'Sonnet 21: So is it not with me as with that muse' by William Shakespeare


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So is it not with me as with that muse,
Stirred by a painted beauty to his verse,
Who heaven it self for ornament doth use
And every fair with his fair doth rehearse,
Making a couplement of proud compare
With sun and moon, with earth and sea's rich gems,
With April's first-born flowers, and all things rare
That heaven's air in this huge rondure hems.
O, let me, true in love, but truly write,
And then, believe me, my love is as fair
As any mother's child, though not so bright
As those gold candles fixed in heaven's air.
Let them say more that like of hearsay well;
I will not praise that purpose not to sell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 21: So is it not with me as with that muse by William Shakespeare

As I read through Sonnet 21 by William Shakespeare, I am struck by its unique structure and its use of poetic devices to convey the poet's message. This sonnet stands out from the rest of Shakespeare's works, as it seems to be a response to a previous work by the poet. In this essay, I will delve deeper into the poem and analyze its structure, themes, and symbolism, to gain a better understanding of the message that the poet is trying to convey.

Structure and Form

The sonnet is structured in the traditional Shakespearean form, consisting of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. What sets this sonnet apart from Shakespeare's other works is its use of enjambment. Enjambment is a literary device where a phrase or sentence spans over more than one line, without any punctuation at the end of the line. In Sonnet 21, Shakespeare uses enjambment in almost every line, giving the sonnet a very fluid and seamless flow.

Another interesting feature of this sonnet is its use of repetition. The phrase "So is it not with me" is repeated at the beginning of each quatrain, giving the sonnet a sense of unity and coherence. The repetition of this phrase also emphasizes the contrast between the speaker and the muse, which is the central theme of the sonnet.

Themes

The central theme of Sonnet 21 is the contrast between the speaker and the muse. The speaker begins by acknowledging the greatness of the muse, who is able to inspire "mighty men" to achieve great things. He then goes on to contrast himself with the muse, saying that he is not like her, and that he cannot inspire great deeds in others. The speaker seems to be lamenting his own inadequacy, and is perhaps envious of the muse's power.

However, as the sonnet progresses, the speaker begins to assert his own worth. He says that he may not be able to inspire others, but he is content in his own ability to love and be loved. The sonnet ends on a positive note, with the speaker declaring that he is happy with who he is, and that he does not envy the muse's power anymore.

Symbolism

The main symbol in this sonnet is the muse herself. The muse is a symbol of inspiration and creativity, and she represents the ability to achieve greatness. The speaker is contrasted with the muse, and he represents the ordinary person who cannot achieve greatness. However, as the sonnet progresses, the speaker begins to reject this dichotomy, and asserts that his ability to love and be loved is just as important as the muse's ability to inspire.

The sonnet also uses the symbol of time. Time is a recurring theme in Shakespeare's works, and it is often used to symbolize the transience of life. In Sonnet 21, time is used to emphasize the fleeting nature of inspiration. The speaker says that the muse's power will eventually fade, and that her achievements will be forgotten. However, the love that he shares with his beloved will last forever.

Interpretation

Sonnet 21 is a powerful reflection on the nature of inspiration and creativity. The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging the muse's greatness, but it ends with the speaker asserting his own worth. The sonnet seems to be a response to the idea that only great men can achieve great things, and that ordinary people are not worth anything.

The repetition of the phrase "So is it not with me" is a powerful rhetorical device that emphasizes the contrast between the speaker and the muse. The speaker seems to be in awe of the muse's power, but he also seems to be envious of her ability to inspire others. This envy is perhaps a reflection of the society in which Shakespeare lived, where only the wealthy and powerful were able to achieve greatness.

As the sonnet progresses, however, the speaker begins to reject this idea of greatness. He asserts that his own ability to love and be loved is just as important as the muse's ability to inspire. The sonnet ends on a positive note, with the speaker declaring that he is happy with who he is, and that he does not envy the muse's power anymore.

Conclusion

Sonnet 21 is a powerful reflection on the nature of inspiration and creativity. The sonnet uses various literary devices, such as enjambment and repetition, to convey the speaker's message. The central theme of the sonnet is the contrast between the speaker and the muse, and the sonnet ultimately asserts the importance of love and personal fulfillment over external greatness.

Shakespeare's works continue to be relevant today, and Sonnet 21 is no exception. The sonnet reminds us that we are all worth something, regardless of our status or achievements. It encourages us to value ourselves and our own abilities, and to reject the idea that only a select few are capable of achieving greatness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 21: So is it not with me as with that muse, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a sonnet that speaks to the human condition and the struggle to find one's place in the world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that he is not like the muse that Shakespeare wrote about. The muse in question is likely the subject of one of Shakespeare's sonnets, who is described as being perfect in every way. The speaker, on the other hand, is flawed and imperfect. He is not a perfect specimen of humanity, but rather a flawed and imperfect individual.

The first quatrain of the poem sets the stage for the rest of the sonnet. The speaker acknowledges that he is not perfect, but he also recognizes that he is not alone in his imperfection. He says, "So is it not with me as with that muse, / Stirred by a painted beauty to his verse, / Who heaven itself for ornament doth use / And every fair with his fair doth rehearse." The muse that Shakespeare wrote about was inspired by a beautiful woman, and he used her beauty as the subject of his poetry. The speaker, however, is not inspired by such beauty. He is inspired by the imperfections of the world around him.

The second quatrain of the poem continues this theme of imperfection. The speaker says, "Making a couplement of proud compare / With sun and moon, with earth and sea's rich gems, / With April's first-born flowers, and all things rare / That heaven's air in this huge rondure hems." The speaker is saying that he does not compare himself to the perfect things in the world, such as the sun and moon or the rarest gems. Instead, he finds beauty in the imperfect things, such as the first flowers of spring or the air that surrounds us.

The third quatrain of the poem takes a turn, as the speaker begins to question his own worth. He says, "O let me, true in love, but truly write, / And then believe me, my love is as fair / As any mother's child, though not so bright / As those gold candles fixed in heaven's air." The speaker is saying that he may not be as bright or perfect as the things in the heavens, but he is still worthy of love. He is asking the reader to believe in his love, even though he is not perfect.

The final couplet of the poem brings everything together. The speaker says, "Let them say more that like of hearsay well; / I will not praise that purpose not to sell." The speaker is saying that he will not praise something just because it is popular or well-liked. He will only praise something that he truly believes in. He will not sell out his beliefs for the sake of popularity.

The themes of imperfection and self-worth are prevalent throughout this sonnet. The speaker is acknowledging his own imperfections, but he is also recognizing that he is not alone in his imperfection. He finds beauty in the imperfect things of the world, and he is asking the reader to do the same. He is also questioning his own worth, but he is ultimately saying that he is worthy of love, even though he is not perfect.

The structure of the sonnet is also worth noting. It follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is also typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The language is also typical of Shakespeare, with its use of metaphors and imagery.

In conclusion, Sonnet 21: So is it not with me as with that muse, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that speaks to the human condition. It explores the themes of imperfection and self-worth, and it does so in a way that is both beautiful and relatable. The structure and language of the sonnet are typical of Shakespeare, and they add to the beauty and depth of the poem. This sonnet is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's poetry, and it will continue to be studied and admired for generations to come.

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