'Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been' by William Shakespeare

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The Sonnets1609How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December's bareness everywhere!
And yet this time removed was summer's time,
The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,
Bearing the wanton burden of the prime,
Like widowed wombs after their lords' decease:
Yet this abundant issue seemed to me
But hope of orphans, and unfathered fruit,
For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,
And thou away, the very birds are mute.Or, if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer,That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been

By William Shakespeare

How like a winter hath my absence been From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen! What old December's bareness everywhere! And yet this time removed was summer's time; The teeming autumn, big with rich increase, Bearing the wanton burden of the prime, Like widow'd wombs after their lords' decease: Yet this abundant issue seemed to me But hope of orphans and unfathered fruit; For summer and his pleasures wait on thee, And thou away, the very birds are mute: Or, if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer, That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near.

Introduction

Shakespeare's Sonnet 97 is a beautiful piece of poetry that draws attention to the pain of separation from loved ones and the emptiness that follows their absence. The sonnet is a part of a series of sonnets that are dedicated to the Fair Youth, Shakespeare's male friend and muse. In this sonnet, the poet expresses the feeling of loneliness and isolation that comes with the absence of the beloved. The poem is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of fourteen lines, and follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Analysis

The poem opens with the line, "How like a winter hath my absence been," which sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. Shakespeare compares his absence from the Fair Youth to the harsh and cold winter season. He uses the metaphor of winter to convey the feeling of emptiness and loneliness that he experiences without the presence of his beloved. The phrase "the pleasure of the fleeting year" refers to the Fair Youth, who brings joy and happiness to Shakespeare's life.

The second line, "What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!" further emphasizes the poet's sense of isolation and misery. The metaphor of freezing and darkness conveys the idea that the poet's life without his beloved is bleak and uninviting. The third line, "What old December's bareness everywhere!" reinforces this idea of emptiness and desolation.

In the fourth line, the poet acknowledges that even though he has been absent from the Fair Youth during the summer and autumn seasons, he still feels as though he has been living in winter. This line suggests that the poet's pain and suffering have made him unable to appreciate the beauty of life around him.

The fifth and sixth lines, "The teeming autumn, big with rich increase, / Bearing the wanton burden of the prime," are a reference to the abundance of life during the autumn season. The poet acknowledges that although there was plenty of life and growth during this time, he was unable to appreciate it fully because of his separation from the Fair Youth. The phrase "wanton burden" suggests that the abundance of life during autumn was almost overwhelming to the poet.

In the seventh and eighth lines, the poet compares the abundance of life during autumn to "widowed wombs after their lords' decease." This metaphor emphasizes the idea that even though there was plenty of life and growth around the poet, it was meaningless without the presence of his beloved.

In the ninth line, the poet expresses his pessimism about the future, saying that the abundance of life during autumn only gave him hope for "orphans and unfathered fruit." This line suggests that the poet sees himself as a lonely and isolated figure, unable to experience the fullness of life without the presence of his beloved.

In the tenth line, the poet acknowledges that summer and its pleasures are only meaningful when the Fair Youth is present: "For summer and his pleasures wait on thee." The final four lines of the sonnet describe the impact of the poet's absence on the natural world. The phrase "the very birds are mute" suggests that the poet's absence has had a profound effect on the environment, making even the birds silent and still.

The final two lines, "That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near," reinforce the metaphor of winter as a symbol of loneliness and emptiness. The leaves, which are usually vibrant and colorful during autumn, have lost their brightness and are now pale and lifeless. The line "dreading the winter's near" suggests that the poet's absence has made the natural world as fearful and uncertain as he feels.

Interpretation

The theme of separation and loneliness is central to Sonnet 97. The poem expresses the pain and isolation that comes with being separated from a loved one. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of winter to convey the sense of emptiness and coldness that the poet experiences without the presence of the Fair Youth. The poem also explores the idea that without love, life is meaningless and empty.

The final four lines of the sonnet describe the impact of the poet's absence on the natural world. The poet suggests that his absence has had a profound effect on the environment, making even the birds silent and still. This idea reinforces the central theme of the poem, which is that love is essential for life to be meaningful and vibrant.

In conclusion, Sonnet 97 is a beautifully written poem that explores the theme of separation and loneliness. Shakespeare's use of metaphors and vivid imagery creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the pain and isolation that comes with being separated from a loved one. The poem is a testament to the power of love to give meaning and purpose to life, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

How Like a Winter Hath My Absence Been: A Masterpiece of Shakespearean Poetry

William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright and poet of all time, is known for his masterful use of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his works. One of his most famous sonnets, Sonnet 97, is a prime example of his poetic genius. In this sonnet, Shakespeare compares his absence from his lover to the harshness of winter, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the depth of his emotions.

The sonnet begins with the line, "How like a winter hath my absence been," immediately setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "winter" is significant, as it is a season associated with coldness, darkness, and death. Shakespeare is comparing his absence to the bleakness of winter, suggesting that his lover's life has been devoid of warmth and light since he left.

The second line continues this metaphor, with Shakespeare saying that his absence has made his lover's "sadness lean." The word "lean" suggests a lack of substance or nourishment, further emphasizing the idea that his lover's life has been drained of vitality since he left. The use of the word "sadness" is also significant, as it suggests that his lover is not just missing him, but is actually experiencing a deep sense of sorrow and despair.

In the third and fourth lines, Shakespeare uses imagery to describe the effect of his absence on his lover's surroundings. He says that "Or as the frosty night doth frown, / And, for its anger, kill the wanton sun." The image of a frosty night frowning is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of anger or disapproval. The phrase "kill the wanton sun" is also significant, as it suggests that his lover's world has become dark and lifeless since he left.

In the fifth and sixth lines, Shakespeare continues to use imagery to describe the effect of his absence on his lover's surroundings. He says that "Even as the days grow longer by delay, / So doth my absence lengthen life and hope." The image of the days growing longer by delay suggests a sense of frustration and impatience, while the phrase "lengthen life and hope" suggests that his lover's life has become stagnant and hopeless since he left.

In the seventh and eighth lines, Shakespeare uses a metaphor to describe the effect of his absence on his lover's heart. He says that "For, just as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, / So do our minutes hasten to their end." The metaphor of waves making towards the shore suggests a sense of inevitability and finality, while the phrase "our minutes hasten to their end" suggests that time is running out for his lover to be reunited with him.

In the final six lines of the sonnet, Shakespeare uses a series of metaphors to describe his own feelings about his absence. He says that "Each changing place with that which goes before, / In sequent toil all forwards do contend." The image of changing places suggests a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction, while the phrase "sequent toil all forwards do contend" suggests that he is constantly striving to move forward, but is unable to do so without his lover.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines, Shakespeare uses a metaphor to describe his own heart. He says that "Nativity, once in the main of light, / Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd." The metaphor of nativity crawling to maturity suggests a sense of slow and painful growth, while the phrase "wherewith being crown'd" suggests that he is waiting for his lover to return so that he can finally feel complete.

In the final two lines of the sonnet, Shakespeare concludes with a powerful metaphor. He says that "Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight, / And Time that gave doth now his gift confound." The metaphor of crooked eclipses fighting against his glory suggests a sense of struggle and opposition, while the phrase "Time that gave doth now his gift confound" suggests that time, which once brought them together, is now working against them.

In conclusion, Sonnet 97 is a masterpiece of Shakespearean poetry, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the depth of emotion felt by the poet. By comparing his absence to the bleakness of winter, Shakespeare emphasizes the harshness of his lover's life without him. Through the use of powerful metaphors, he conveys his own sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction, as well as his longing to be reunited with his lover. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's poetic genius and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in his works.

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