Whoso List to Hunt

WHOSO LIST TO HUNT 

As we all know, must women impossible to pursue. From the very beginning of time, men have been chasing women like crazy. Unfortunately for Sir Thomas Wyatt, this was the case for him as well. Many legends have explained a relationship between Wyatt and Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. The two definitely shared a romantic relationship while Wyatt was married unhappily. He was imprisoned for committing adultery but was released a year later. During that year, Anne Boleyn was executed for committing the same sin. Therefore, in Wyatt’s poem, Whoso list to Hunt, he conceals facts about his relationship with Boleyn which, in the end, left him unsuccessful in marrying her. 

“...I know where is an hind !” (Wyatt lines 1-2). A hind is referred to as a female deer. This is a reference to Anne Boleyn because the poem’s title is translated to, “Whoever Wishes to Hunt”. Boleyn was said to have many suitors besides Wyatt who were chasing her. Therefore, Boleyn is described as a deer who men wish to hunt. 

Thomas Wyatt states, “Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.” (Wyatt 9). Not only does this mean the he is trying to pursue a woman, but it also means that running after a woman is similar unsuccessfully catching wind, both actions, according to Wyatt, are completely impossible. The deer was  “...graven with diamonds in letters plain, There is written, her fair neck round about...” (Wyatt lines 12-13). The engraved necklace has a warning, “Noli me tangere”. Though in Latin, when translated to English, clearly states, “touch me not”. The poem goes on to say, “...for Caesar’s I am...” (Wyatt line 14). Caesar is referred to King Henry VIII, the husband of Anne Boleyn. 

Though Whoso list to Hunt is a short poem, it shares a great deal about the endearment Wyatt had towards Boleyn. The entire poem is dedicated to the estranged relationship the two had for each other. There is no doubt that Anne Boleyn is the “hind” (Wyatt line 2) that Wyatt refers to in the beginning of this poem and that the inscription on the necklace the hind was wearing was a warning. However, most importantly, Anne Boleyn is the sole reason and central metaphor for this love poem of Wyatt’s. 

WORKS CITED

May, John W. Whoso List to Hunt: A Wyatt Sonnet. N.p., 16 June 2009. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. <http://myopicpoets.blogspot.com/2009/06/whoso-list-to-hunt-sonnet-to-queen-anne.html>.

Wyatt, Thomas. Whoso list to Hunt. N.p.: Richard Harrier, 1815. Print.