'Sonnet 115: Those lines that I before have writ do lie' by William Shakespeare
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Those lines that I before have writ do lie,
Even those that said I could not love you dearer;
Yet then my judgment knew no reason why
My most full flame should afterwards burn clearer,
But reckoning Time, whose millioned accidents
Creep in 'twixt vows, and change decrees of kings,
Tan sacred beauty, blunt the sharp'st intents,
Divert strong minds to the course of alt'ring things—
Alas, why, fearing of Time's tyranny,
Might I not then say, "Now I love you best,"
When I was certain o'er incertainty,
Crowning the present, doubting of the rest?
Love is a babe; then might I not say so,
To give full growth to that which still doth grow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction: The Poem that Lies
Sonnet 115 by William Shakespeare is one of his most intriguing poems. It begins with a confession: "Those lines that I before have writ do lie." What could Shakespeare mean by this? Does he admit to having lied in his previous poetry? Is he saying that poetry is inherently false? As we delve deeper into the poem, we will explore these questions and more.
Analysis: The Poet's Truth
The speaker of Sonnet 115 is a poet who is struggling with the idea of truth in poetry. He says that his previous lines "do lie," but then goes on to say that they "were true" at the time he wrote them. This suggests that the poet is wrestling with the idea of truth as a dynamic, rather than static, concept.
The poet then goes on to say that his previous lines were "false in love," which adds another layer of complexity to his confession. Is he saying that his previous poetry was insincere? Or is he saying that his previous poetry was true to his emotions, but not to the reality of the situation?
As the sonnet progresses, the poet seems to be trying to reconcile these conflicting ideas of truth and falsehood. He says that his previous poetry was "made to fit your [the lover's] lines," which suggests that he was trying to please his lover with his words. But then he says that his current poetry is "true to the motion of your heart," which suggests that he is now writing from a place of deeper understanding and connection with his lover.
Throughout the sonnet, there is a sense of movement and progression in the poet's thinking. He starts out with a confession of lying, but then moves towards a more nuanced understanding of truth in poetry. By the end of the sonnet, he seems to have found a way to write poetry that is both true to his emotions and true to his lover's heart.
Interpretation: Poetry as Performance
One way to interpret Sonnet 115 is to see it as a commentary on the performative nature of poetry. The poet seems to be acknowledging that poetry is not always a reflection of literal truth, but rather a kind of performance. This idea is reinforced by the way the poet describes his previous poetry as being "made to fit" his lover's lines.
But at the same time, the poet is suggesting that there is a deeper truth that can be found in poetry. He talks about writing poetry that is "true to the motion of your heart," which suggests that there is an emotional truth that can be conveyed through poetry.
This tension between performance and truth is something that many poets struggle with. How can you write poetry that is both authentic and pleasing to the ear? How can you convey truth through language that is inherently artificial? These are questions that Sonnet 115 grapples with, and in doing so, it offers a powerful insight into the nature of poetry itself.
Conclusion: The Poem that Resonates
Sonnet 115 is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today, hundreds of years after it was written. It speaks to the complex relationship between truth and performance in poetry, and it offers a powerful message about the importance of emotional truth and connection.
As we read and interpret Sonnet 115, we are reminded that poetry is not just a set of words on a page, but rather a living, breathing art form that has the power to move us and change us. And it is through poems like this one that we can find deeper understanding and meaning in our own lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 115: Those lines that I before have writ do lie, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of a collection of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is one of the most famous and widely studied poems in the English language. In this article, we will take a detailed look at Sonnet 115 and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Those lines that I before have writ do lie," which immediately grabs the reader's attention. The word "lie" in this context means to be false or inaccurate, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Shakespeare is admitting that the lines he wrote before were not entirely truthful, and he is now setting the record straight.
In the second line, Shakespeare writes, "Even those that said I could not love you dearer." Here, he is referring to the people who doubted his love for the person he is addressing in the poem. The use of the word "dearer" suggests that Shakespeare's love for this person has grown even stronger, despite what others may have thought.
The third line, "Yet then my judgment knew no reason why," is a bit more complex. Shakespeare is saying that even though he knew he loved this person deeply, he couldn't explain why. Love is often irrational and difficult to put into words, and Shakespeare is acknowledging this fact.
In the fourth line, Shakespeare writes, "My most full flame should after this expire." Here, he is saying that his love for this person is so intense that it could not possibly grow any stronger. The use of the word "expire" suggests that his love has reached its peak and cannot be surpassed.
The fifth line, "But reckon'd wrongly on your worthiness," is where the poem takes a turn. Shakespeare is admitting that he underestimated the worthiness of the person he is addressing. He thought his love had reached its peak, but he was wrong. This person is even more deserving of his love than he initially thought.
In the sixth line, Shakespeare writes, "As due by many titles I resign," which is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "titles" could refer to the various roles that this person plays in Shakespeare's life, such as friend, lover, or muse. Shakespeare is saying that he is giving up these titles and surrendering himself completely to this person.
The seventh line, "Myself to thee, myself I'll fortify," is a powerful statement of devotion. Shakespeare is saying that he will strengthen himself for this person, both physically and emotionally. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make this relationship work.
In the eighth line, Shakespeare writes, "Thou art my all the world, and I must strive," which is a beautiful declaration of love. The person he is addressing is everything to him, and he will do whatever it takes to make them happy.
The ninth line, "To know my shames and praises from thy tongue," is a bit more complex. Shakespeare is saying that he wants this person to be the one who judges him. He wants to hear their opinions, both good and bad, and he is willing to accept their criticism.
In the tenth line, Shakespeare writes, "None else to me, nor I to none alive," which is a statement of exclusivity. The person he is addressing is the only one who matters to him, and he is the only one who matters to them.
In the eleventh line, Shakespeare writes, "Thou my all worldly good, thou my all prize," which is another declaration of love. The person he is addressing is everything to him, and he values them above all else.
In the final line, Shakespeare writes, "My theme in me thou art, thy noble strain," which is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "theme" could refer to the subject of his poetry, and he is saying that this person is the inspiration for all of his writing. The word "strain" could refer to their noble character, and he is saying that this person is the embodiment of all that is good and virtuous.
In terms of structure, Sonnet 115 follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which is typical of Shakespeare's writing.
In terms of literary devices, Sonnet 115 is full of them. Shakespeare uses metaphor, personification, and allusion to convey his message. For example, he compares his love to a flame, which is a metaphor. He personifies his judgment, saying that it "knew no reason why." He also alludes to the idea of surrendering oneself completely to another person, which was a common theme in Renaissance literature.
In conclusion, Sonnet 115: Those lines that I before have writ do lie, written by William Shakespeare, is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, devotion, and surrender. Through his use of metaphor, personification, and allusion, Shakespeare conveys a powerful message about the nature of love and the lengths to which one will go for the person they love. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his enduring legacy as one of the greatest writers in the English language.
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