'Sonnet LXVII' by William Shakespeare
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Ah! wherefore with infection should he live,
And with his presence grace impiety,
That sin by him advantage should achieve
And lace itself with his society?
Why should false painting imitate his cheek
And steal dead seeing of his living hue?
Why should poor beauty indirectly seek
Roses of shadow, since his rose is true?
Why should he live, now Nature bankrupt is,
Beggar'd of blood to blush through lively veins?
For she hath no exchequer now but his,
And, proud of many, lives upon his gains.
O, him she stores, to show what wealth she had
In days long since, before these last so bad.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet LXVII by William Shakespeare: An In-Depth Critique and Analysis
William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated English poets of all time. His sonnets have been admired for their beauty, wit, and lyricism. Sonnet LXVII is one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets and has been widely praised for its structure, language, and imagery. In this critique, we will explore the meaning and significance of Sonnet LXVII, as well as the literary devices that Shakespeare employs in the poem.
The Poem
Before delving into the analysis of the poem, let us first read Sonnet LXVII in its entirety:
"Ah! wherefore with infection should he live, And with his presence grace impiety, That sin by him advantage should achieve, And lace itself with his society? Why should false painting imitate his cheek, And steel dead seeming of his living hue? Why should poor beauty indirectly seek Roses of shadow, since his rose is true? Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is, Beggar'd of blood to blush through lively veins? For she hath no exchequer now but his, And, proud of many, lives upon his gains. O! him she stores, to show what wealth she had In days long since, before these last so bad."
The Analysis
Sonnet LXVII is a poem that explores the idea of a person who is living with an infectious disease or a moral contagion. Shakespeare begins the poem with an exclamation, "Ah!," which immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the poem. The speaker asks why this person should be allowed to live with the infection, which is seen as a moral impurity. The infection is personified as a force that gives advantage to sin and laces itself with the company of the morally impure person.
The next quatrain of the poem is focused on the physical appearance of the person with the infection. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of "false painting" to describe the person's appearance. This metaphor implies that the person is trying to hide something, which adds to the sense of their moral impurity. The person's appearance is also described as "dead seeming," which suggests that they are not truly alive or vibrant. This idea is reinforced by the juxtaposition of "living hue" and "dead seeming" in the same line.
In the third quatrain of the poem, Shakespeare explores the concept of beauty and how it relates to the person with the infection. The speaker asks why "poor beauty" should have to seek "roses of shadow" when the true rose is already present in the person with the infection. This suggests that the person's true beauty is hidden by their moral impurity or physical appearance. The final line of the quatrain serves as a bridge to the final couplet of the poem, where Shakespeare reveals the true meaning behind the poem.
The final couplet of the poem serves as a commentary on the state of nature and the world at large. Shakespeare writes that nature is "bankrupt" and "beggar'd of blood" to the point where she can only survive through the gains of the person with the infection. This implies that the world is in a state of decay and desperation, and that the person with the infection is the only source of hope for nature. The final line of the poem, "O! him she stores, to show what wealth she had / In days long since, before these last so bad," is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature in the past, and a lament for its current state of decay.
Literary Devices
Shakespeare employs several literary devices in Sonnet LXVII to enhance the meaning and impact of the poem. One of the most notable devices is personification. The infection is personified as a force that gives advantage to sin and laces itself with the company of the morally impure person. Nature is also personified as a beggar who can only survive through the gains of the person with the infection. This use of personification adds depth and complexity to the poem and allows the reader to better understand the themes and ideas that Shakespeare is exploring.
Another literary device that Shakespeare employs in Sonnet LXVII is metaphor. The metaphor of "false painting" is used to describe the person's appearance, while the metaphor of "roses of shadow" is used to describe the beauty that is sought by those who do not possess the true rose. These metaphors help to reinforce the themes of the poem and provide a vivid image for the reader to hold onto.
Shakespeare also uses enjambment in Sonnet LXVII to create a sense of flow and continuity throughout the poem. The lines often run over into the next, creating a sense of movement and progression. This helps to keep the reader engaged in the poem and adds to the overall impact of the work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet LXVII is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of moral impurity, physical appearance, beauty, and the state of nature. Shakespeare employs several literary devices, including personification, metaphor, and enjambment, to enhance the meaning and impact of the poem. Through his use of language and imagery, Shakespeare is able to create a vivid and lasting impression on the reader. Sonnet LXVII is a testament to the enduring power and beauty of Shakespeare's poetry, and a reminder of why his works continue to be celebrated and admired to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet LXVII by William Shakespeare is a classic example of the poet's mastery of the sonnet form. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. Shakespeare's sonnets are known for their intricate wordplay, complex themes, and emotional depth. Sonnet LXVII is no exception, as it explores the theme of time and its effects on love.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing time directly, asking it to "triumph not, sweet love, renew thy force." The speaker is asking time not to destroy the love that he shares with his beloved. The use of the word "sweet" to describe love is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love is pure and genuine. The speaker is pleading with time to leave his love alone, to not let it fade away.
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues the theme of time and its effects on love. The speaker describes how time can "carve" wrinkles on a person's face and "dig deep trenches" in their brow. This imagery is powerful, as it suggests that time can physically change a person's appearance. The speaker then goes on to say that time can also "ruin the sweetest bud" and "blunt the sharpest knife." This metaphorical language suggests that time can also destroy the most beautiful and perfect things in life.
The third quatrain of the sonnet shifts the focus to the speaker's beloved. The speaker describes his beloved as "fairer than ten thousand fairs." This hyperbolic language suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is intense and all-consuming. The speaker then goes on to say that his beloved's beauty will "outlive this powerful rhyme." This line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved will last beyond the sonnet itself. The speaker is suggesting that his love is eternal, and that it will survive even after he has passed away.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close. The speaker concludes by saying that his beloved's beauty will "live till all things sweet are sour." This line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved will last forever. The use of the word "sour" suggests that everything in life will eventually lose its sweetness, but the speaker's love for his beloved will remain constant.
Overall, Sonnet LXVII is a powerful exploration of the theme of time and its effects on love. The sonnet is structured in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The use of metaphorical language and hyperbole throughout the sonnet creates a sense of intensity and emotional depth. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form, and his ability to explore complex themes in a concise and powerful way.
In conclusion, Sonnet LXVII is a classic example of Shakespeare's ability to explore complex themes in a concise and powerful way. The sonnet explores the theme of time and its effects on love, using metaphorical language and hyperbole to create a sense of intensity and emotional depth. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form, and his ability to create timeless works of literature that continue to resonate with readers today.
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