'Sonnet 77: Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear' by William Shakespeare


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Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear,
Thy dial how thy precious minutes waste;
These vacant leaves thy mind's imprint will bear,
And of this book, this learning mayst thou taste.
The wrinkles which thy glass will truly show
Of mouthèd graves will give thee memory,
Thou by thy dial's shady stealth mayst know
Time's thievish progress to eternity.
Look what thy memory cannot contain,
Commit to these waste blanks, and thou shalt find
Those children nursed, delivered from thy brain,
To take a new acquaintance of thy mind.
These offices, so oft as thou wilt look,
Shall profit thee and much enrich thy book.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 77: Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear by William Shakespeare

Oh, Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Shakespeare! How can I even begin to describe the beauty and complexity of your work? And this sonnet, number 77, is no exception. In these 14 lines, you manage to pack in so much meaning and emotion that it's hard to know where to start.

Let's begin with the title: "Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear." A glass, of course, refers to a mirror, and in this case, it's implied that the speaker is addressing a young man who is looking at himself in the mirror. But why? What does Shakespeare want to convey through this image?

One interpretation is that the speaker is urging the young man to take a good, hard look at himself and to see how time is affecting his appearance. "How thy beauties wear" suggests that the young man is not as young as he used to be, and that his physical beauty is starting to fade. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, where he often addresses the ravages of time and the inevitability of aging.

But there's more to it than just that. The speaker also seems to be suggesting that the young man's beauty is not just a matter of physical appearance, but also of inner qualities. "Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear, / Thy dial how thy precious minutes waste," he says, implying that the young man's worth is not just in how he looks, but also in how he spends his time.

This is a powerful message, and one that is just as relevant today as it was in Shakespeare's time. We live in a culture that often values youth and physical appearance above all else, but Shakespeare reminds us that true beauty comes from within, and that it is ultimately our character that defines us.

But there's more to this sonnet than just the message. Shakespeare's use of language is, as always, masterful. The rhyme scheme is a classic Shakespearean sonnet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance that is mirrored in the content of the poem itself.

And then there are the images that Shakespeare uses. "Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear," he says, conjuring up a powerful visual image of the young man looking at himself in the mirror. "Thy dial how thy precious minutes waste," he continues, using the image of a clock to suggest the passing of time.

But perhaps the most striking image in this sonnet is the final couplet: "So thou, thyself outgoing in thy noon, / Unlooked on diest, unless thou get a son." This is a powerful statement, implying that the young man's legacy depends on his ability to have a son. But why is this so important?

One interpretation is that Shakespeare is suggesting that the young man's legacy depends on his ability to continue his bloodline. In Shakespeare's time, this was an important consideration for many families, and having a son was often seen as a matter of great importance.

But there's also a more metaphorical interpretation. By suggesting that the young man's legacy depends on his ability to have a son, Shakespeare is perhaps suggesting that our legacy depends on the impact we have on others. It is not just about continuing our bloodline, but about making a difference in the world and leaving a lasting impression on those around us.

In this sense, the final couplet is perhaps the most powerful part of the sonnet. It reminds us that our time on this earth is limited, and that what we do with that time is ultimately what defines us.

So what can we take away from this sonnet? Firstly, that true beauty comes from within, and that our worth is not just in our physical appearance, but in our character and our actions. Secondly, that time is fleeting, and that we must make the most of the precious minutes we have. And finally, that our legacy depends on the impact we have on others, and that we must strive to make a difference in the world.

Thank you, Shakespeare, for this beautiful and thought-provoking sonnet. Your words continue to inspire and challenge us, even 400 years after you wrote them.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 77: Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear by William Shakespeare is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. The poem is a reflection on the nature of beauty and how it fades over time. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this sonnet.

The poem begins with the line, "Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear." The word "glass" refers to a mirror, and the speaker is telling the subject of the poem to look at themselves in the mirror. The word "beauties" refers to the subject's physical appearance. The speaker is suggesting that the subject should take a good look at themselves in the mirror to see how their beauty has changed over time.

The second line of the poem reads, "Thy dial how thy precious minutes waste." The word "dial" refers to a clock or a sundial. The speaker is telling the subject that just as a clock or sundial measures time, the mirror measures the passing of time on their physical appearance. The word "precious" suggests that time is valuable and should not be wasted.

The third line of the poem reads, "The vacant leaves thy mind's imprint will bear." The word "vacant" refers to empty or blank. The speaker is suggesting that the subject's mind is like a blank page, waiting to be filled with thoughts and memories. The word "imprint" suggests that the subject's experiences and thoughts will leave a mark on their mind, just as a stamp leaves an imprint on paper.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "And of this book this learning mayst thou taste." The word "book" refers to the subject's life experiences. The speaker is suggesting that the subject can learn from their experiences and gain knowledge and wisdom. The word "taste" suggests that the subject can savor the lessons they have learned and apply them to their life.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "The wrinkles which thy glass will truly show." The word "wrinkles" refers to the lines and creases that appear on the subject's face as they age. The speaker is suggesting that the mirror will show the subject the physical signs of aging. The word "truly" suggests that the mirror does not lie and will show the subject the truth about their appearance.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Of mouthed graves will give thee memory." The word "mouthed" refers to the opening of a grave. The speaker is suggesting that the wrinkles on the subject's face will remind them of their mortality and the inevitability of death. The word "memory" suggests that the subject will remember their mortality and be reminded to live their life to the fullest.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Thou by thy dial's shady stealth mayst know." The word "stealth" refers to the quiet and secretive nature of time. The speaker is suggesting that the subject can measure the passing of time by the shadows cast by the sundial. The word "shady" suggests that time is elusive and difficult to grasp.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "Time's thievish progress to eternity." The word "thievish" refers to the idea that time steals moments from our lives. The speaker is suggesting that time is constantly moving forward, stealing moments from our lives and leading us towards eternity. The word "progress" suggests that time is moving forward towards a destination.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Look what thy memory cannot contain." The speaker is suggesting that the subject's memory is limited and cannot contain all of their experiences and thoughts. The word "look" suggests that the subject should take a good look at themselves in the mirror to see what their memory cannot contain.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "Commit to these waste blanks and thou shalt find." The word "commit" refers to the idea of dedicating oneself to a task. The speaker is suggesting that the subject should commit to filling the blank pages of their mind with their experiences and thoughts. The word "waste" suggests that the blank pages are waiting to be filled with valuable information.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Those children nursed, delivered from thy brain." The word "children" refers to the ideas and thoughts that the subject has created. The speaker is suggesting that the subject's thoughts and ideas are like children that have been born from their mind. The word "nursed" suggests that the subject has cared for and nurtured their thoughts and ideas.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "To take a new acquaintance of thy mind." The word "acquaintance" refers to the idea of getting to know someone or something. The speaker is suggesting that the subject should get to know their own mind and thoughts better. The word "new" suggests that the subject may discover something new about themselves.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "These offices, so oft as thou wilt look." The word "offices" refers to the duties or tasks that the subject must perform. The speaker is suggesting that the subject should look at themselves in the mirror often to remind themselves of their mortality and the importance of living their life to the fullest.

The final line of the poem reads, "Shall profit thee and much enrich thy book." The speaker is suggesting that by looking at themselves in the mirror and reflecting on their experiences and thoughts, the subject will gain knowledge and wisdom that will enrich their life. The word "book" refers to the subject's life experiences and the lessons they have learned.

In terms of structure, Sonnet 77 follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality.

The language used in Sonnet 77 is rich and poetic. Shakespeare uses metaphors and imagery to convey his message. The use of the mirror as a metaphor for time and the passing of beauty is particularly effective. The language is also reflective and contemplative, encouraging the reader to reflect on their own experiences and thoughts.

In conclusion, Sonnet 77: Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear by William Shakespeare is a classic poem that explores the themes of beauty, time, and mortality. The poem encourages the reader to reflect on their own experiences and thoughts and to live their life to the fullest. The structure and language of the poem are rich and poetic, making it a timeless piece of literature.

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