'Sonnet CXVIII' by William Shakespeare


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Like as, to make our appetites more keen,
With eager compounds we our palate urge,
As, to prevent our maladies unseen,
We sicken to shun sickness when we purge,
Even so, being tuff of your ne'er-cloying sweetness,
To bitter sauces did I frame my feeding
And, sick of welfare, found a kind of meetness
To be diseased ere that there was true needing.
Thus policy in love, to anticipate
The ills that were not, grew to faults assured
And brought to medicine a healthful state
Which, rank of goodness, would by ill be cured:
But thence I learn, and find the lesson true,
Drugs poison him that so fell sick of you.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet CXVIII by William Shakespeare: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

William Shakespeare's Sonnet CXVIII is a beautiful piece of poetry that showcases his mastery in expressing complex emotions in a concise and elegant form. This sonnet is all about the speaker's love for his beloved, and how he experiences it through the medium of a poem. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the nuances of this sonnet and explore its themes, imagery, and language in detail.

Overview of Sonnet CXVIII

Let's start with the basics. Sonnet CXVIII is one of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets, which he wrote in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The sonnet is written in the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet (two-line stanza). Each line in the sonnet has ten syllables, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Here's the sonnet in its entirety:

Like as, to make our appetites more keen,
With eager compounds we our palate urge;
As, to prevent our maladies unseen,
We sicken to shun sickness when we purge;
Even so, being full of your ne'er-cloying sweetness,
To bitter sauces did I frame my feeding;
And, sick of welfare, found a kind of meetness
To be diseased, ere that there was true needing.
Thus policy in love, to anticipate
The ills that were not, grew to faults assured,
And brought to medicine a healthful state
Which, rank of goodness, would by ill be cured;
But thence I learn and find the lesson true,
Drugs poison him that so fell sick of you.

Analysis of Sonnet CXVIII

Theme

The overarching theme of Sonnet CXVIII is the paradoxical nature of love. The speaker compares his love for his beloved to a sickness that he willingly inflicted upon himself. He acknowledges that his love for his beloved is so intense that it led him to seek out bitter experiences, just to enhance the pleasure he derives from her sweetness. This paradoxical nature of love is a recurring theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is explored in various ways throughout the collection.

Imagery

Shakespeare uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey the speaker's thoughts and feelings in Sonnet CXVIII. The most prominent imagery in the sonnet is that of sickness and medicine. The speaker compares his love to a sickness that he willingly contracted, and he uses the metaphor of medicine to describe the way in which he manages his love. He speaks of the "policy in love, to anticipate / The ills that were not," suggesting that he is taking preventative measures to ensure that his love does not become a source of pain or suffering.

Another prominent image in the sonnet is that of taste. The speaker compares his love to a "ne'er-cloying sweetness" that he cannot get enough of. He also speaks of "bitter sauces" that he willingly consumed, just to enhance the pleasure he derives from his beloved's sweetness. This image of taste reinforces the idea that the speaker's love is a visceral, physical experience that he is willing to go to great lengths to satisfy.

Language

Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet CXVIII is masterful. He employs a range of literary devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and repetition, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. For example, in the first two lines of the sonnet, he uses alliteration to create a sense of urgency and anticipation:

Like as, to make our appetites more keen,
With eager compounds we our palate urge;

The repetition of the "k" and "p" sounds in these lines creates a sense of propulsion, as if the speaker is urging himself (and the reader) to pay attention.

Shakespeare's use of metaphor is also noteworthy in this sonnet. He compares his love to a sickness that he willingly inflicted upon himself, and he uses the metaphor of medicine to describe the way in which he manages his love. This metaphorical language adds depth and complexity to the speaker's thoughts and feelings, and it allows the reader to connect with the emotions being expressed.

Structure

The structure of Sonnet CXVIII is typical of Shakespeare's sonnets. It consists of three quatrains and a concluding couplet, with each line having ten syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure allows Shakespeare to explore the paradoxical nature of love in a concise and elegant form. The use of a couplet at the end of the sonnet also allows the speaker to make a final statement or resolution, which in this case is a warning about the dangers of love.

Interpretation

So, what does Sonnet CXVIII mean? At its core, the sonnet is a meditation on the paradoxical nature of love. The speaker acknowledges that his love for his beloved is intense and all-consuming, and yet he willingly inflicts pain and suffering upon himself in order to enhance the pleasure he derives from that love. The metaphor of sickness and medicine reinforces the idea that love is a powerful force that can be both healing and destructive.

One way to interpret the sonnet is as a cautionary tale about the dangers of love. The speaker warns that love can be like a drug, with the potential to poison and harm those who become too addicted to it. He also suggests that there is a fine line between love and obsession, and that it is important to maintain a healthy balance between the two.

Another interpretation of the sonnet is as a celebration of the power of love. The speaker's willingness to suffer for the sake of his beloved suggests that love is a force that transcends reason and logic. In this interpretation, the sonnet is a testament to the transformative power of love, and a reminder that it is worth the risk of pain and suffering to experience its fullness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet CXVIII is a masterful piece of poetry that explores the paradoxical nature of love in a concise and elegant form. Shakespeare's use of imagery, metaphor, and language creates a rich and complex portrait of the speaker's thoughts and feelings, and allows the reader to connect with the emotions being expressed. Whether interpreted as a cautionary tale or a celebration of the power of love, this sonnet is a timeless reminder of the enduring human experience of love and its complexities.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet CXVIII by William Shakespeare: A Masterpiece of Love and Devotion

William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and his sonnets are considered to be some of the finest examples of the form. Among his many sonnets, Sonnet CXVIII stands out as a masterpiece of love and devotion. In this 14-line poem, Shakespeare explores the nature of love and the power it holds over us all.

The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, telling them that he loves them more than words can express. He says that his love is so strong that it cannot be measured by any earthly means, and that it will endure even after death. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of love.

The second quatrain of the sonnet explores the idea that love is not something that can be controlled or contained. The speaker says that his love is like a flame that burns bright and cannot be extinguished. He compares his love to the sun, which shines down on all of us equally, regardless of our station in life. This metaphor suggests that love is a force that is greater than us all, and that it has the power to unite us in a way that nothing else can.

The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of time and how it affects our love. He says that time cannot diminish his love, and that it will continue to burn bright even as the years go by. He compares his love to a tree that grows stronger with each passing year, and says that it will endure even after he is gone. This idea of love as something that transcends time is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it speaks to the enduring power of love in our lives.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close with a powerful declaration of love. The speaker says that his love is so strong that it will continue to grow even after he is dead and gone. He says that his beloved will always be in his heart, and that their love will endure forever. This final couplet is a testament to the power of love to transcend even death, and it is a fitting end to a poem that celebrates the enduring nature of love.

Overall, Sonnet CXVIII is a masterpiece of love and devotion. It explores the power of love to unite us all, and it speaks to the enduring nature of love in our lives. Shakespeare's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and his words have the power to move us even today. This sonnet is a testament to the enduring power of love, and it is a reminder that love is the greatest force in the universe.

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