).