'Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring' by William Shakespeare


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From you have I been absent in the spring,
When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim,
Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing,
That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue
Could make me any summer's story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew.
Nor did I wonder at the lily's white,
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight
Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.
Yet seemed it winter still, and you away,
As with your shadow I with these did play.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring

William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet, is famous for his contributions to the literary world. One of his famous works is the sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyming scheme. Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring is one of his most captivating sonnets. The poem is a love letter to a lover whom the speaker has been absent from during spring.

Analysis

The sonnet opens with the speaker confessing his absence from his lover during spring. The speaker goes on to describe the beauty of spring and how he wishes his lover could share in this beauty with him. The opening lines "From you have I been absent in the spring, / When proud-pied April dress'd in all his trim" suggests that the speaker regrets not being with his lover during this magnificent season.

The speaker continues to describe the beauty of spring in lines 3-4, "Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing, / That heavy Saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him." The word "spirit" suggests the liveliness of spring, and how everything seems to come alive during this season. The reference to "heavy Saturn" is a metaphor for the old and dreary winter season, which is now being replaced by the youthfulness and vibrancy of spring.

The speaker then turns his attention to his lover, who he imagines is also enjoying the beauty of spring. He imagines her "Walking in beauty like the night," which is a reference to Lord Byron's poem, She Walks in Beauty. The speaker praises his lover's beauty, comparing her to the night, which is a symbol of beauty and mystery.

The speaker then goes on to describe how he wishes he could be with his lover during this season. The lines "Oh! how I wish'd that the heaven had granted / Me some sad hours with you to be spent" suggest the speaker's desire to spend time with his lover during this season. The use of the word "sad" here is not meant to be negative but is rather a reference to the melancholic beauty of spring.

The sonnet concludes with the speaker acknowledging that he cannot be with his lover during this season, but he hopes that their love will endure despite their separation. The lines "Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell / Of different flowers in odour and in hue" suggests that nothing can replace the presence of his lover. The speaker ultimately acknowledges that their love is stronger than distance and that they will be reunited eventually.

Interpretation

Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring is a beautiful love letter from a speaker who is deeply in love with his lover. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of spring and the power of love.

One possible interpretation of this sonnet is that it is a reflection on the transience of beauty. The speaker describes the beauty of spring in great detail, but he also acknowledges that it is fleeting. The lines "And summer's lease hath all too short a date" suggest that the beauty of spring, like all things in life, is temporary. The speaker's desire to be with his lover during this season can be interpreted as a desire to hold on to this beauty for as long as possible.

Another possible interpretation of this sonnet is that it is a reflection on the power of love to transcend distance and time. The speaker acknowledges that he cannot be with his lover during this season, but he also expresses his belief that their love is strong enough to withstand the separation. The lines "But my five wits nor my five senses can / Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee" suggest that the speaker's love for his lover is unwavering and that he will continue to love her despite their distance.

Overall, Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty of spring and the power of love. The poem is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the beauty of nature and the complexity of human emotion in just fourteen lines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring is a beautiful poem that captures the beauty of spring and the power of love. The poem is a reflection on the transience of beauty and the power of love to transcend distance and time. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he captures the essence of spring and the speaker's deep love for his lover with great skill. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's brilliance as a poet and his ability to capture the complexity of human emotion in just fourteen lines.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring is one of William Shakespeare's most famous and beloved poems. It is a sonnet that speaks to the heart of love and longing, and it is a poem that has been analyzed and studied by scholars and readers alike for centuries. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet 98 and explore its themes, structure, and language.

First, let us examine the structure of the sonnet. Sonnet 98 is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the sonnet a musical quality and helps to emphasize the poem's themes.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying "From you have I been absent in the spring." The speaker is expressing his regret at being away from his lover during a time of renewal and growth. Spring is a time of new beginnings, and the speaker feels that he has missed out on something important by not being with his lover during this time.

The second quatrain of the sonnet continues this theme of regret, with the speaker saying "Nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell, / Pointing to each his thunder, rain, and wind, / Or say with princes if it shall go well, / By oft predict that I in heaven find." Here, the speaker is expressing his inability to predict the future or control the forces of nature. He feels that he has missed out on something important by not being with his lover during a time of change and uncertainty.

The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a different turn, with the speaker saying "But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive, / And constant stars in them I read such art / As truth and beauty shall together thrive, / If from thyself to store thou wouldst convert." Here, the speaker is saying that he finds comfort and guidance in his lover's eyes. He believes that his lover possesses a wisdom and beauty that can help them both to thrive, if only she would share it with him.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close, with the speaker saying "Or else of thee this I prognosticate: / Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date." Here, the speaker is saying that if his lover does not share her wisdom and beauty with him, then she will be doomed to a life without truth and beauty. This is a powerful statement, and it underscores the importance of love and connection in our lives.

Now, let us turn our attention to the language of the sonnet. Shakespeare is known for his mastery of language, and Sonnet 98 is no exception. The poem is full of rich imagery and metaphors that help to convey the speaker's emotions.

For example, in the first quatrain, the speaker says "From you have I been absent in the spring, / When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim, / Hath put a spirit of youth in everything, / That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him." Here, Shakespeare is using personification to describe the arrival of spring. He imagines April as a proud and colorful figure, dressed in all his finery, who brings a spirit of youth and vitality to everything around him. This is a powerful image, and it helps to convey the speaker's sense of loss at having missed out on this time of renewal.

In the second quatrain, the speaker uses a metaphor to describe his inability to predict the future. He says "Nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell, / Pointing to each his thunder, rain, and wind, / Or say with princes if it shall go well, / By oft predict that I in heaven find." Here, the speaker is comparing himself to a weatherman who cannot accurately predict the weather. This is a clever metaphor, and it helps to convey the speaker's sense of helplessness in the face of uncertainty.

In the third quatrain, the speaker uses another metaphor to describe his lover's wisdom and beauty. He says "And constant stars in them I read such art / As truth and beauty shall together thrive, / If from thyself to store thou wouldst convert." Here, the speaker is comparing his lover's eyes to stars that guide him through the darkness. This is a beautiful metaphor, and it helps to convey the speaker's sense of awe and admiration for his lover.

Finally, in the final couplet, the speaker uses a powerful metaphor to describe the consequences of not sharing one's wisdom and beauty. He says "Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date." Here, the speaker is comparing the loss of truth and beauty to a death sentence. This is a powerful metaphor, and it underscores the importance of love and connection in our lives.

In conclusion, Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the heart of love and longing. It is a poem that has been analyzed and studied by scholars and readers alike for centuries, and it continues to resonate with us today. Through its structure, language, and imagery, the poem conveys a sense of loss, regret, and hope, and it reminds us of the importance of love and connection in our lives.

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