'Sonnet 56: Sweet love, renew thy force, be it not said' by William Shakespeare


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Sweet love, renew thy force! Be it not said
Thy edge should blunter be than appetite,
Which but today by feeding is allayed,
Tomorrow sharpened in his former might.
So, love, be thou, although today thou fill
Thy hungry eyes, even till they wink with fulness,
Tomorrow see again, and do not kill
The spirit of love with a perpetual dullness.
Let this sad interim like the ocean be
Which parts the shore where two contracted new
Come daily to the banks, that, when they see
Return of love, more blest may be the view;
As call it winter, which being full of care
Makes summer's welcome thrice more wished, more rare.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 56: Sweet love, renew thy force, be it not said

Oh, how beautiful poetry can be! It can make one feel so many emotions with its mere words. And when it comes to William Shakespeare, his sonnets are some of the most beautiful and profound pieces of literature ever written. Today, we are going to take a closer look at one of his most famous sonnets - Sonnet 56: Sweet love, renew thy force, be it not said.

The Poem

Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said Thy edge should blunter be than appetite, Which but to-day by feeding is allay'd, To-morrow sharpened in his former might: So, love, be thou, although to-day thou fill Thy hungry eyes, even till they wink with fulness, To-morrow see again, and do not kill The spirit of love, with a perpetual dullness. Let this sad interim like the ocean be Which parts the shore, where two contracted new Come daily to the banks, that, when they see Return of love, more blest may be the view; Else call it winter, which, being full of care, Makes summer's welcome, thrice more wish'd, more rare.

Interpretation

At first glance, the sonnet seems to be about the nature of love and how it can be renewed. Shakespeare seems to be saying that love, like appetite, needs to be fed regularly to stay sharp and strong. He then gives the example of how love can be renewed by taking a break and returning to it with fresh eyes, just like how the return of summer after a long winter is more appreciated and cherished.

However, upon closer examination, there seems to be a deeper meaning to the sonnet. It seems to be about the struggle of maintaining a long-term relationship. Shakespeare is saying that love needs to be renewed constantly to stay strong and fresh. If one stops feeding it, it will become dull and lifeless.

He then goes on to say that taking a break from love can be beneficial, as it allows the partners to return with fresh eyes and appreciate each other more. The metaphor of the ocean separating two lovers is a powerful one, as it shows that even when apart, the love remains and is only strengthened when they are reunited.

The final lines of the sonnet are particularly interesting, as Shakespeare seems to be saying that the hardships of a relationship, like the winter, only make the return of love, like the summer, more cherished and rare. It is almost as if he is saying that the struggles of a relationship are worth it in the end, as they make the love even stronger.

Literary Criticism

Sonnet 56 is a beautiful example of Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is incredibly powerful, and the metaphors he uses are both beautiful and profound.

One of the most interesting aspects of the sonnet is how it can be interpreted in different ways. On the surface, it is about the renewal of love, but upon closer examination, it seems to be about the struggles of maintaining a long-term relationship. This ambiguity is what makes Shakespeare's poetry so timeless - it can be interpreted in so many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experiences.

Another interesting aspect of the sonnet is how it uses opposites to create tension and contrast. The contrast between "blunter" and "sharpened", "to-day" and "to-morrow", and "sad interim" and "more blest" all serve to create a sense of tension and conflict within the poem. This tension is then resolved in the final lines, where Shakespeare shows how the hardships of a relationship can make the love even stronger.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 56 is a beautiful and profound piece of literature that showcases Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form. The poem can be interpreted in many different ways, but at its core, it is about the struggles of maintaining a long-term relationship and how love needs to be renewed constantly to stay strong and fresh.

Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is incredibly powerful, and the metaphors he uses are both beautiful and profound. The contrast between opposites creates a sense of tension and conflict within the poem, which is then resolved in the final lines.

Overall, Sonnet 56 is a beautiful example of how poetry can capture the complexities of love and relationships, and how the struggles can make the love even stronger. It is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 56: Sweet love, renew thy force, be it not said, is a classic poem written by the legendary William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of the 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 analyze and explain the meaning and significance of Sonnet 56, and explore the themes and literary devices used by Shakespeare in this masterpiece.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing "Sweet love," urging it to "renew thy force." The speaker is asking love to become stronger and more powerful, and not to let anyone say that it has weakened or faded away. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the speaker has a positive and affectionate view of love, and the use of the imperative "renew" shows that the speaker is commanding love to take action.

The second line of the poem, "Be it not said thy edge should blunter be," reinforces the idea that the speaker wants love to remain strong and sharp. The word "edge" suggests that love is like a weapon or tool, and the speaker does not want it to become dull or ineffective. The use of the negative "be it not said" shows that the speaker is concerned about what others might think or say about love.

In the third line, the speaker asks love to "Which to this hour hath bravely succoured me." Here, the speaker acknowledges that love has helped and supported them in the past. The use of the word "bravely" suggests that love has been courageous and valiant in its efforts to assist the speaker. The phrase "to this hour" implies that the speaker is currently in need of love's help and support.

The fourth line of the poem, "That lack of inward joy, by outward dearth," is a bit more complex. The phrase "inward joy" refers to the speaker's emotional state, while "outward dearth" refers to a lack of material possessions or wealth. The speaker is saying that even though they may not have much in terms of material possessions, love has provided them with inner happiness and fulfillment.

In the fifth line, the speaker asks love to "compensate," or make up for, the lack of outward wealth with "abundance's ease." The word "abundance" suggests that the speaker wants love to provide them with an abundance of something, whether it be happiness, comfort, or something else. The use of the word "ease" implies that the speaker wants love to make their life easier and more comfortable.

The final line of the poem, "All this is thine, and all the more's thy due," is a powerful statement. The speaker is saying that everything they have, including their inner joy and happiness, belongs to love. The phrase "all the more's thy due" suggests that the speaker believes love deserves even more than what it has already given them.

Overall, Sonnet 56 is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the theme of love and its ability to provide happiness and fulfillment. Shakespeare uses a variety of literary devices, such as personification, metaphor, and repetition, to convey his message. The use of the imperative "renew" and the negative "be it not said" show the speaker's urgency and concern about love's strength and reputation. The use of the word "bravely" and the phrase "to this hour" show the speaker's gratitude and need for love's support. The contrast between "inward joy" and "outward dearth" highlights the importance of emotional fulfillment over material possessions. Finally, the phrase "all this is thine" shows the speaker's belief that love deserves everything they have and more.

In conclusion, Sonnet 56 is a masterpiece of English literature that continues to inspire and move readers today. Its themes of love, gratitude, and fulfillment are timeless and universal, and its use of literary devices is masterful. Shakespeare's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in just fourteen lines is a testament to his genius as a writer. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, Sonnet 56 is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience the power and beauty of the English language.

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