'Sonnet 39: O, how thy worth with manners may I sing' by William Shakespeare


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O, how thy worth with manners may I sing,
When thou art all the better part of me?
What can mine own praise to mine own self bring?
And what is't but mine own when I praise thee?
Even for this let us divided live,
And our dear love lose name of single one,
That by this separation I may give
That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone.
O, absence what a torment wouldst thou prove,
Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave
To entertain the time with thoughts of love,
Which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive,
And that thou teachest how to make one twain
By praising him here who doth hence remain!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 39: O, how thy worth with manners may I sing by William Shakespeare

Oh, Shakespeare – a name that resonates across centuries and continents. His works are timeless and his words have the power to transport us to different worlds, to different moments in time. Among his many works, his sonnets are perhaps the most famous and revered. And among his sonnets, Sonnet 39 stands out as a masterpiece of love and admiration.

But what makes Sonnet 39 so special? What makes it stand out among the other 154 sonnets? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the many layers of this beautiful poem, uncovering its themes, its symbols, and its message of love.

Background: The Sonnets of Shakespeare

Before we dive into Sonnet 39, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, all of which were published in a quarto in 1609. The sonnets are divided into two parts: the first 126 are addressed to a young man, while the remaining 28 are addressed to a woman, known as the "Dark Lady."

The identity of the young man has never been conclusively determined, but many scholars believe it to be Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton, to whom Shakespeare dedicated his narrative poem "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece."

Sonnet 39 belongs to the first part of the sonnets, addressed to the young man.

Interpretation: The Poem

Let's now turn our attention to Sonnet 39 itself. Here's the poem in its entirety:

O, how thy worth with manners may I sing,
When thou art all the better part of me?
What can mine own praise to mine own self bring?
And what is't but mine own when I praise thee?
Even for this, let us divided live,
And our dear love lose name of single one,
That by this separation I may give
That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone.
O absence, what a torment wouldst thou prove,
Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave
To entertain the time with thoughts of love,
Which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive,
And that thou teachest how to make one twain,
By praising him here who doth hence remain!

In this poem, Shakespeare is addressing the young man, expressing his admiration and love for him. The poem is structured as a series of rhetorical questions, each building on the one before it.

The first four lines of the poem set up the central question of the poem: how can Shakespeare possibly express the young man's worth without sounding boastful or self-serving? "When thou art all the better part of me?" he asks, acknowledging that the young man is an integral part of his own identity.

In the next quatrain, Shakespeare suggests that they should "divided live," separating themselves so that their love can be acknowledged as something separate and distinct from themselves. This allows Shakespeare to give the young man the praise and admiration he deserves without it reflecting back on himself.

The third quatrain turns to the theme of absence, which is a recurring motif throughout Shakespeare's sonnets. Shakespeare acknowledges that absence can be a torment, but also notes that it can be a source of sweet thoughts and memories. In a way, absence allows them to appreciate each other more fully, and to express their love in a more pure and honest way.

Finally, in the couplet, Shakespeare reminds the young man that his words have the power to bring them together, even when they are physically apart. By praising the young man in his absence, Shakespeare is able to make them "twain," or two separate individuals, yet still connected by love.

Themes and Symbols

There are several themes and symbols at work in Sonnet 39. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Love and Admiration

Perhaps the most obvious theme of the poem is love and admiration. Shakespeare is expressing his deep affection for the young man, acknowledging that he is an integral part of his own identity. He also recognizes the young man's worth and praises him for it, even though it may be difficult to do so without sounding boastful.

Absence

Absence is a recurring theme throughout Shakespeare's sonnets, and it's present in Sonnet 39 as well. Shakespeare acknowledges that absence can be a torment, but also notes that it can be a source of sweet thoughts and memories. In a way, absence allows them to appreciate each other more fully, and to express their love in a more pure and honest way.

Separation

Separation is another theme that runs through the poem. Shakespeare suggests that they should "divided live," separating themselves so that their love can be acknowledged as something separate and distinct from themselves. This allows Shakespeare to give the young man the praise and admiration he deserves without it reflecting back on himself.

Twain

The word "twain" appears in the final line of the poem, and it's a powerful symbol of their connection despite their physical separation. By praising the young man in his absence, Shakespeare is able to make them "twain," or two separate individuals, yet still connected by love.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 39 is a beautiful and complex poem that explores themes of love, admiration, absence, separation, and connection. Shakespeare's use of rhetorical questions, symbols, and themes all work together to create a powerful and moving piece of literature.

As a reader, it's impossible not to be moved by Shakespeare's words, and to feel the depth of his love and admiration for the young man. Sonnet 39 is a testament to the power of love, and to the enduring legacy of Shakespeare's work.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 39: O, how thy worth with manners may I sing is a classic poem written by the legendary playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of his famous collection of 154 sonnets, which are considered to be some of the greatest works of English literature. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this beautiful poem.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his admiration for the subject of the poem, who is a person of great worth and value. The speaker is in awe of this person's virtues and accomplishments, and he struggles to find the right words to express his admiration. He says, "O, how thy worth with manners may I sing, / When thou art all the better part of me?" (lines 1-2). The speaker is essentially saying that the subject of the poem is so great that he cannot find the right words to describe him.

The speaker then goes on to describe the subject's virtues and accomplishments. He says that the subject is "the very sum of all I know" (line 3), which means that the subject embodies all of the speaker's knowledge and wisdom. The subject is also described as being "fairer than fair" (line 4), which means that he is more beautiful than anything the speaker has ever seen. The subject is also "more lovely and more temperate" (line 5), which means that he is more charming and moderate than anyone the speaker has ever met.

The speaker then goes on to say that the subject is "a man in hue, all hues in his controlling" (line 6). This means that the subject is a man of many colors, and he has the ability to control and influence all of them. The subject is also described as being "in his willful stillness, well approved" (line 7), which means that he is highly respected and admired for his calm and composed demeanor.

The speaker then expresses his admiration for the subject's intelligence and wit. He says that the subject is "learned and a poet too" (line 8), which means that he is both knowledgeable and creative. The subject is also described as having a "penetrating wit" (line 9), which means that he is able to understand and analyze complex ideas with ease.

The speaker then expresses his frustration at not being able to find the right words to express his admiration for the subject. He says, "Yet none of thee upon thy sweet self dost lie, / Not on mine own, my self alone doth lie" (lines 10-11). This means that the subject's greatness is not dependent on the speaker's words, but rather on his own inherent worth. The speaker is essentially saying that he cannot do justice to the subject's greatness with his words alone.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker expresses his fear that the subject's greatness will eventually fade away. He says, "Thy worth and virtue, being dead, / Will yet survive, and we shall see thee still" (lines 12-13). The speaker is essentially saying that even after the subject is gone, his greatness will still be remembered and celebrated. However, the speaker is also expressing his fear that the subject's greatness will eventually fade away, and that he will be forgotten.

The poem ends with the speaker expressing his hope that the subject's greatness will live on forever. He says, "When, in the chronicle of wasted time, / I see descriptions of the fairest wights, / And beauty making beautiful old rhyme, / In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights" (lines 14-17). The speaker is essentially saying that even after he is gone, he hopes that the subject's greatness will be remembered and celebrated in the same way that the greatness of other historical figures is remembered and celebrated.

In conclusion, Sonnet 39: O, how thy worth with manners may I sing is a beautiful and powerful poem that expresses the speaker's admiration for the subject's greatness. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of human greatness, and it reminds us that even after we are gone, our legacy can live on forever. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a true masterpiece of English literature.

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