Summary Of The Poem 'Hynde' By Sir Thomas Wyatt

Poetry Worksheet 1 Kate Coulter-Smith 14500097
A. Sir Thomas Wyatt, [Who so list to hount where is an hynde], Penguin #54
1. What does ‘list’ (line 1) mean in the first line of the poem?
‘list’ in the first line of the poem means ‘likes’ or ‘pleases’ (Woudhuysen & Norbrook, P.182)

2. What does ‘hount’ (line 1) mean?
‘hount’ in line one means “hunt” (OED).
3. What animal is identified in this poem?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary Online ‘hynde’ is a female deer, which is the animal identified in the poem.
4. Re-write lines 1-4 in prose.
Whoever likes to hunt, I know where there is a female deer,
But as for me, I can’t anymore.
The pointless task has tired me greatly,
I am now the furthest behind.
5. What is the subject of the poem?
Wyatt explains for people who have an interest

How is the woman represented in lines 73-81?
3. How is the young man’s age written on his body?
4. How is the man characterized through the representation of his clothing?

B. 1. This section of the poem begins by describing the beauty of a woman with her “faire eyes sweet smyling” (Woudhuysen & Norbrook, P. 217) practically naked “snowy brest was bare” (Woudhuysen & Norbrook, P. 217) lying side by side next to her new found lover. The lover she has lured into her den is a knight who is of good virtue “honorable place” (Woudhuysen & Norbrook, P. 217). The woman has lulled this unassuming knight whose weapons are hung up behind him into a deep slumber and is sucking his soul from his body as he sleeps.

2. In lines 73-81 the woman is described as half-naked “brest was bare to readie” (Woudhuysen & Norbrook, P. 217). She is shown to be extremely beautiful with “faire eyes sweet smyling” (Woudhuysen & Norbrook, P. 217). The beautiful woman oozes a sense of attraction and sexuality. She is described as being undeniably beautiful it is no surprise this defenceless knight was lured into her