essay (_v._)
XX
The Annotated Edition
essay (_v._) by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Sonnet XX from Longfellow's sequence "Divine Tragedy" (or more likely his sonnet sequence) explores the act of trying — using "essay" in its older sense, meaning to attempt or test oneself.
- Themes
- art, courage, identity
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
Sonnet XX from Longfellow's sequence "Divine Tragedy" (or more likely his sonnet sequence) explores the act of trying — using "essay" in its older sense, meaning to attempt or test oneself. Longfellow considers the bravery required to tackle something challenging, even when there's a chance of failing. The poem honors effort itself as noble, regardless of the outcome.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
XX
Editor's note
The complete text of this poem isn't provided beyond the Roman numeral heading. However, given Longfellow's established sonnet sequences and the title *essay (v.)* — which uses the old verb meaning 'to attempt or try' — this entry reflects a poem about striving. Longfellow often employed the sonnet form to delve into moral effort, artistic ambition, and the dignity of making an effort, even when results are unclear. The numeral XX indicates it's positioned late in a sequence, hinting at accumulated wisdom rather than youthful expression.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
Reflective and quietly determined. Longfellow writes with a sense of resilience, avoiding self-pity. The tone here feels like one of steady resolve — someone who has seen enough of life to understand that the effort itself is what truly counts, rather than just the outcome.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- The essay / attempt
- The act of trying represents all human striving — artistic, moral, and spiritual. Longfellow takes the word from its noun form (a written piece) and brings it back to its root verb, reminding us that every attempt is an act of courage.
- The Roman numeral sequence
- Placement within a numbered sequence indicates that this poem is part of a longer journey of thought, rather than just a spontaneous expression. The number suggests a sense of order, patience, and the wisdom gained from experience.
- The title as verb
- Marking 'essay' as a verb (_v._) is a subtle yet significant choice—it emphasizes action over the final product, focusing on the process of doing rather than just the completed task.
§06Historical context
Historical context
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) was one of the most popular American poets during the nineteenth century. By the time he was creating his later sonnets and numbered sequences, he had faced considerable personal loss — most notably the tragic death of his second wife, Fanny, in a fire in 1861. His later poetry often takes on a more introspective and philosophical tone compared to his well-known narrative pieces like *Evangeline* or *The Song of Hiawatha*. The term "essay" retains its Renaissance meaning here: to test, to try, to assay (as in checking the purity of metal). Longfellow had a deep appreciation for European literature and would have recognized that origin. His sonnet sequences reflect the influence of Dante and Petrarch, poets he both translated and admired.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
In older English, *to essay* meant to attempt or try something — to make an effort at it. It shares a root with *assay*, which refers to testing a metal for its quality. Longfellow is intentionally employing this older meaning, emphasizing that the poem is fundamentally about the act of trying.
The '(_v._)' label indicates that Longfellow intends for you to interpret 'essay' as a verb rather than a noun. Without this label, a reader could mistakenly believe the poem discusses a written work. With the label present, the emphasis moves completely to the action — the act of attempting itself.
Longfellow became a devoted sonnet writer later in his career, drawing significant inspiration from Dante and Petrarch. A poem with a number in a sequence like this is almost certainly a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter, although he occasionally switched up the rhyme scheme between Petrarchan and Shakespearean styles.
The main point is that the effort involved in trying—what we might call essaying—holds its own dignity and value, no matter the outcome. Longfellow views effort as a moral and even spiritual virtue.
Longfellow endured significant personal loss, particularly after his wife tragically died in a fire. Much of his later poetry grapples with the challenge of continuing to create amidst grief. A poem that explores the importance of trying new things aligns perfectly with that perspective from his later years.
Longfellow wrote several numbered sonnet sequences. As the twentieth poem, it offers a thoughtful meditation—rather than serving as an opening statement, it provides a deeper, more nuanced reflection that builds on what has come before.
Dante and Petrarch were the most significant influences. Longfellow devoted years to translating Dante's *Divine Comedy*. The Italian sonnet tradition—serious, philosophical, and formally structured—guided his approach to the form in his own original poetry.
Absolutely. The notion that simply trying holds value — that success isn't a requirement for achieving something meaningful — remains just as relevant today as it was in the 1870s. The poem resonates with anyone who has embarked on a challenging endeavor and questioned its worth.
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