'Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see' by William Shakespeare
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The Sonnets1609When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,
For all the day they view things unrespected;
But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,
And darkly bright, are bright in dark directed.
Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright,
How would thy shadow's form, form happy show
To the clear day with thy much clearer light,
When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so!
How would, I say, mine eyes be blessèd made,
By looking on thee in the living day,
When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade
Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay!All days are nights to see till I see thee,And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Most I Wink, Then Do Mine Eyes Best See: Shakespeare's Sonnet 43
Introduction
William Shakespeare is known for his literary works that continue to impact society many years after they were written. One of his famous works is Sonnet 43, titled 'When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see'. The poem is a sonnet that falls under the category of love and is part of a collection of 154 sonnets. This paper will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of Sonnet 43, examining the themes, figurative language, and structure of the poem.
Themes of the Poem
The poem's central theme is love, particularly the speaker's love for their beloved. The speaker expresses that even when they close their eyes, they see their beloved more clearly, indicating that their love transcends physical sight. The speaker emphasizes this idea by saying that their mind's eye sees their beloved better than their actual eyes. This emphasizes the idea that love is not just a physical attraction but a deep emotional connection.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of timelessness. The speaker uses words such as 'eternal', 'ever', and 'always' to suggest that their love is not bound by time. The speaker's love is not just for the present moment, but it is a love that lasts beyond time. Shakespeare's Sonnet 43 is a testament to the power of love that transcends time.
Figurative Language in the Poem
Shakespeare uses a variety of figurative language techniques in the poem to express the speaker's love and emotions. One of the most prominent techniques used is metaphor. The speaker compares their beloved to a 'day' that brightens and illuminates their life. This metaphor suggests that the speaker's love is essential in their life, just as daytime is necessary for life on earth. Furthermore, the metaphor suggests that the beloved brings light and happiness into the speaker's life.
Shakespeare also uses personification in the poem, particularly when he personifies the speaker's 'mind's eye' and 'heart'. The speaker's mind's eye sees their beloved more clearly than their physical eyes, implying that their love is not just a physical attraction but a deep emotional connection. The personification of the heart in the line 'Nor I, nor nor woman ever loved till now,' emphasizes the idea that the speaker's love is unique and intense, going beyond any love that has ever existed.
Another figurative language technique used in the poem is hyperbole. The speaker exaggerates their love by saying that they love their beloved to the depth and breadth and height that the soul can reach. This hyperbole emphasizes the strength and intensity of the speaker's love, suggesting that the love transcends boundaries.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme of the Poem
The poem is a sonnet, consisting of 14 lines, and is written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABBA, ABBA, CDC, DCD, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The use of the rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality, making it easy to read and pleasing to the ear.
The poem is divided into two quatrains and two tercets. The first quatrain introduces the central idea of the poem, which is the idea that the speaker sees their beloved better when they close their eyes. The second quatrain emphasizes the idea that the speaker's love is not just physical but is rooted in a deep emotional connection. The first tercet emphasizes the idea of timelessness, suggesting that the speaker's love will endure beyond time. The final tercet concludes with the speaker expressing their love for their beloved and the idea that their love is unique and intense.
Critical Interpretation of the Poem
Through Sonnet 43, Shakespeare explores the nature of love and its power to transcend time, space, and even physical sight. The poem portrays love as a mysterious and powerful force that is not bound by the limitations of the physical world. By using metaphors, personification, and hyperbole, Shakespeare expresses the intense and unique nature of the speaker's love for their beloved.
Furthermore, the poem suggests that love is not just a physical attraction but a deep emotional connection that transcends the physical world. The speaker sees their beloved more clearly with their 'mind's eye' than their physical eyes, emphasizing the emotional depth of their love. This idea is further emphasized when the speaker says that their love is not bound by time, suggesting that their love is eternal.
In conclusion, Sonnet 43 is a powerful and emotional portrayal of love that transcends time and space. The poem emphasizes the emotional depth of love and its power to transcend physical sight. The use of figurative language, the structure of the poem, and the themes explored make Sonnet 43 one of Shakespeare's most famous works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is one of the most famous and well-known sonnets in the English language. It is a love poem that expresses the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning and significance of this sonnet.
The sonnet begins with the line, "When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see." This line is a paradox because it seems to contradict itself. Winking is the act of closing one eye, which would suggest that the speaker's eyes are closed. However, the second part of the line suggests that the speaker's eyes are open and that he can see better when he winks. This paradoxical statement is a metaphor for the speaker's love for his beloved. He is saying that he can see his beloved more clearly when he closes his eyes and looks inward.
The second line of the sonnet, "For all the day they view things unrespected," further emphasizes the idea that the speaker's eyes can see his beloved more clearly when they are closed. The speaker is saying that during the day, his eyes see things that are unimportant and insignificant. However, when he closes his eyes, he can focus on his beloved and see her more clearly.
The third line of the sonnet, "But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee," suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he dreams about her. Even when he is asleep, his eyes are focused on her. This line also suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.
The fourth line of the sonnet, "And darkly bright are bright in dark directed," is another paradoxical statement. The speaker is saying that his beloved is both dark and bright at the same time. This line suggests that the speaker sees his beloved in a different light than others do. To him, she is both light and dark, and he loves her for all that she is.
The fifth line of the sonnet, "Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright," is a metaphor for the speaker's beloved. The speaker is saying that his beloved's shadow makes everything around her brighter. This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is a source of light and hope in his life.
The sixth line of the sonnet, "How would thy shadow's form form happy show," is a continuation of the metaphor from the previous line. The speaker is saying that his beloved's shadow makes him happy. This line suggests that the speaker's beloved brings joy and happiness into his life.
The seventh line of the sonnet, "To the clear day with thy much clearer light," is a metaphor for the speaker's beloved's beauty. The speaker is saying that his beloved's beauty is like a clear light that shines brighter than anything else. This line suggests that the speaker's beloved is the most beautiful thing in his life.
The eighth line of the sonnet, "When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so," is a continuation of the metaphor from the previous line. The speaker is saying that even to those who cannot see his beloved's beauty, her shadow shines brightly. This line suggests that the speaker's beloved's beauty is not just physical but also spiritual and emotional.
The ninth line of the sonnet, "How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made," is a statement of the speaker's desire to see his beloved more clearly. The speaker is saying that if he could see his beloved more clearly, his eyes would be blessed. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he wants to see her in the best possible light.
The tenth line of the sonnet, "By looking on thee in the living day," is a statement of the speaker's desire to see his beloved in the daylight. The speaker is saying that he wants to see his beloved in the light of day so that he can see her beauty more clearly. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just a fantasy but also a reality.
The eleventh line of the sonnet, "When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade," is a continuation of the metaphor from the previous line. The speaker is saying that even in the darkness of night, his beloved's shadow is beautiful. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just based on her physical beauty but also on her inner beauty.
The twelfth line of the sonnet, "Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay," is a statement of the speaker's desire to dream about his beloved. The speaker is saying that even when he is asleep, he wants to dream about his beloved. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he wants to be with her even in his dreams.
The thirteenth line of the sonnet, "All days are nights to see till I see thee," is a statement of the speaker's longing to be with his beloved. The speaker is saying that every day feels like a night until he sees his beloved. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he cannot be happy without her.
The fourteenth line of the sonnet, "And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me," is a statement of the speaker's desire to dream about his beloved. The speaker is saying that when he dreams about his beloved, the night becomes as bright as day. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he wants to be with her even in his dreams.
In conclusion, Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic love poem that expresses the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved. The sonnet is full of paradoxical statements and metaphors that emphasize the speaker's desire to see his beloved more clearly. The sonnet suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual. This sonnet is a testament to the power of love and the depth of human emotion.
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