'Sonnet 87: Farewell! Thou art too dear for my possessing' by William Shakespeare
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
The Sonnets1609Farewell! Thou art too dear for my possessing,
And like enough thou know'st thy estimate,
The charter of thy worth gives thee releasing;
My bonds in thee are all determinate.
For how do I hold thee but by thy granting,
And for that riches where is my deserving?
The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting,
And so my patent back again is swerving.
Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing,
Or me, to whom thou gav'st it, else mistaking;
So thy great gift upon misprision growing,
Comes home again, on better judgement making.Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter,In sleep a king, but waking no such matter.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
William Shakespeare, one of the most renowned poets and playwrights in history, is known for his masterful use of the sonnet form. Sonnet 87, "Farewell! Thou art too dear for my possessing," is a prime example of his skill in crafting a complex and emotional work within the confines of a 14-line structure. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of this sonnet, and the ways in which it speaks to the human experience.
The Theme of Jealousy
One of the central themes of Sonnet 87 is jealousy. The speaker of the poem is grappling with the realization that the object of his affection is too valuable and precious for him to keep. He describes the object of his affection as "too dear for my possessing," indicating that he feels he is not worthy of such a treasure. This sense of unworthiness is compounded by the speaker's feelings of envy towards the object's other admirers. He describes them as "princes," who can offer the object of his affection "riches, substance, and increase of wealth."
This theme of jealousy is a common one in Shakespeare's works, particularly in his sonnets. It speaks to the human experience of desiring something that we cannot have, and feeling inferior in the face of others who possess it. In Sonnet 87, Shakespeare captures this feeling with his evocative language and imagery, creating a vivid portrait of the speaker's inner turmoil.
The Language of Love
Another important theme in Sonnet 87 is love. The speaker's feelings for the object of his affection are intense and passionate, expressed through language that is both poetic and emotionally charged. He describes the object as a "jewel hung in ghastly night," and compares the pain of his separation from it to the agony of being "banished from myself."
Shakespeare's use of language in this sonnet is particularly effective in conveying the depth of the speaker's emotions. The use of metaphors and imagery create a sense of heightened intensity, while the repetition of certain phrases, such as "too dear for my possessing," emphasizes the speaker's sense of loss and longing. This language of love speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and intimacy, and the pain that can come with its absence.
The Structure of the Sonnet
One of the defining features of Sonnet 87 is its structure. Like all of Shakespeare's sonnets, it is composed of 14 lines, with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter. This structure gives the sonnet a sense of order and symmetry, while also allowing Shakespeare to pack a great deal of meaning into a relatively small space.
The structure of the sonnet also serves to reinforce its themes. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "too dear for my possessing," creates a sense of circularity that echoes the speaker's feelings of being trapped in his emotions. The rhyme scheme, with its alternating rhymes, creates a sense of balance and tension that reflects the speaker's conflicting emotions of love and jealousy.
Conclusion
Sonnet 87, "Farewell! Thou art too dear for my possessing," is a masterful example of Shakespeare's skill with the sonnet form. Through its themes of jealousy and love, its evocative language, and its carefully crafted structure, the sonnet speaks to the universal human experience of longing and loss. It is a testament to Shakespeare's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets in the English language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Farewell! Thou art too dear for my possessing: And like enough thou know'st thy estimate, The charter of thy worth gives thee releasing; My bonds in thee are all determinate.
These opening lines of Sonnet 87 by William Shakespeare are a poignant farewell to a loved one. The speaker acknowledges that the person they are addressing is too valuable to be possessed, and that they are aware of their own worth. The speaker is releasing the person from any bonds they may have had, acknowledging that their worth is too great to be held back.
The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg. This form allows Shakespeare to explore the theme of love and loss in a structured and controlled way, while still allowing for emotional depth and complexity.
The second line of the sonnet, "And like enough thou know'st thy estimate," suggests that the person being addressed is aware of their own worth. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is not the only one who values the person they are saying goodbye to. The person being addressed is also aware of their own value and worth, which makes the speaker's farewell all the more poignant.
The third line, "The charter of thy worth gives thee releasing," suggests that the person being addressed is free to go and pursue their own path. The word "charter" implies that the person has a right to their own worth and value, and that they are free to use it as they see fit. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is not trying to hold the person back, but is instead acknowledging their right to be free.
The fourth line, "My bonds in thee are all determinate," suggests that the speaker's ties to the person being addressed are coming to an end. The word "determinate" implies that the speaker's ties to the person are fixed and unchangeable, and that they are coming to an end. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is accepting the end of their relationship with the person being addressed.
The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet, "For how do I hold thee but by thy granting? / And for that riches where is my deserving?" suggest that the speaker is aware that they do not deserve the person they are saying goodbye to. The word "granting" implies that the person being addressed has allowed the speaker to hold them, and that they are not obligated to do so. The word "riches" implies that the person being addressed is valuable and precious, and that the speaker does not deserve them.
The seventh and eighth lines, "The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting, / And so my patent back again is swerving," suggest that the speaker is aware that they do not have the qualities or attributes that would make them deserving of the person being addressed. The word "patent" implies that the speaker has been granted the right to hold the person, but that this right is now being revoked. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is aware of their own shortcomings, and is willing to let go of the person being addressed.
The ninth and tenth lines, "Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing, / Or me, to whom thou gav'st it, else mistaking," suggest that the person being addressed may have given themselves to the speaker without fully understanding their own worth. The word "mistaking" implies that the person being addressed may have given themselves to the wrong person, or that they may have misunderstood their own worth. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is aware that the person being addressed may have made a mistake in giving themselves to the speaker.
The eleventh and twelfth lines, "So thy great gift, upon misprision growing, / Comes home again, on better judgement making," suggest that the person being addressed is now realizing their own worth and value, and is taking back their gift. The word "misprision" implies that the person being addressed may have misunderstood their own worth, but is now realizing their true value. This line is significant because it shows that the person being addressed is growing and changing, and is no longer willing to be held back by the speaker.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter, / In sleep a king, but waking no such matter," suggest that the speaker's relationship with the person being addressed was like a dream that has now come to an end. The word "flatter" implies that the speaker's relationship with the person was not based on reality, but on a false sense of worth and value. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is acknowledging that their relationship with the person being addressed was not based on reality, but on a false sense of worth and value.
In conclusion, Sonnet 87 by William Shakespeare is a poignant farewell to a loved one. The sonnet explores the theme of love and loss in a structured and controlled way, while still allowing for emotional depth and complexity. The sonnet is significant because it shows that the speaker is aware of their own shortcomings, and is willing to let go of the person being addressed. The sonnet also shows that the person being addressed is growing and changing, and is no longer willing to be held back by the speaker. Overall, Sonnet 87 is a powerful and moving exploration of the complexities of love and loss.
Editor Recommended Sites
Flutter Book: Learn flutter from the best learn flutter dev bookExplainable AI: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
Rules Engines: Business rules engines best practice. Discussions on clips, drools, rete algorith, datalog incremental processing
Cloud Taxonomy: Graph database taxonomies and ontologies on the cloud. Cloud reasoning knowledge graphs
Crypto Tax - Tax management for Crypto Coinbase / Binance / Kraken: Learn to pay your crypto tax and tax best practice round cryptocurrency gains
Recommended Similar Analysis
Try To Praise The Mutilated World by Adam Zagajewski analysisIn The Desert by Stephen Crane analysis
Sonnet I by William Shakespeare analysis
At Night by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Paradise Lost: Book 10 by John Milton analysis
I Am The People, The Mob by Carl Sandburg analysis
John Anderson, My Jo by Robert Burns analysis
Death is the supple Suitor by Emily Dickinson analysis
Skyscraper by Carl Sandburg analysis
I asked no other thing by Emily Dickinson analysis