Sir Thomas Wyatt's poem "Whoso List to Hunt" is an adaptation of the age-old courting rituals of males and females; it may also be an intimation of the relationship between Wyatt and Anne Boleyn. The allegorical meaning within the poem is not missed, nor is the presence of personification. Wyatt is trying to make relating to his love life or lack thereof identifiable to his readers, especially his lady love.
             Sir Thomas Wyatt was born to a wealthy family in Kent, England; 1503. He graduated from Cambridge University and became a diplomat for King Henry VIII, roaming the continent on official business. His constant travels created a rift between him and his wife and they divorced in 1525 because of adulteress acts by his wife. This is also said to be the year he met and courted Anne Boleyn, the future Queen of England. Both, he and Anne were flirtation beings and constantly devoted attention to the other, though Wyatt is said to have been much more serious in regards to the relationship. They were later both punished for their budding relationship, Anne losing her life for treason and Wyatt losing face in court. This poem is said to be a translation of Petrarch's sonnet 190 in honor of Anne Boleyn.
             The poem is broken into three quatrains and an ending rhyming couplet. It has a definite rhyme scheme; abba abba cddc ee and is known as the Petrarchan sonnet. The Petrarchan sonnet is formatted with a problem being stated within the first 3 quatrains and its solution found in the ending rhyming couplet. "Whoso List to Hunt" is no different, the format and rhyme scheme doesn't break from the Petrarchan sonnet configuration.
             The first quatrain develops the problem, the Petrarchan Narrator has fallen for the Petrarchan Mistress, and he ahs been chasing her to no avail, it is metaphorically described as a hunt for a deer. The narrator explains how trying to win his "dear" has worn out his heart and body and he feels nothing but her ...