Mary Wyatt's Sonnet Diction

In the last four lines of the sonnet, Wyatt’s diction encompasses a more personal tone and reveals that the “deer” is an extended metaphor for his beloved “deare.” In the lines “And graven with diamond in letters plain / There is written, her fair neck round about, / “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am, / And wild for to hold, though I seem tame (11-14).” At first glance, it is absurd to think that a wild animal would be wearing a diamond-encrusted necklace. But this “necklace” is a symbol of possession, that another has tamed this hind. This imagery establishes that his pursuit after the woman will only end in him admiring the beauty of her, rather than enjoying her gracefulness. Also, Wyatt cleverly incorporates this image into his sonnet, making the reader think metaphorically about the “deer” representing a beautiful woman. The final line translates as a paradox, describing the elusive hind as something that evades the lover’s every move, while staying calm in his presence. This unattainable love renders Wyatt helpless, as he is tempted to court the fair maiden, but realizes he cannot (and should not) pursue her, as she is the prize of the king.