'Sonnet 107: Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul' by William Shakespeare


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The Sonnets1609Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul
Of the wide world, dreaming on things to come
Can yet the lease of my true love control,
Supposed as forfeit to a confined doom.
The mortal moon hath her eclipse endured,
And the sad augurs mock their own presage;
Incertainties now crown themselves assured,
And peace proclaims olives of endless age.
Now with the drops of this most balmy time
My love looks fresh, and Death to me subscribes,
Since spite of him I'll live in this poor rhyme,
While he insults o'er dull and speechless tribes;And thou in this shalt find thy monument,When tyrants' crests and tombs of brass are spent.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 107: Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul

by William Shakespeare

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this sonnet? Shakespeare truly outdid himself with this one. Sonnet 107 starts off with the speaker stating that his own fears and anxieties aren't what's keeping him up at night, but rather the prophetic soul within him. This immediately grabs the reader's attention because it's not every day that someone talks about their prophetic soul.

But what does it even mean to have a prophetic soul? Well, according to the speaker, it's like having the ability to see into the future. He describes it as a "divining heart," which suggests that his soul has the power to predict events before they happen. This immediately brings up questions about fate and destiny - if the speaker's soul can see what's going to happen, does that mean that everything is predetermined?

The next few lines of the sonnet give us a glimpse into what the speaker's prophetic soul is telling him. He says that his soul is warning him of impending doom - "Some fearful sentence is still ringing in mine ear." The use of the word "sentence" here is interesting because it implies that there's some sort of judgement being made. Is the speaker going to be punished for something he's done? Or is it something completely out of his control?

As the sonnet progresses, the speaker becomes more and more desperate to understand what his prophetic soul is trying to tell him. He says that he's "like a watchman" who is constantly on the lookout for danger. This sense of urgency is palpable in the sonnet - you can almost feel the speaker's anxiety and fear.

But what's really fascinating about this sonnet is the way that Shakespeare plays with language and metaphor. For example, the line "That he that hath it neither hears nor sees" is a great example of a paradox. How can someone have a prophetic soul if they can't hear or see what it's telling them? It's almost as if the speaker is saying that he knows something is going to happen, but he can't quite grasp what it is.

Another interesting metaphor that Shakespeare uses is the image of the "smoky sighs" that come from the speaker's heart. This is a great example of synecdoche, where a part of something is used to represent the whole. In this case, the smoky sighs represent the speaker's anxiety and fear. It's a really effective way of showing how the speaker is feeling without having to explicitly state it.

Overall, Sonnet 107 is a really powerful and thought-provoking poem. It raises questions about fate, destiny, and the human condition in a way that only Shakespeare can. The language and imagery in the sonnet are absolutely beautiful, and the way that Shakespeare plays with metaphor and paradox is truly masterful. Whether you're a fan of poetry or not, this is definitely a poem that's worth reading and analyzing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 107 by William Shakespeare is a classic example of the poet's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words. This sonnet, like many of Shakespeare's works, is a reflection on the nature of love and the human condition. In this article, we will explore the themes and motifs present in Sonnet 107 and analyze the poem's structure and language.

The sonnet begins with the line "Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that he is not afraid of his own fears or the predictions of others. This line also introduces the idea of prophecy, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The second line of the sonnet reads, "Of the wide world dreaming on things to come." Here, the speaker is referring to the world at large and its preoccupation with the future. The phrase "dreaming on things to come" suggests that the world is constantly looking forward to what is to come, rather than living in the present.

In the third line, the speaker says, "The mortal moon hath her eclipse endured." This line is a metaphor for the speaker's own experiences with love. The "mortal moon" represents the speaker's own mortality, while the eclipse represents the ups and downs of love. The fact that the moon has "endured" the eclipse suggests that the speaker has also endured the difficulties of love.

The fourth line of the sonnet reads, "And the sad augurs mock their own presage." Here, the speaker is referring to the predictions of others, which he believes are often incorrect. The phrase "sad augurs" suggests that those who make predictions are often unhappy or pessimistic. The fact that they "mock their own presage" suggests that they are aware of the limitations of their predictions.

In the fifth line, the speaker says, "Incertainties now crown themselves assured." This line is a reflection on the nature of uncertainty. The fact that uncertainties can "crown themselves assured" suggests that even the most uncertain things can become certain over time. This line also introduces the idea of certainty, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The sixth line of the sonnet reads, "And peace proclaims olives of endless age." Here, the speaker is referring to the idea of peace and its association with the olive branch. The phrase "olives of endless age" suggests that peace is eternal and timeless.

In the seventh line, the speaker says, "Now with the drops of this most balmy time." Here, the speaker is referring to the present moment and its potential for healing. The phrase "most balmy time" suggests that the present moment is a time of healing and renewal.

The eighth line of the sonnet reads, "My love looks fresh, and Death to me subscribes." Here, the speaker is referring to the power of love to overcome death. The fact that the speaker's love "looks fresh" suggests that it is still alive and vibrant, even in the face of death.

In the ninth line, the speaker says, "Since, spite of him, I'll live in this poor rhyme." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the limitations of poetry and its inability to fully capture the complexity of human emotions. The fact that the speaker will "live in this poor rhyme" suggests that he is willing to accept the limitations of poetry in order to express his emotions.

The final line of the sonnet reads, "While he insults o'er dull and speechless tribes." Here, the speaker is referring to the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of language. The fact that the speaker is able to express his emotions through poetry suggests that poetry has the power to elevate human language and thought.

In terms of structure, Sonnet 107 follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter gives the sonnet a rhythmic quality that adds to its overall beauty and elegance.

In terms of language, Sonnet 107 is full of rich imagery and metaphors. The use of metaphor allows the speaker to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both accessible and beautiful. The recurring themes of prophecy, uncertainty, and certainty give the sonnet a sense of depth and complexity that is characteristic of Shakespeare's work.

In conclusion, Sonnet 107 is a beautiful and complex reflection on the nature of love and the human condition. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the sonnet conveys a sense of the power of love to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances. The sonnet's structure and language add to its overall beauty and elegance, making it a classic example of Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words.

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