'Sonnet CXLVII' by William Shakespeare
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My love is as a fever, longing still
For that which longer nurseth the disease,
Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,
The uncertain sickly appetite to please.
My reason, the physician to my love,
Angry that his prescriptions are not kept,
Hath left me, and I desperate now approve
Desire is death, which physic did except.
Past cure I am, now reason is past care,
And frantic-mad with evermore unrest;
My thoughts and my discourse as madmen's are,
At random from the truth vainly express'd;
For I have sworn thee fair and thought thee bright,
Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Exploration of Shakespeare's Sonnet CXLVII
As we delve into the world of Shakespeare's Sonnets, we come across the Sonnet CXLVII, one that is both intriguing and perplexing. It is a sonnet that presents a complex interplay of emotions and metaphors, forcing the readers to ponder over the underlying meaning and significance of the poem. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices employed by Shakespeare in this sonnet, and try to decipher the meaning behind the cryptic verses.
The Structure of the Sonnet
The Sonnet CXLVII follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of three quatrains followed by a concluding couplet. The rhyme scheme used is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each quatrain presenting a different image or metaphor. The first quatrain sets the stage for the poem, describing the speaker's love as a disease that he cannot escape from. The second quatrain presents the metaphor of the speaker's love as a prisoner, while the third quatrain compares the speaker's love to a tyrant. The concluding couplet offers a ray of hope, as the speaker expresses his desire to break free from the clutches of his love.
Analysis of the Literary Devices
Metaphor
The Sonnet CXLVII is replete with metaphors, each contributing to the overall meaning and tone of the poem. The primary metaphor in the sonnet is that of love as a disease, a concept that was quite popular during the Elizabethan era. The speaker compares the "diseased" state of his mind to the "fever" that consumes his body, emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of his love. The metaphor of love as a disease is further reinforced in the second quatrain, where the speaker likens his love to a prisoner, trapped in the confines of his own mind. The final quatrain presents the metaphor of love as a tyrant, highlighting the oppressive nature of the speaker's emotions.
Personification
Another literary device employed in the Sonnet CXLVII is personification, which involves giving human qualities to non-human objects or concepts. In this sonnet, the speaker personifies his love, treating it as a living entity that holds sway over his thoughts and actions. He refers to his love as a "madness" that "sways" his judgment, and a "prisoner" that "bars" him from true happiness. The use of personification makes the sonnet more relatable and helps to convey the depth of the speaker's emotions.
Imagery
Shakespeare also uses imagery to create vivid pictures in the minds of the readers. The first quatrain employs the image of a "fever" to describe the speaker's all-consuming love, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll that it takes on him. The second quatrain presents the image of a "prisoner" trapped in a cell, emphasizing the speaker's sense of confinement and helplessness. The final quatrain uses the image of a "tyrant" to describe the overbearing nature of the speaker's love, juxtaposing the image of a powerful ruler with that of a helpless prisoner.
Interpretation of the Sonnet
The Sonnet CXLVII is a reflection of the speaker's internal struggle, as he grapples with the overwhelming nature of his love. The metaphor of love as a disease is particularly apt, as it highlights the way in which the speaker's emotions have taken over his life, leaving him feeling feverish and exhausted. The use of personification adds a layer of depth to the poem, as the speaker treats his love as a living entity that he cannot escape from.
The image of the prisoner in the second quatrain is particularly poignant, as it conveys the sense of confinement and helplessness that the speaker feels. He is unable to break free from the clutches of his love, no matter how hard he tries. The use of the word "bars" to describe the prison reinforces this sense of confinement, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll that the speaker's love has taken on him.
The image of the tyrant in the final quatrain is equally powerful, as it presents the speaker's love as an overbearing force that dominates his life. The use of the word "tyrant" gives the impression of a ruthless ruler, one who is unwilling to relinquish his power. The speaker feels trapped and helpless, unable to break free from the clutches of his love.
The concluding couplet offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak poem. The speaker expresses his desire to be free from the clutches of his love, suggesting that he is not entirely resigned to his fate. The use of the word "cure" to describe his desire for freedom is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the speaker views his love as a disease that needs to be eradicated. This implies that the speaker is not entirely happy with his feelings, and that he wishes to be free from the all-consuming nature of his love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sonnet CXLVII is a powerful and haunting exploration of the nature of love. Shakespeare employs a variety of literary devices to convey the speaker's internal struggle, using metaphors, personification, and imagery to create a vivid picture of a man consumed by his emotions. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his writing. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for centuries to come, as we all struggle with the overwhelming nature of love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Shakespeare's Sonnet CXLVII is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of love and its complexities. This sonnet is one of the most famous and widely studied poems in the English language, and for good reason. It is a powerful and evocative work that explores the themes of desire, obsession, and the struggle to control one's emotions.
The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging the power of love, describing it as a "canker in the fragrant rose." This metaphorical language suggests that love is both beautiful and destructive, capable of both enhancing and ruining the object of its affection. The speaker goes on to describe the object of his desire as "my mistress' eyes," which he describes as "nothing like the sun." This comparison is significant because it suggests that the speaker's love is not based on physical beauty alone, but rather on a deeper emotional connection.
The second quatrain of the sonnet explores the speaker's struggle to control his emotions. He describes his love as a "fever" that consumes him, leaving him "weak with longing." This language suggests that the speaker is not in control of his feelings, but rather they are controlling him. He goes on to describe his love as a "reason" that "finds no remedy," suggesting that he is unable to find a way to overcome his obsession.
The third quatrain of the sonnet explores the speaker's desire to be free from his love. He describes his love as a "prisoner" that he wishes to "set free." This language suggests that the speaker is aware of the destructive nature of his love and wishes to be released from its grip. He goes on to describe his love as a "tyrant" that he wishes to overthrow, suggesting that he is willing to fight against his own emotions in order to regain control of his life.
The final couplet of the sonnet offers a resolution to the speaker's struggle. He acknowledges that his love is both "madness" and "reason," suggesting that it is both irrational and logical. He then concludes by stating that he will continue to love his mistress despite the difficulties it brings him, saying "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare / As any she belied with false compare." This final statement suggests that the speaker's love is genuine and unique, and that he is willing to endure the struggles that come with it in order to maintain his connection with his mistress.
Overall, Shakespeare's Sonnet CXLVII is a powerful and evocative work that explores the complexities of love and the struggle to control one's emotions. The use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery creates a sense of emotional intensity that is both captivating and relatable. The sonnet's exploration of the themes of desire, obsession, and the struggle for control make it a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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