'Sonnet 68: Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn' by William Shakespeare
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Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn,
When beauty lived and died as flowers do now,
Before these bastard signs of fair were born,
Or durst inhabit on a living brow;
Before the golden tresses of the dead,
The right of sepulchres, were shorn away
To live a second life on second head;
Ere beauty's dead fleece made another gay.
In him those holy antique hours are seen,
Without all ornament, itself and true,
Making no summer of another's green,
Robbing no old to dress his beauty new;
And him as for a map doth Nature store,
To show false Art what beauty was of yore.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 68: Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn
William Shakespeare was a master of language, and his sonnets have been read and studied for centuries. One such sonnet, Sonnet 68, is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the theme of time and its effects on the human body. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's language, structure, and themes to uncover its many layers of meaning.
Context and Background
Before we begin our analysis of the poem, it is important to consider its context and background. Sonnet 68 was written by Shakespeare in the late 16th century, during the Elizabethan era. At the time, England was experiencing a period of economic and cultural growth, and Shakespeare was one of the most prominent writers of the time. His sonnets were not published until 1609, but they were circulated among his friends and fellow writers during his lifetime.
Sonnet 68 is part of a larger sequence of sonnets that are addressed to a young man, who is often referred to as the "fair youth." The exact identity of this young man is unknown, but many scholars believe that he was a patron of Shakespeare's or a young aristocrat with whom Shakespeare had a close relationship. The sonnets to the fair youth are some of Shakespeare's most personal and intimate works, and they explore themes of love, beauty, and mortality.
Analysis
Structure and Form
Sonnet 68 is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, which means that it is comprised of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhyming couplet (two-line stanza). The poem's rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of Shakespearean sonnets. The meter of the poem is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is very pleasing to the ear.
The structure and form of Sonnet 68 are important because they help to convey the poem's meaning. The three quatrains each explore a different aspect of the theme of time, and the final couplet provides a conclusion to the poem. The use of iambic pentameter and the rhyme scheme also give the poem a sense of order and balance, which reflects the idea of time as a force that is both constant and predictable.
Language and Imagery
Shakespeare's use of language and imagery in Sonnet 68 is masterful, and it is one of the reasons why the poem has endured for so long. The poem is full of vivid and evocative images that help to bring the theme of time to life. In the first quatrain, Shakespeare compares the young man's cheek to a map of days outworn, which suggests that the passage of time has left its mark on his face. He also uses the phrase "painted counterfeit," which implies that the beauty of youth is fleeting and illusory.
In the second quatrain, Shakespeare continues to explore the idea of time as a destructive force. He describes the young man's eyes as "two windows," which allow time to enter and leave its mark. He also uses the phrase "stains and wrinkles," which suggests that time leaves a physical imprint on the body. The use of these vivid and concrete images helps to make the theme of time more tangible and relatable to the reader.
In the final quatrain, Shakespeare shifts his focus to the idea of memory. He describes the young man's mind as a "table-book," which suggests that it is a blank slate that will eventually be filled with the memories of his life. He also uses the phrase "for lovely imaies you lay in it," which implies that the young man's memories will be filled with beautiful and meaningful experiences. This contrast between the transience of youth and the lasting impact of memory is a powerful one, and it helps to give the poem a sense of depth and complexity.
Themes
The theme of time is central to Sonnet 68, and it is explored in a number of different ways throughout the poem. At its core, the poem is about the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of aging and death. Shakespeare uses the image of the young man's cheek as a map of days outworn to suggest that time is an unstoppable force that leaves its mark on everyone. He also describes the young man's eyes as windows that allow time to enter and leave its mark, which highlights the idea that time is something that we cannot escape.
Another important theme in the poem is the contrast between the physical effects of time and the lasting impact of memory. Shakespeare suggests that while the young man's body will inevitably age and decay, his mind will retain the memories of his youth and the experiences that made his life meaningful. This contrast between the transience of youth and the lasting impact of memory is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea that our lives are shaped not only by the passage of time but also by the memories that we carry with us.
Interpretation
The interpretation of Sonnet 68 is complex and multifaceted, and it will likely vary depending on the reader's own experiences and worldview. However, there are a few key themes and ideas that are worth exploring in more detail.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the human condition. Shakespeare suggests that all of us are subject to the ravages of time, and that no matter how beautiful or youthful we may be, we are all destined to age and die. This idea is both humbling and universal, and it speaks to the idea that we are all connected by our mortality.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of memory and the power of the human mind. Shakespeare suggests that while the young man's body will inevitably age and decay, his mind will retain the memories of his youth and the experiences that made his life meaningful. This idea speaks to the idea that our lives are shaped not only by the passage of time but also by the memories that we carry with us.
Finally, Sonnet 68 can also be read as a love poem. Shakespeare's sonnets to the fair youth are often interpreted as expressions of love and admiration, and Sonnet 68 is no exception. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery in the poem suggests that he is deeply moved by the young man's beauty and that he is aware of the fleeting nature of youth and life. This interpretation highlights the idea that love is not only about physical beauty but also about the deeper connections that we form with others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 68 is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the theme of time and its effects on the human body and mind. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the structure and form of the poem give it a sense of order and balance. The themes of the poem are universal and enduring, and they speak to the human condition in a profound way. Whether read as a meditation on mortality, a celebration of memory, or a love poem, Sonnet 68 is a work of art that speaks to us across the centuries.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 68: Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn - A Masterpiece by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright and poet of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. His works have been studied, analyzed, and admired for centuries, and continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of his most famous works is Sonnet 68, which is a beautiful and intricate piece of poetry that explores the theme of time and its effects on the human body. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "thus" suggests that the speaker is making a comparison or drawing a conclusion based on something that has been previously established. In this case, the "something" is the subject's cheek, which is being compared to a map. The word "map" is significant because it implies a sense of direction and purpose, as well as a record of past events. The phrase "days outworn" suggests that these events are in the past and have been worn away by time.
The second line of the poem reads, "When beauty lived and died as flowers do now." This line is a reference to the transience of beauty and how it fades away over time, much like flowers that bloom and wither. The use of the word "lived" suggests that beauty was once alive and vibrant, but has since died or faded away. This line also sets up a contrast between the subject's cheek, which is a record of past events, and the fleeting nature of beauty.
The third line of the poem reads, "Before these bastard signs of fair were born." The word "bastard" is significant because it implies that the signs of beauty that we see today are not genuine or authentic, but rather a cheap imitation of what once was. The phrase "signs of fair" refers to the physical attributes that we associate with beauty, such as smooth skin, rosy cheeks, and bright eyes. The use of the word "born" suggests that these signs are not natural or inherent, but rather a product of society and culture.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Or durst inhabit on a living brow." The word "durst" is significant because it implies a sense of daring or courage. The phrase "inhabit on a living brow" suggests that these signs of beauty are not only unnatural, but also invasive and parasitic. They take over and dominate the natural features of the face, much like a foreign entity that has taken up residence in a living organism.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Before the golden tresses of the dead." This line is a reference to the hair of the deceased, which was often depicted as golden or shining in literature and art. The use of the word "dead" suggests that this hair is no longer alive or vibrant, but rather a symbol of mortality and decay. This line also sets up a contrast between the subject's cheek, which is a record of past events, and the hair of the dead, which is a symbol of death and decay.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "The right of sepulchres were shorn away." The phrase "right of sepulchres" refers to the right of the dead to be buried with their hair intact. The use of the word "shorn" suggests that this right has been taken away or violated, and that the hair of the dead has been cut off or removed. This line also sets up a contrast between the subject's cheek, which is a record of past events, and the hair of the dead, which has been cut off and removed from the body.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "To live a second life on second head." The phrase "second life" refers to the idea that the hair of the dead is being given a new life on the head of someone else. The use of the word "second" suggests that this life is not genuine or authentic, but rather a copy or imitation of what once was. This line also sets up a contrast between the subject's cheek, which is a record of past events, and the hair of the dead, which has been given a new life on someone else's head.
The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "Ere beauty's dead fleece made another gay." The phrase "beauty's dead fleece" refers to the hair of the deceased, which has been cut off and removed from the body. The use of the word "dead" suggests that this hair is no longer alive or vibrant, but rather a symbol of mortality and decay. The phrase "made another gay" refers to the idea that the hair of the dead is being used to make someone else look beautiful or attractive. This line also sets up a contrast between the subject's cheek, which is a record of past events, and the hair of the dead, which has been cut off and used to make someone else look beautiful.
In conclusion, Sonnet 68 is a beautiful and intricate piece of poetry that explores the theme of time and its effects on the human body. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and powerful picture of the transience of beauty and the inevitability of death. The contrast between the subject's cheek, which is a record of past events, and the hair of the dead, which has been cut off and removed from the body, creates a sense of loss and decay. Overall, this poem is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few short lines.
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