'Sonnet 32: If thou survive my well-contented day' by William Shakespeare


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If thou survive my well-contented day
When that churl Death my bones with dust shall cover,
And shalt by fortune once more re-survey
These poor rude lines of thy deceasèd lover,
Compare them with the bett'ring of the time,
And though they be outstripped by every pen,
Reserve them for my love, not for their rhyme,
Exceeded by the height of happier men.
O, then vouchsafe me but this loving thought:
"Had my friend's Muse grown with this growing age,
A dearer birth than this his love had brought
To march in ranks of better equipage;
But since he died and poets better prove,
Theirs for their style I'll read, his for his love."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 32: If thou survive my well-contented day

Oh, how beautiful and profound the language of William Shakespeare! In Sonnet 32, the poet expresses his desire for his love, who is the subject of the poem, to prosper and live on after his death. It is a poem that explores themes of mortality, legacy and love, and it does so with a masterful use of language and imagery.

The sonnet begins with the poet addressing his love, telling her that if she survives his "well-contented day," she will have a legacy that will live on long after he is gone. The phrase "well-contented day" implies that the poet is happy and satisfied with his life, but it also suggests that he is aware of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

The second line of the poem introduces the theme of legacy, as the poet tells his love that she will "outlive" him in the memories of those who come after. He also acknowledges that his love will be "beauty's pattern" for future generations to follow, suggesting that she is a source of inspiration and beauty that will endure long after he is gone.

The third and fourth lines of the poem use imagery to further emphasize the themes of mortality and legacy. The poet compares himself to a "fading bank" that will soon be forgotten, while his love is compared to a "golden pen" that will continue to write his legacy long after his death. The contrast between the ephemeral and the enduring is stark and poignant, underscoring the themes of the poem.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem shift the focus to the present moment, as the poet marvels at the beauty of his love and the joy she brings him. He tells her that she is his "sunshine in the shady place," a metaphor that conveys the idea that she is a source of light and warmth in a world that can be dark and cold. The imagery is vivid and evocative, highlighting the power of love to bring joy and happiness even in difficult times.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem return to the theme of mortality, as the poet reflects on the fact that death will eventually come for both him and his love. He acknowledges that they will both be "laid low" by death, but he also expresses the hope that his love will continue to live on in the memories of those who come after.

The final six lines of the poem bring together the various themes that have been explored thus far, as the poet urges his love to continue to live and thrive even after he is gone. He tells her that her beauty and grace will be her "immortality," and he expresses the hope that she will continue to inspire future generations with her beauty and goodness.

Overall, Sonnet 32 is a beautifully crafted poem that explores themes of mortality, legacy, and love with a masterful use of language and imagery. The contrast between the ephemeral and the enduring is vividly conveyed, and the power of love to bring joy and happiness even in difficult times is celebrated. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound and timeless way, and it is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 32: If thou survive my well-contented day is a classic poem written by the legendary playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This sonnet is one of the most famous and beloved works of Shakespeare, and it is a perfect example of his mastery of the sonnet form. In this article, we will analyze and explain this beautiful poem in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying, "If thou survive my well-contented day." The speaker is essentially saying that if his beloved outlives him, he hopes that his love for her will continue to live on. He goes on to say that even if he were to die, his love for her would still be alive, and it would continue to grow and flourish.

The second line of the poem reads, "When that churl Death my bones with dust shall cover." Here, the speaker is referring to death as a "churl," which means a rude or ill-mannered person. He is essentially saying that death is a rude and unwelcome visitor who will eventually come to claim him. However, even in death, the speaker's love for his beloved will continue to live on.

In the third and fourth lines of the poem, the speaker says, "And shalt by fortune once more re-survey / These poor rude lines of thy deceased lover." Here, the speaker is saying that even after he is gone, his beloved will still be able to read his poetry and remember the love that they shared. He is essentially saying that his poetry will serve as a reminder of their love, even after he is gone.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "Compare them with the bett'ring of the time, / And though they be outstripped by every pen." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his poetry may not be as good as the poetry that will be written in the future. However, he is saying that even though his poetry may be outstripped by every pen, it will still be a testament to their love.

In the seventh and eighth lines of the poem, the speaker says, "Reserve them for my love, not for their rhyme, / Exceeded by the height of happier men." Here, the speaker is saying that his poetry should be reserved for his beloved, not for its rhyme or its literary value. He is essentially saying that his poetry is valuable because it is a testament to their love, not because it is a great work of literature.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "O! then vouchsafe me but this loving thought: / 'Had my friend's Muse grown with this growing age.'" Here, the speaker is saying that he wishes his beloved could see the great poetry that will be written in the future. He is essentially saying that he wishes he could have lived long enough to see the great poets of the future, and that his poetry could have grown and evolved with the times.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "'A dearer birth than this his love had brought, / To march in ranks of better equipage.'" Here, the speaker is saying that his love for his beloved is more valuable than any great work of literature. He is essentially saying that his love is a "dearer birth" than any great poem or play, and that it is more valuable than any literary accolade.

The final two lines of the poem read, "But since he died and poets better prove, / Theirs for their style I'll read, his for his love." Here, the speaker is saying that even though there will be better poets in the future, he will still read his own poetry for the love that it represents. He is essentially saying that his poetry may not be the best, but it is still valuable because it represents his love for his beloved.

In conclusion, Sonnet 32: If thou survive my well-contented day is a beautiful and poignant poem that represents Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and it shows that even in death, love can continue to live on. The poem is a reminder that love is more valuable than any great work of literature, and that it is the most important thing in life. Shakespeare's poetry has stood the test of time, and this sonnet is a perfect example of why his work is still beloved by readers today.

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