'Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still' by William Shakespeare

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The Sonnets1609My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,
While comments of your praise, richly compiled,
Reserve their character with golden quill,
And precious phrase by all the Muses filed.
I think good thoughts, whilst other write good words,
And like unlettered clerk still cry "Amen"
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polished form of well-refinèd pen.
Hearing you praised, I say "'Tis so, 'tis true,"
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.Then others for the breath of words respect,Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still

William Shakespeare is a name that needs no introduction. The Bard of Avon, as he is fondly called, has left a lasting impact on the world of literature with his plays and sonnets. Among his vast collection of sonnets, Sonnet 85 holds a special place.

This sonnet, which begins with the words "My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still," is a reflection on the poet's inability to express his thoughts and feelings as eloquently as he would like. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this sonnet, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

Themes

At its core, Sonnet 85 explores the theme of writer's block, or more specifically, the struggle to find the right words to express oneself. The poet describes his "tongue-tied Muse" who is "held still" in manners. This metaphorical language suggests that the poet's creative inspiration is stifled, and he is unable to express himself in the way he desires.

The sonnet also touches on the theme of the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. The line "When I perhaps compounded am with clay" suggests the poet's awareness of his own mortality and the impermanence of life. This theme is a recurring motif in Shakespeare's works, and it is worth noting how he integrates it into this particular sonnet.

Imagery

Shakespeare's use of imagery in Sonnet 85 is subtle yet effective. The opening line, "My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still," evokes a sense of frustration and helplessness. The imagery of a 'tongue-tied Muse' not only indicates the poet's struggle to express himself but also emphasizes the importance of language in his craft.

The image of a "painted banquet" in the second quatrain is a clever representation of the poet's frustration. A banquet is typically associated with abundance and feasting, but the adjective 'painted' subverts this expectation. The use of this adjective suggests that the banquet is merely superficial, lacking the substance and richness that the poet desires.

The final couplet contains the most striking imagery in the sonnet. The line "And art made tongue-tied by authority" contains a metaphor that is both powerful and poignant. The metaphor of "art made tongue-tied" suggests that creativity is being stifled by external forces, specifically authority. This image is particularly relevant to Shakespeare's time, where the monarchy had strict control over the arts.

Language

Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet 85 is both subtle and intricate. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that gives the poem a musical quality. The use of rhyme, particularly the rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, adds to the musicality of the poem and creates a sense of unity and coherence.

The language used in the sonnet is also notable for its use of figurative language. The extended metaphor of the "tongue-tied Muse" is a powerful representation of the poet's creative block. The use of metaphorical language is also evident in the line "And art made tongue-tied by authority," which is a metaphor for the stifling of creativity by those in power.

Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet 85 is also marked by its use of paradoxical phrases. For example, the line "My Muse from forth this muzzled bear doth fly" contains a paradoxical phrase, where the muse is described as flying from a muzzled bear. This paradoxical language adds a sense of complexity and depth to the sonnet, challenging the reader to think more deeply about its meaning.

Interpretation

Sonnet 85 is a powerful reflection on the struggle to express oneself creatively. The image of a "tongue-tied Muse" evokes a sense of frustration and helplessness, which is further emphasized by the image of a "painted banquet." The final couplet, with its metaphor of "art made tongue-tied by authority," highlights the external forces that can stifle creativity and expression.

At its core, Sonnet 85 is a meditation on the nature of creativity and the importance of language in the creative process. Shakespeare's use of imagery, language, and metaphorical language all contribute to the sonnet's overall impact and meaning, creating a powerful reflection on the human experience.

Conclusion

Sonnet 85 is a masterful work of poetry that explores the struggle to express oneself creatively. Its use of imagery and metaphorical language creates a powerful reflection on the nature of creativity and the importance of language in the creative process. Shakespeare's use of language and paradoxical phrases adds a sense of complexity and depth to the sonnet, challenging the reader to think more deeply about its meaning. In short, Sonnet 85 is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still is a classic piece of poetry written by the legendary William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of the series of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is considered one of his most famous works. In this sonnet, Shakespeare talks about his inability to express his thoughts and feelings through his poetry, and how his muse is holding him back. In this article, we will analyze and explain this sonnet in detail.

The sonnet begins with the line, "My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still." This line sets the tone for the entire sonnet, as it establishes the central theme of the poem. Shakespeare is saying that his muse is holding him back, and he is unable to express himself freely. The word "tongue-tied" means that he is unable to speak or express himself properly, and the word "muse" refers to the inspiration that he draws upon to write his poetry.

The second line of the sonnet reads, "While comments of your praise, richly compiled." Here, Shakespeare is referring to the comments and praise that he has received for his previous works. He is saying that despite the praise that he has received, he is still unable to express himself properly. This line also suggests that Shakespeare is feeling pressure to live up to the expectations of his readers and critics.

The third line of the sonnet reads, "Reserve their character with golden quill." Here, Shakespeare is saying that his previous works have been written with a "golden quill," which is a metaphor for his talent and skill as a writer. He is saying that despite his talent, he is still unable to express himself properly.

The fourth line of the sonnet reads, "And precious phrase by all the Muses filed." Here, Shakespeare is saying that his previous works have been praised by all the muses, which is a reference to the nine Greek goddesses who were believed to inspire artists and writers. He is saying that despite the inspiration that he has received from the muses, he is still unable to express himself properly.

The fifth line of the sonnet reads, "I think good thoughts, whilst other write good words." Here, Shakespeare is saying that he has good thoughts and ideas, but he is unable to express them properly through his poetry. He is saying that other writers are able to express themselves better than he can.

The sixth line of the sonnet reads, "And like unlettered clerk still cry 'Amen'." Here, Shakespeare is saying that he feels like an uneducated clerk who is unable to express himself properly. He is saying that he is like a person who can only say "Amen" in response to the words of others.

The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet read, "To every hymn that able spirit affords, In polished form of well-refined pen." Here, Shakespeare is saying that he is able to appreciate the works of other writers, but he is unable to express himself in the same polished and refined manner. He is saying that he is like a person who can appreciate music but cannot play an instrument.

The ninth line of the sonnet reads, "Hearing you praised, I say 'tis so, 'tis true," Here, Shakespeare is saying that when he hears others praise his muse, he agrees with them. He is saying that he knows that his muse is capable of inspiring great works, but he is unable to express himself properly.

The tenth and eleventh lines of the sonnet read, "And to the most of praise add something more, But that is in my thought, whose love to you." Here, Shakespeare is saying that he wants to add something more to the praise that his muse receives, but he is unable to express himself properly. He is saying that his thoughts are filled with love for his muse, but he is unable to express that love through his poetry.

The final two lines of the sonnet read, "Though heaven knows it is but as a tomb, Which hides your life and shows not half your parts." Here, Shakespeare is saying that his inability to express himself properly is like a tomb that hides the true nature of his muse. He is saying that his muse is capable of inspiring great works, but he is unable to express that inspiration properly.

In conclusion, Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still is a classic piece of poetry written by William Shakespeare. In this sonnet, Shakespeare talks about his inability to express himself properly through his poetry, and how his muse is holding him back. The sonnet is a powerful expression of the struggles that artists and writers face when trying to express themselves. Despite the challenges that he faced, Shakespeare was able to create some of the most beautiful and enduring works of literature in history.

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