'Sonnet 113: Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind' by William Shakespeare
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The Sonnets1609Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind,
And that which governs me to go about
Doth part his function, and is partly blind,
Seems seeing, but effectually is out;
For it no form delivers to the heart
Of bird, of flower, or shape which it doth latch;
Of his quick objects hath the mind no part,
Nor his own vision holds what it doth catch;
For if it see the rud'st or gentlest sight,
The most sweet-favour or deformed'st creature,
The mountain or the sea, the day or night,
The crow or dove, it shapes them to your feature.Incapable of more, replete with you,My most true mind thus maketh mine untrue.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 113: Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind
William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, is known for his sonnets that explore the themes of love, beauty, mortality, and time. Among the 154 sonnets he wrote, Sonnet 113 stands out as one of his most intriguing and complex poems. In this sonnet, Shakespeare expresses the idea that even though he has left his beloved's physical presence, her image is still vivid in his mind. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the deeper meanings of this sonnet and explore how Shakespeare uses language, imagery, and structure to convey his thoughts and feelings.
The Language and Imagery of Sonnet 113
Shakespeare begins Sonnet 113 with the line "Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind," which immediately sets the tone of the poem. The phrase "mine eye is in my mind" is a paradoxical statement that suggests that even though Shakespeare is no longer able to see his beloved, her image is still present in his mind. This line also establishes the theme of memory and the power of the imagination to recreate past experiences.
The second line of the sonnet, "And that which governs me to go about," further emphasizes the idea that Shakespeare's thoughts and desires are controlled by his memories of his beloved. The phrase "governs me" suggests that Shakespeare is not in control of his emotions and is instead being led by his thoughts and memories. The use of the word "govern" also implies a sense of authority, as if Shakespeare's memories have a power over him that he cannot resist.
In the third line, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a "winged messenger" to describe his thoughts. He says that his thoughts "flit on wings of Hesperus" and "flee from me when I seek to hold them fast." The image of a winged messenger suggests that Shakespeare's thoughts are both fleeting and elusive, and the reference to Hesperus, the Greek god of the evening star, adds a sense of romanticism to the poem.
The fourth line of the sonnet begins with the phrase "Mine own true love," which is a term of endearment that further emphasizes Shakespeare's deep affection for his beloved. He goes on to describe her image as being "my dear heart's queen," which suggests that she is the ruler of his emotions and desires. The use of the word "queen" also implies a sense of majesty and power, as if Shakespeare's beloved is a regal figure.
In the fifth line, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a "glass" to describe the image of his beloved that he sees in his mind. He says that his thoughts "show me thy force to scorn the identity." The word "glass" suggests that Shakespeare's memory of his beloved is fragile and easily shattered, while the phrase "to scorn the identity" implies that even though the image in his mind is not the physical reality, it is still a powerful representation of his beloved.
Finally, in the concluding couplet of the sonnet, Shakespeare expresses his desire to be reunited with his beloved. He says, "But since my soul, whose child love is, takes flight, / And hath left thee dead, I have no life left." The use of the word "dead" suggests that Shakespeare feels a sense of loss and emptiness without his beloved, and the phrase "no life left" implies that he is unable to find meaning or purpose in his life without her.
The Structure of Sonnet 113
Sonnet 113 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The first quatrain establishes the theme of memory and the power of the imagination to recreate past experiences. The second quatrain focuses on Shakespeare's thoughts and desires, which are controlled by his memories of his beloved. The third quatrain describes the fragility of Shakespeare's memory of his beloved and the power it has over him. The concluding couplet expresses Shakespeare's desire to be reunited with his beloved and his sense of loss without her.
The structure of the sonnet is both symmetrical and balanced, with each quatrain exploring a different aspect of Shakespeare's relationship with his beloved. The use of the concluding couplet to express Shakespeare's desire for reunion and sense of loss is a common feature of Shakespeare's sonnets, and it adds a sense of closure and resolution to the poem.
Interpretation of Sonnet 113
Sonnet 113 is a deeply personal and emotional poem that explores the themes of memory, imagination, desire, and loss. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the power of the mind to recreate past experiences and the ways in which memories can shape our thoughts, emotions, and desires.
Shakespeare's use of language and imagery in the sonnet is both complex and poetic, with each line conveying multiple layers of meaning. The paradoxical statement "mine eye is in my mind" sets the tone of the poem and establishes the theme of memory and imagination. The metaphor of a "winged messenger" adds a sense of romanticism to the poem, while the use of the term "mine own true love" emphasizes Shakespeare's deep affection for his beloved.
The metaphor of the "glass" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that Shakespeare's memory of his beloved is both fragile and powerful. The phrase "to scorn the identity" implies that even though the image in his mind is not the physical reality, it is still a powerful representation of his beloved.
Finally, the concluding couplet expresses Shakespeare's desire for reunion and his sense of loss without his beloved. The phrase "But since my soul, whose child love is, takes flight" suggests that Shakespeare's love for his beloved is a part of his very being, and the use of the word "dead" implies that he feels a sense of loss without her.
In summary, Sonnet 113 is a deeply personal and emotional poem that explores the power of the mind to recreate past experiences and the ways in which memories can shape our thoughts, emotions, and desires. Through its use of language, imagery, and structure, the poem conveys Shakespeare's complex and nuanced relationship with his beloved and his deep longing for reunion.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind: And that which governs me to go about Doth part his function and is partly blind, Seems seeing, but effectually is out;
William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright and poet of all time, wrote this classic sonnet, Sonnet 113. It is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the theme of memory and how it affects our perception of reality. In this article, we will delve into the meaning of this sonnet and analyze its structure, language, and imagery.
The sonnet begins with the speaker stating that since he left his beloved, his eye is in his mind. This line is a metaphor for memory, suggesting that the speaker is constantly thinking about his beloved and that their image is imprinted in his mind. The use of the word "eye" is significant because it suggests that the speaker's memory is visual, and he can see his beloved in his mind's eye.
The second line, "And that which governs me to go about," suggests that the speaker's memory of his beloved is so strong that it affects his daily life. He is unable to focus on his tasks and is distracted by thoughts of his beloved. The phrase "governs me" suggests that the speaker is not in control of his thoughts and that his memory of his beloved is controlling his actions.
The third line, "Doth part his function and is partly blind," suggests that the speaker's memory is interfering with his ability to function normally. He is unable to see things clearly because his memory of his beloved is clouding his vision. The phrase "partly blind" suggests that the speaker is not completely blind but is unable to see things clearly because of his memory.
The fourth line, "Seems seeing, but effectually is out," suggests that the speaker's memory is deceiving him. He thinks he can see things clearly, but in reality, his memory is distorting his perception of reality. The phrase "effectually is out" suggests that the speaker's memory is not reliable and that he cannot trust it completely.
The structure of the sonnet is typical of Shakespearean sonnets, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each quatrain exploring a different aspect of the theme of memory. The final couplet provides a conclusion to the poem and offers a resolution to the speaker's dilemma.
The language used in the sonnet is rich and complex, with many metaphors and allusions. The use of the word "eye" in the first line is a metaphor for memory, and the phrase "partly blind" in the third line is a metaphor for the speaker's inability to see things clearly. The phrase "effectually is out" in the fourth line is a metaphor for the unreliability of memory.
The imagery used in the sonnet is also significant. The image of the "eye" in the first line suggests that the speaker's memory is visual, and he can see his beloved in his mind's eye. The image of being "partly blind" in the third line suggests that the speaker's memory is distorting his perception of reality. The image of "seems seeing" in the fourth line suggests that the speaker's memory is deceiving him.
In conclusion, Sonnet 113 is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the theme of memory and how it affects our perception of reality. The use of metaphors, language, and imagery creates a rich and vivid picture of the speaker's dilemma. The structure of the sonnet is typical of Shakespearean sonnets, with each quatrain exploring a different aspect of the theme. The final couplet provides a conclusion to the poem and offers a resolution to the speaker's dilemma. Shakespeare's mastery of language and imagery makes Sonnet 113 a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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