With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies! Theme of Love

Tons of sonnets are about love, and "With How Sad Steps" is no exception. But this poem isn't about any ordinary old love. No, no, no. It's about a very painful, unrequited love, a love that wreaks so much havoc that Astrophel starts seeing visions of it all over the place (like, in the moon for example). Clearly, the love described in this poem isn't the way it should be, as Astrophel implies that Stella is treating his constant love as a total joke. That is seriously cold-blooded, y'all. We would talk to the moon, too.

Questions About Love

  1. We know it's weird, but who might the moon be in love with anyway?
  2. Why do you think Astrophel's beloved (Stella) is treating him the way he implies? 
  3. Is it possible that Astrophel's love, while pure, has become annoying to Stella? Is it time for him to give it a rest already maybe? Why or why not?
  4. What do you make of Cupid's appearance in this poem? Is it funny, charming, scary, weird? Why?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

Believe it, gang. Asphodel is proof that love is powerful enough to affect the way we look and act.

The poem shows that, with intense love, comes intense pain. Um, yay?