The Virtual Coffeehouse

They both seem to signify sonnet 18 of Shakespeare we are all familiar with ending with "so long lives this and this gives life to thee." It will leave a piece of the poet behind after death. Both have a sense of an impending conclusion, and ending that no one can escape. It will solidify the "moment" into something lasting. It will always be seen, at night you will see it carved into ivory and during the day you will see it carved into ebony. It seems to be, in the "Conclusion," these moments that make a life worthwhile: "Not the fuit of experience, but the experience itself, is the end" (1512).

Both texts point out this idea of individuality and how no two people are alike. Everyone is different and they are made up with their own characteristics which makes everyone unique. Art is also another common idea shared in both pieces of writing. Art is a way of incorporating life and the ideas of life. It seems as evey description is painted like a picture in the mind of the reader. Art is a great way of tying all the pieces together and putting it in the big picture. There is this contribution to the world before you die that is pointed out by many of the other previous posts that i completely agree with what has already been said. Art before you die gives someone the opportunity to share themselves and their individuality like i discussed above. All art is unique and differnt just like all of us and it is important to share and give that before you die.

By the time I get back to my room at night it always seems as if everyone already has brilliant answers, so I'm just going to go off of what everyone has been saying about the expression of art as a way of memory, "moment's monument". I enjoy the imagery of the memories being carved into time, as though there were no way to erase, it is more than, within art is "the soul." The imagery also of it being the toll, or fee, of life- almost as if the "sonnet" "coin" being given up would mean death.
I hope this makes sense, I'm coming down with something and it is making me a bit loopy.

I agree with what everyone has said so far. I particularly agreed with what was said about the connection with capturing a moment in time. "The Sonnet" certainly suggests this idea from its first line, and "Conclusion" discusses it as well "some mood of passion or insight or intellectual excitement is irresistibly real and attractive to us-- for that moment only (1512). I believe that art is in a lot of ways the capturing of a moment in time and making it eternal, whether it is through a song, a poem, a painting, or a photograph.

I do think that everyone is right about both authors engaging in the issue of making something of themselves through their art work. More generally, I think they're also saying that even if an individual isn't artistic, they should live life to the fullest and be "actively alive."

Pater writes, "To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life." Here I believe he's referring to constantly being aware that you're (universal you) living and knowing that and doing something about it is happiness and success.

Rossetti's opening line, "A Sonnet is a moment's monument," refers directly to writing (art) but I think we as readers can also take it to mean making moments of inspiration monuments. From my perspective, when someone sits down to write a sonnet or anything creative, it's often because he/she is inspired. Making these moments of inspiration monuments can be broaden to be whenever you're (universal you again, sorry) inspired, make it mean something big.

I think that both Rossetti’s “The Sonnet” and Pater’s “Conclusion” have a similar overall vibe (like most everyone has pointed out). However, I don’t think their similarity relies solely on the value of art, but also the value of life. Because life must come to an end eventually, it is good to have something transcendent and timeless to leave behind. Rossetti’s sonnet is being compared to a monument and a monument is typically something commemorating a person for their virtue/heroism/etc - something solid that can be viewed by future generations when mortality leaves no trace of the person to whom the monument commemorates. There is a real value to art and literature and Rossetti’s poem states, “A Sonnet is a coin” (ln. 9) – art being so valuable that it could be used as currency – even to death itself, “it pay the toll to Death” (ln. 14). Both sources talk about Death and the mortality of humans in contrast to the immortality and timelessness of art which can also be a reflection of the soul, in a way allowing the soul to (in a sense) become immortal.

I agree with what everyone has said about the connection between the pieces being about contributing art before death. I like what Daniel says about the similarities also going into the fact that life must come to an end. It seems that both authors are concerned with leaving behind this art in the world after they are gone and contributing to the "beauty."

Since so many people have already replied to this post, I don't really have much to say. I agree that both of these works are concerned with the fact that it is very important to create something, whether it be artwork, before you die. It is important because art is one of the most creative things a person can do. It is also a way for a person to express themselves, and show their inner most feelings and perspectives or experiences without actually having to come right out and say them.