'Sonnet 39: O, how thy worth with manners may I sing' by William Shakespeare

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The Sonnets1609O, how thy worth with manners may I sing,
When thou art all the better part of me?
What can mine own praise to mine own self bring?
And what is't but mine own when I praise thee?
Even for this let us divided live,
And our dear love lose name of single one,
That by this separation I may give
That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone.
O, absence what a torment wouldst thou prove,
Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave
To entertain the time with thoughts of love,
Which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive,And that thou teachest how to make one twainBy praising him here who doth hence remain!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Analysis of Sonnet 39: O, how thy worth with manners may I sing by William Shakespeare

Oh, how thy worth with manners may I sing? This rhetorical question, posed by Shakespeare in the opening line of Sonnet 39, sets the tone for a poem that explores the complex relationship between the speaker and his beloved. In this sonnet, Shakespeare uses vivid imagery, metaphor, and paradox to explore themes of love, desire, and identity.

Overview of Sonnet 39

Sonnet 39 is one of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets, a series of poems that were first published in 1609. The sonnets are written in iambic pentameter and follow a strict rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Sonnet 39 is part of the Fair Youth sequence, a group of sonnets that are addressed to an unnamed young man. In this sonnet, the speaker is reflecting on his feelings for the young man and the difficulty he faces in expressing them.

Analysis of Sonnet 39

The poem begins with the speaker asking a rhetorical question about the worth of his beloved: "Oh, how thy worth with manners may I sing?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker struggles to express his feelings for the young man. The use of the word "manners" suggests that the speaker is aware of the social conventions that govern relationships between men, and is therefore hesitant to express his love too openly.

In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to explore the tension between his desire for the young man and the constraints of society: "To tell the story of thy days of thee, / What needst thou wound with cunning when thy might / Is more than my o'erpressed defense can bide?" Here, the speaker is suggesting that he could tell the young man's story without resorting to deceit or flattery, but that this would require him to openly express his feelings for the young man. The phrase "thy might / Is more than my o'erpressed defense can bide" suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by his feelings for the young man, and feels powerless to resist them.

The third quatrain introduces a paradox: "Let me excuse thee: ah! my love well knows / Her pretty looks have been mine enemies; / And therefore from my face she turns my foes." Here, the speaker is suggesting that his love for the young man is so strong that it has turned his own face into his enemy. The use of the phrase "my love well knows" suggests that the speaker is aware of the paradox, but is still struggling to reconcile his desire for the young man with the conventions of society.

The final couplet of the sonnet provides a resolution to the speaker's dilemma: "No love toward others in that bosom sits / That on himself such murd'rous shame commits." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the young man is so pure and virtuous that he could never love anyone else, and that therefore any shame associated with loving him is unjustified. The use of the phrase "murd'rous shame" suggests that the speaker sees his own desires as a form of violence against himself, but that he is willing to endure this shame in order to love the young man.

Interpretation of Sonnet 39

Sonnet 39 is a complex poem that explores themes of love, desire, and identity. At its heart, the poem is about the tension between the speaker's love for the young man and the conventions of society. The use of the word "manners" in the opening line suggests that the speaker is aware of the social norms that govern relationships between men, and is therefore hesitant to express his love too openly. The tension between the speaker's desire and the conventions of society is further explored in the second quatrain, where the speaker suggests that he could tell the young man's story without resorting to deceit or flattery, but that this would require him to openly express his feelings for the young man.

The use of paradox in the third quatrain is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is struggling to reconcile his desire for the young man with the conventions of society. The phrase "my love well knows" suggests that the speaker is aware of the paradox, but is still struggling to find a resolution to his dilemma. The resolution to the poem comes in the final couplet, where the speaker suggests that the young man is so pure and virtuous that any shame associated with loving him is unjustified.

Overall, Sonnet 39 is a complex and nuanced exploration of the tension between desire and social convention. Shakespeare's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and paradox creates a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Oh, how thy worth with manners may I sing! This is the opening line of one of William Shakespeare's most famous sonnets, Sonnet 39. This sonnet is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the speaker's feelings towards his beloved. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this sonnet, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The sonnet begins with the speaker expressing his admiration for his beloved. He is in awe of her worth and beauty, and he is struggling to find the right words to express his feelings. The use of the word "manners" in the opening line is significant. It suggests that the speaker is aware of the social conventions of his time and is trying to find a way to express his admiration in a way that is appropriate and respectful.

The second line of the sonnet continues the theme of the speaker's struggle to find the right words. He asks, "When thou shalt be disposed to set me light, / And place my merit in the eye of scorn?" Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his beloved may not always feel the same way about him. He is aware that she may one day reject him or see him as unworthy of her love. This line also introduces the theme of the speaker's insecurity and fear of rejection.

The third and fourth lines of the sonnet continue this theme. The speaker asks, "Upon thy side I may not be too bold, / Nor yet too humble, lest my heart, as proud, / Should strike at thy good glory." Here, the speaker is expressing his fear of being too forward or too timid in his approach to his beloved. He is aware that he needs to strike a balance between being confident and respectful. He is also aware that if he comes across as too proud, he may damage his beloved's reputation.

The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet introduce a new theme. The speaker asks, "But since your worth, wide as the ocean is, / The humble as the proudest sail doth bear, / My saucy bark, inferior far to his, / On your broad main doth wilfully appear." Here, the speaker is comparing his own worth to that of his beloved. He acknowledges that she is worth more than he is, but he is still willing to take a chance and express his love for her. The use of the metaphor of the ocean and sailing is significant. It suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as a powerful force, and he is willing to navigate the treacherous waters of love to be with her.

The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet continue this theme. The speaker says, "Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat, / Whilst he upon your soundless deep doth ride." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his beloved's support is essential to him. He is aware that he is not as strong or powerful as she is, but he believes that her love will keep him afloat. The use of the word "soundless" is significant. It suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as a source of stability and calm in a chaotic world.

The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet introduce a new theme. The speaker says, "I love you not less, though less the show appear. / That love is merchandized whose rich esteeming, / The owner's tongue doth publish everywhere." Here, the speaker is expressing his belief that true love is not about grand gestures or public displays of affection. He believes that love should be private and personal, and that it is not something that can be bought or sold. The use of the word "merchandized" is significant. It suggests that the speaker sees love as something that is often commodified and exploited.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet continue this theme. The speaker says, "Our love was new, and then but in the spring, / When I was wont to greet it with my lays." Here, the speaker is reflecting on the early days of his love for his beloved. He remembers how he used to express his love through poetry and song. The use of the word "lays" is significant. It suggests that the speaker sees poetry as a way of expressing his love in a way that is both personal and public.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the sonnet bring the poem to a close. The speaker says, "As Philomel in summer's front doth sing, / And stops her pipe in growth of riper days." Here, the speaker is comparing his love for his beloved to the song of the nightingale. He acknowledges that his love may change and evolve over time, just as the nightingale's song changes as the seasons pass. The use of the word "Philomel" is significant. It suggests that the speaker sees his love as something that is both beautiful and fleeting.

In conclusion, Sonnet 39 is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the themes of love, insecurity, and social conventions. The use of metaphors and imagery is significant, as it allows the speaker to express his feelings in a way that is both personal and universal. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet, and it continues to be admired and studied by readers and scholars alike.

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