'Sonnet 38: How can my Muse want subject to invent' by William Shakespeare


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How can my Muse want subject to invent
While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
O, give thyself the thanks, if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight,
For who's so dumb that cannot write to thee,
When thou thyself dost give invention light?
Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to outlive long date.
If my slight Muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 38: How can my Muse want subject to invent by William Shakespeare

Are you ready to embark on a journey of literary interpretation and criticism that will leave you in awe of the genius of William Shakespeare? If so, then buckle up and let's examine Sonnet 38: How can my Muse want subject to invent.

First, let's take a look at the structure of the sonnet. It consists of 14 lines, which are divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of Shakespearean sonnets.

Now, let's delve into the content of the poem. At the outset, the speaker poses a rhetorical question: "How can my Muse want subject to invent, / While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse / Thine own sweet argument, too excellent / For every vulgar paper to rehearse?" In other words, how can the speaker's creative inspiration (his Muse) be lacking in subject matter when he has the beloved to write about, who is so wonderful that words on paper cannot do justice to his beauty?

The second quatrain continues to extol the virtues of the beloved, describing him as "a man in hue, all 'hues' in his controlling, / Which steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth." The use of the word "hues" is interesting here, as it suggests that the beloved is not just one color, but a combination of many colors that he controls with his presence. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the beloved's charisma and magnetism.

The third quatrain takes a more introspective turn, with the speaker admitting that he is not worthy of the beloved's love: "But let my thoughts work on thee, that alone / Shall shape my liking or thyself define, / And make me, pillowed on thy love, divine." The speaker recognizes that he is not equal to the beloved, but hopes that his thoughts and feelings towards him will shape his own character and make him more worthy of love. The use of the word "divine" at the end of the quatrain suggests that the speaker sees the beloved as almost god-like in his perfection.

The final couplet ties everything together, with the speaker acknowledging that his own writing will never be able to fully capture the beloved's essence: "As he that sees a dark out-looking light, / Music hears not, music cannot tell." The simile of a person seeing a dim light but not being able to hear music suggests that there are some things that cannot be fully comprehended through words or senses. The beloved is one of these things - his beauty and perfection are beyond the reach of the speaker's writing.

So, what can we take away from this poem? One interpretation is that the speaker is in awe of the beloved and is struggling to capture his essence through words. The beloved is almost a deity in the speaker's eyes, and he recognizes his own unworthiness in comparison. Another interpretation is that the speaker is using the beloved as a source of inspiration for his own writing, hoping that by thinking about him and writing about him, he will become a better person.

Whatever interpretation one chooses, there is no denying the beauty and power of Shakespeare's language in this sonnet. The use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid image of the beloved as a multi-colored, magnetic force. The final couplet is especially poignant, acknowledging the limitations of words in capturing the true essence of beauty. Shakespeare is a master of the sonnet form, and this poem is no exception. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the struggle to express it in words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 38: How can my Muse want subject to invent, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that is rich in meaning and symbolism. In this article, we will take a closer look at this sonnet and analyze its various elements.

The poem begins with the speaker questioning how his Muse can lack inspiration. The Muse is a classical concept that refers to the goddesses who inspire artists and writers. The speaker is essentially asking how it is possible for his Muse to be without a subject to write about. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often writes about the struggle of the poet to find inspiration.

The second line of the poem reads, "While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse." Here, the speaker is addressing his Muse directly, acknowledging that she is the source of his inspiration. He is saying that as long as she is alive and breathing, she will continue to inspire him and pour her creativity into his writing.

The third line of the poem reads, "Thine eyes, that taught the dumb on high to sing." Here, the speaker is praising his Muse for her ability to inspire even those who are unable to speak. He is saying that her eyes have the power to teach even the mute to sing. This is a powerful metaphor that speaks to the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire even the most unlikely of artists.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "And heavy ignorance aloft to fly." Here, the speaker is saying that his Muse has the power to lift even the most ignorant of people to new heights. This is another powerful metaphor that speaks to the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire even the most unlikely of artists.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Oh, come, thou goddess, fair and free." Here, the speaker is once again addressing his Muse directly, calling her a goddess and asking her to come to him. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often addresses his Muse directly and begs for her inspiration.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "In heaven yclept Euphrosyne." Here, the speaker is giving his Muse a name, Euphrosyne, which is the name of one of the three Graces in Greek mythology. Euphrosyne is the goddess of joy and mirth, which is fitting given the transformative power of art that the speaker has been describing.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "And by men, heart-easing Mirth." Here, the speaker is saying that his Muse brings joy and happiness to those who experience her art. This is another powerful metaphor that speaks to the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire and uplift.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "Whom lovely Venus at a birth." Here, the speaker is referencing the goddess Venus, who is the goddess of love and beauty. This is fitting given the beauty and elegance of the Muse's inspiration.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "With two sister Graces more." Here, the speaker is referencing the other two Graces in Greek mythology, Thalia and Aglaia. Thalia is the goddess of comedy and poetry, while Aglaia is the goddess of beauty and adornment. These three goddesses together represent the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire and uplift.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "To ivy-crowned Bacchus bore." Here, the speaker is referencing the god Bacchus, who is the god of wine and celebration. This is fitting given the joy and celebration that the Muse's inspiration brings.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Or whether, as some sager sing." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that there are different interpretations of the Muse and her power. He is saying that some people believe that the Muse is a divine being, while others believe that she is simply a figment of the poet's imagination.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "The frolic wind that breathes the spring." Here, the speaker is referencing the wind that brings new life and energy to the world in the spring. This is another powerful metaphor that speaks to the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire and uplift.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "Zephyr with Aurora playing." Here, the speaker is referencing the god Zephyr, who is the god of the west wind, and Aurora, who is the goddess of the dawn. This is fitting given the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire and uplift.

The fourteenth and final line of the poem reads, "As with thy notes, thou dost thyself excel." Here, the speaker is saying that the Muse's inspiration is so powerful that it even surpasses her own abilities. This is a powerful statement that speaks to the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire and uplift.

In conclusion, Sonnet 38: How can my Muse want subject to invent, written by William Shakespeare, is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the transformative power of art and the ability of the Muse to inspire and uplift. Through powerful metaphors and vivid imagery, Shakespeare captures the essence of the Muse and her ability to inspire even the most unlikely of artists. This sonnet is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's poetry and his ability to capture the human experience in all its beauty and complexity.

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