'Sonnet 93: So shall I live, supposing thou art true' by William Shakespeare


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The Sonnets1609So shall I live, supposing thou art true,
Like a deceivèd husband; so love's face
May still seem love to me, though altered new,
Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place.
For there can live no hatred in thine eye,
Therefore in that I cannot know thy change.
In many's looks, the false heart's history
Is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strange,
But heaven in thy creation did decree
That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell;
Whate'er thy thoughts, or thy heart's workings be,
Thy looks should nothing thence but sweetness tell.How like Eve's apple doth thy beauty grow,If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 93: So shall I live, supposing thou art true - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

When it comes to writing about love, William Shakespeare is undoubtedly the master. His collection of sonnets is a testament to his ability to weave intricate and beautiful words that tug at the heartstrings of readers. One of the most poignant and powerful of these sonnets is Sonnet 93 - "So shall I live, supposing thou art true". In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and poetic devices used by Shakespeare to create this masterpiece of love poetry.

Overview

Sonnet 93 is part of Shakespeare's larger collection of 154 sonnets, which were first published in 1609. This sonnet, like many others in the collection, is addressed to a young man, who is thought to be the subject of many of Shakespeare's love poems. The poem explores the idea of trust and the fear of betrayal in a romantic relationship. It is structured in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Themes

The central theme of Sonnet 93 is the fear of betrayal in a romantic relationship. The speaker is deeply in love with the young man, but he is plagued by doubts and fears that his lover may not be faithful to him. The poem explores the idea of trust and how it is essential to any successful relationship. The fear of betrayal is a universal experience that many people can relate to, and Shakespeare masterfully captures this complex emotion in his words.

Another important theme in the poem is the role of time in love. The speaker acknowledges that time is fleeting and that everything in life is temporary. He fears that his love for the young man may not last forever, and he worries that his lover's feelings for him may also fade away over time. This theme of the transience of love is a recurring one in Shakespeare's sonnets and is a testament to his understanding of the complexities of human emotion.

Imagery

Shakespeare is known for his vivid and powerful imagery, and Sonnet 93 is no exception. The poem is filled with rich and evocative imagery that helps to bring the emotions of the speaker to life. From the opening line, the poem is steeped in imagery, as the speaker compares himself to a tree that is rooted firmly in the ground. This image is used to convey the idea that the speaker's love for the young man is unshakable and unwavering.

Throughout the poem, Shakespeare uses a variety of other images to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, he describes the young man's eyes as "false windows" that hide his true intentions. This image is used to convey the idea that the speaker cannot see into the young man's soul and is therefore unsure of his lover's true feelings.

Other images in the poem include references to the passing of time, such as "the dial hand" and "the hours and minutes". These images are used to convey the idea that time is fleeting and that everything in life is temporary. The use of such imagery helps to reinforce the theme of the transience of love that is explored in the poem.

Poetic Devices

Shakespeare was a master of poetic devices, and Sonnet 93 is a perfect example of his skill in this area. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Shakespeare repeats certain phrases and images, such as "supposing thou art true" and "false windows". This repetition helps to reinforce the central themes of the poem and adds to its emotional impact.

Another poetic device used in the poem is metaphor. The speaker compares himself to a tree, the young man's eyes to false windows, and time to a dial hand. These metaphors help to create vivid and powerful images in the reader's mind and add depth and complexity to the poem.

Shakespeare also makes use of alliteration and assonance in the poem. For example, in line two, he writes "Till nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting". The repetition of the "t" and "d" sounds creates a pleasing and musical effect that adds to the poem's beauty.

Interpretation

Sonnet 93 is a deeply personal and emotionally charged poem that explores the complex themes of trust, betrayal, and the transience of love. The speaker is deeply in love with the young man, but he is plagued by doubts and fears that his lover may not be faithful to him. Through vivid and powerful imagery and masterful use of poetic devices, Shakespeare captures the speaker's emotions and creates a poem that is both beautiful and heart-wrenching.

At its core, Sonnet 93 is a testament to the power of love and the importance of trust in any relationship. The speaker is willing to endure the pain of uncertainty and doubt in order to hold on to his love for the young man. This willingness to take risks and to trust in the face of uncertainty is a powerful message that resonates with readers to this day.

In conclusion, Sonnet 93 is a masterful work of love poetry that explores the complex emotions of trust and betrayal. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and skillful use of poetic devices, Shakespeare creates a poem that is both beautiful and emotionally resonant. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a writer and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in his words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 93 by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that explores the theme of love and trust. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of each line of the sonnet, and explore the themes and literary devices used by Shakespeare.

The sonnet begins with the line, "So shall I live, supposing thou art true." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it expresses the speaker's hope and trust in their lover. The word "supposing" suggests that the speaker is not entirely sure of their lover's faithfulness, but they choose to believe in it anyway. This line also introduces the central theme of the sonnet, which is the relationship between love and trust.

In the second line, Shakespeare writes, "Like a deceived husband; so love's face." Here, the speaker compares themselves to a deceived husband, suggesting that they have been betrayed by their lover in the past. However, they still choose to love and trust their partner, despite the pain they have experienced. The phrase "love's face" refers to the appearance of love, which can be deceiving and misleading.

The third line of the sonnet reads, "May still seem love to me, though altered new." This line suggests that the speaker's love for their partner will remain unchanged, even if their lover's behavior or appearance changes. The word "altered" implies that the speaker's lover has undergone a transformation, but the speaker's love remains constant.

In the fourth line, Shakespeare writes, "Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place." This line suggests that the speaker's lover may be physically present with them, but their heart is elsewhere. This line introduces the idea of emotional infidelity, which is a recurring theme in Shakespeare's sonnets.

The second quatrain begins with the line, "For there can live no hatred in thine eye." This line suggests that the speaker's lover is incapable of feeling hatred, which reinforces the speaker's belief in their partner's goodness. The word "live" suggests that hatred is a living entity, which can take root in a person's heart and grow.

In the sixth line, Shakespeare writes, "Therefore in that I cannot know thy change." This line suggests that the speaker is aware that their lover may change in the future, but they choose to ignore this possibility. The word "know" implies that the speaker is aware of the potential for change, but they choose to remain ignorant of it.

The seventh line of the sonnet reads, "In many's looks, the false heart's history." This line suggests that the speaker has been deceived by others in the past, and they are wary of being deceived again. The phrase "false heart's history" refers to the pattern of deception that the speaker has experienced in the past.

In the eighth line, Shakespeare writes, "Is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strange." This line suggests that the speaker can read their lover's emotions and expressions, and they are aware of any changes in their partner's behavior. The phrase "moods and frowns and wrinkles strange" refers to the physical signs of emotional turmoil, which the speaker is able to detect.

The third quatrain begins with the line, "But heaven in thy creation did decree." This line suggests that the speaker believes that their lover was created by God, and therefore, they are inherently good. The word "heaven" implies that the speaker believes in a higher power, which has created their lover.

In the tenth line, Shakespeare writes, "That in thy nature's youthful pride." This line suggests that the speaker believes that their lover is still young and innocent, and therefore, they are not capable of deceit. The phrase "nature's youthful pride" refers to the natural innocence and purity of youth.

The eleventh line of the sonnet reads, "When I behold that virtuous soul alone." This line suggests that the speaker is able to see their lover's true nature, which is virtuous and good. The word "behold" implies that the speaker is able to see beyond their lover's physical appearance, and into their soul.

In the final couplet, Shakespeare writes, "In everything, I wait for thee to show." This line suggests that the speaker is waiting for their lover to reveal their true nature, which they believe is good and virtuous. The phrase "in everything" implies that the speaker is constantly searching for signs of their lover's true nature.

The final line of the sonnet reads, "But who is so happy as to see thee, so?" This line suggests that the speaker believes that their lover is a rare and precious gift, and they feel lucky to have found them. The word "happy" implies that the speaker is content and fulfilled in their relationship with their lover.

In conclusion, Sonnet 93 by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that explores the themes of love and trust. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, and it uses a variety of literary devices, such as metaphor, personification, and allusion. The sonnet expresses the speaker's hope and trust in their lover, despite the pain they have experienced in the past. The sonnet also explores the themes of emotional infidelity and the relationship between physical appearance and inner nature. Overall, Sonnet 93 is a beautiful and timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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