Amoretti: A sonnet sequence

Amoretti by Edmund Spenser is a collection of 89 sonnets celebrating the poet’s courtship and eventual marriage to Elizabeth Boyle. Written in the Petrarchan tradition, the sonnets chronicle themes of love, longing, and devotion, blending passionate desire with spiritual reverence. Spenser portrays love as both a trial and a source of transcendent joy, often drawing on nature and mythological imagery to convey his emotions. Central to the sequence is the idea of love’s permanence, culminating in marriage as an enduring union. The series reflects Renaissance ideals of beauty, virtue, and harmony, offering a timeless exploration of romantic and spiritual love.