Spensers Amoretti and the Patterns of Domination and Recognition :: Spenser Amoretti Essays

Spenser's Amoretti and the Patterns of Domination and Recognition Edward Spenser's sonnet sequence, Amoretti[1], traces a lover's difficult courtship of his lady. Though he is eventually successful and they wed, the lover and lady must compromise, each giving up some of their independence and power, before they are able to love each other freely. By using Jessica Benjamin's book, The Bonds of Love, one can see the struggle for dominance and independent identity between the lover and mistress slowly evolving and resolving into a relationship of mutual recognition. Benjamin's model of dominance and recognition identifies the lover and mistress's progress as moving through various stages of domination and submission to mutual recognition, with both selves dominating and submitting at different times before reaching a state of equality. Benjamin bases her model of domination and recognition on the intersubjective theory of psychoanalysis. Intersubjectivity "maintains that the individual grows in and through the relationship to other subjects. Most important this perspective observes that the other[2] whom the self meets is also a self, a subject in his or her own right. It assumes that we are able and need to recognize that other subject as different and yet alike, as an other who is capable of sharing similar mental experiences" (20). Edna also needs recognition because that affirms her selfhood. Otto's recognition of her actions lets Edna define herself more clearly through his response to her actions (21). When Otto doesn't recognize Edna, doesn't treat her as an equal, conflict arises. Edna becomes aggressive, trying to force recognition from Otto. He, when faced with aggression, can either choose to be alone, and therefore somehow destroy Edna, or choose to become attuned to her and surrender (28). Surrender doesn't mean submission here; it means Otto recognizes Edna as an equal. From this surrender, a relationship can proceed on equal footing, with occasional imbalances in power common to relationships. If Otto chooses to destroy Edna, however, domination occurs. A self that chooses domination over surrender is generally fighting for independence. It is afraid to relinquish any independence or control.