Here’s a critical appreciation of Michael Drayton’s "Since There’s No Help, Come Let Us Kiss and Part":

Introduction

Michael Drayton’s sonnet "Since There’s No Help" is one of the finest examples of Elizabethan poetry, known for its striking emotional depth and dramatic use of language. The poem is a part of Drayton’s sonnet sequence Idea’s Mirror and encapsulates the speaker’s feelings about the end of a romantic relationship. With its blend of resignation, hope, and dramatic intensity, this sonnet stands out as a masterpiece of the era.

Theme

The central theme of the poem is the painful dissolution of a romantic relationship. The speaker expresses a stoic acceptance of parting but subtly conveys an underlying hope for reconciliation. The sonnet explores the complexities of love, loss, and emotional resilience, encapsulating the bittersweet feelings of finality and lingering affection.

Structure and Form

The poem adheres to the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, consisting of 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a concluding rhyming couplet. It follows the rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG, a hallmark of the Elizabethan sonnet. The poem's iambic pentameter rhythm provides a steady, reflective tone, mirroring the speaker’s controlled emotions even amid inner turmoil.

Analysis of Key Elements

1. Opening Lines

The opening lines, “Since there’s no help, come let us kiss and part,” are strikingly direct and set the tone of resignation. The speaker proposes a calm and rational parting, reflecting a sense of maturity. However, the suggestion to “kiss and part” introduces a poignant contrast, as the physical act of a kiss implies lingering intimacy, betraying the speaker’s deeper feelings.

2. Tone and Contradiction

The poem’s tone is a blend of detachment and suppressed passion. While the speaker outwardly appears resolved to end the relationship, his emotional vulnerability becomes apparent through the imagery and diction. Words like "kiss," "part," and "farewell" carry emotional weight, suggesting the depth of his attachment.

3. Personification

Drayton employs personification to dramatize the speaker’s feelings. Concepts like "Love," "Passion," "Faith," and "Innocence" are given life as they metaphorically “die” with the relationship. For example, “Now at the last gasp of Love’s latest breath” conveys the dramatic finality of the love affair while evoking a sense of tragedy.

4. Imagery

The poem is rich in imagery that reflects the dying relationship. The depiction of love as gasping its “latest breath” and other emotions like "Faith" and "Innocence" as being on their deathbed creates a vivid picture of emotional desolation. This use of metaphorical death heightens the dramatic effect.

5. Volta (Turn)

The volta occurs in the final couplet, where the speaker introduces a glimmer of hope:
“Yet if you would, when all have given him over,
From death to life thou might’st him yet recover.”
Here, the speaker subtly appeals to his lover to reconsider, suggesting that their love, though on the brink of death, could be revived. This turn introduces complexity and ambiguity, leaving the reader pondering the true nature of the speaker’s emotions.

Language and Style

Drayton’s language is both direct and deeply emotive. The simplicity of expressions like “kiss and part” contrasts with the more dramatic and metaphorical descriptions of love’s death. The juxtaposition between rationality and emotion enhances the poem’s intensity, as the speaker’s calm words belie his underlying pain.

Themes of Love and Loss

The poem delves into the universal themes of love and loss, capturing the delicate interplay of acceptance and longing. It explores how relationships can dissolve while leaving behind residual emotions that are hard to reconcile. The speaker's conflicting emotions resonate with readers, making the sonnet timeless in its appeal.

Conclusion

"Since There’s No Help" is a poignant exploration of love’s end, marked by Drayton’s masterful use of sonnet form, vivid imagery, and emotional nuance. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to convey the universal experience of heartbreak while leaving a faint hope for redemption. Drayton’s blending of rational detachment with emotional intensity makes this sonnet a quintessential piece of Elizabethan poetry.