The Phoenix and the Turtle Summary

“The Phoenix and the Turtle” is an allegorical poem by William Shakespeare. The phoenix is a mythical bird that burns into flames every 500 years and rises again from its own ashes. The turtle (now known as the turtledove) is a bird that typically symbolizes love, loyalty, and devotion. The poem describes the death of the Phoenix and the Turtle, who together symbolize ideal love. It begins with a number of birds (including an owl, eagle, swan, and crow) gathering to remember the Phoenix and the Turtle. The screech-owl and other birds of prey are banned from the gathering because they symbolize death. The next section of the poem is an “Anthem” that describes the mystical love between the Phoenix and the Turtle. Their love unites them into one being while also preserving their individuality. This goes beyond the typical rules of reason and logic. In the third and final section of the poem, Reason is personified and sings a “Threnos” (funeral dirge) for the lovers. Reason cannot understand the mystery of how the Phoenix and the Turtle managed to be two and one at the same time. A love like theirs will never be possible again. With their death, beauty, truth, rarity, and grace have also left the world. Reason asks the mourners to “sigh a prayer” for the Phoenix and the Turtle, who are now buried in an urn.