'Sonnet 13: O, that you were your self! But, love, you are' by William Shakespeare
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The Sonnets1609O, that you were your self! But, love, you are
No longer yours than you yourself here live.
Against this coming end you should prepare,
And your sweet semblance to some other give.
So should that beauty which you hold in lease
Find no determination; then you were
Yourself again after yourself's decease,
When your sweet issue your sweet form should bear.
Who lets so fair a house fall to decay,
Which husbandry in honour might uphold
Against the stormy gusts of winter's day
And barren rage of death's eternal cold?O, none but unthrifts! Dear my love, you know,You had a father; let your son say so.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 13: O, that you were your self! But, love, you are written
William Shakespeare's Sonnet 13 is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love in its purest form. The sonnet is addressed to an unnamed lover, whom the speaker wishes would return to his true self. The poem is a reflection on love and the power it holds over us, as well as the importance of being true to oneself.
Summary
The sonnet begins with the speaker lamenting the fact that his lover is not true to himself. He wishes that his lover would show his true self to the world, rather than hiding behind a false facade. The speaker then goes on to describe the various ways in which his lover is not true to himself, including his lack of honesty and his tendency to wear a mask.
The speaker then turns his attention to love itself, describing it as a force that can change a person's nature. He acknowledges that love has the power to make us better people, but also warns that it can be dangerous if we lose sight of ourselves in the process.
The poem ends with the speaker pleading with his lover to return to his true self, and to resist the temptation to be someone he is not.
Literary Analysis
Shakespeare's Sonnet 13 is a masterful blend of imagery, metaphor, and language that work together to create a powerful commentary on love and identity. The poem is structured in three quatrains and a final couplet, and follows the traditional rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which the speaker uses imagery to convey his message. He compares his lover to a book that is written, suggesting that he is not true to himself and is instead playing a role that has been assigned to him. This metaphor is extended throughout the poem, with the speaker describing his lover's mask as a cover that hides his true self.
The use of metaphor is also evident in the way in which the speaker describes love. He compares it to a fire that can either warm us or burn us, depending on how we handle it. This metaphor is particularly effective in conveying the idea that love is a powerful force that can either be a source of great joy or great pain.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way in which the speaker addresses his lover directly. The use of the second person "you" creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, and helps to convey the speaker's sense of urgency in urging his lover to return to his true self.
Overall, Shakespeare's Sonnet 13 is a powerful commentary on love and identity that uses metaphor, imagery, and language to convey its message. The poem is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet, and continues to be relevant and resonant to this day.
Interpretation
The central theme of Sonnet 13 is the importance of being true to oneself, and the dangers of losing oneself in the pursuit of love. The speaker is clearly concerned that his lover is not being true to himself, and is instead playing a role that has been assigned to him. He urges his lover to be true to himself, and to resist the temptation to be someone he is not.
The metaphor of the book that is written is particularly effective in conveying this message. The speaker suggests that his lover is not writing his own story, but is instead following a script that has been laid out for him. By urging his lover to be more honest and open, the speaker is essentially asking him to take control of his own narrative, and to write his own story.
The use of the metaphor of love as a fire is also significant. The speaker acknowledges that love has the power to change us, but warns that it can also be dangerous if we lose sight of ourselves in the process. This metaphor reinforces the idea that being true to oneself is of utmost importance, and that it is only by staying true to ourselves that we can avoid being burned by the flames of love.
The plea at the end of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker begs his lover to return to his true self, and to resist the temptation to be someone he is not. This plea is a reflection of the speaker's deep concern for his lover, and his desire to see him happy and fulfilled.
Overall, Sonnet 13 is a powerful commentary on love and identity that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message is timeless, and serves as a reminder that being true to oneself is of utmost importance, and that it is only by staying true to ourselves that we can truly find happiness and fulfillment in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Oh, how sweet it is to read the works of William Shakespeare! His poetry is timeless, and his sonnets are some of the most beautiful pieces of literature ever written. Sonnet 13, "O, that you were your self! But, love, you are," is no exception. In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the idea of love and how it can change a person.
The first line of the sonnet, "O, that you were your self!" sets the tone for the entire poem. Shakespeare is expressing his desire for his lover to be true to themselves. He wants them to be authentic and not change themselves to please others. This is a sentiment that is still relevant today. In a world where social media and societal pressures can make people feel like they need to be someone else, Shakespeare's words are a reminder to stay true to oneself.
The second line, "But, love, you are," is a stark contrast to the first. Here, Shakespeare acknowledges that his lover has changed because of love. Love has transformed them into someone else. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets. Love is often portrayed as a force that can change people, for better or for worse.
The third line, "No longer yours than you yourself here live," is a warning to his lover. Shakespeare is saying that if they continue to change themselves to please others, they will no longer be true to themselves. They will become someone else entirely. This is a cautionary tale that still holds true today. It's important to remember that we should never change ourselves to please others. We should always stay true to who we are.
The fourth line, "Against this coming end you should prepare," is a call to action. Shakespeare is urging his lover to prepare for the end of their life. This is a reminder that life is short and we should make the most of it. We should live our lives authentically and not waste time trying to be someone else.
The fifth line, "And your sweet semblance to some other give," is a plea to his lover to not give their sweet semblance to someone else. Shakespeare is saying that if they continue to change themselves to please others, they will lose their true self. This is a reminder that we should never give our true selves away to someone else. We should always stay true to who we are.
The sixth line, "So should that beauty which you hold in lease," is a warning that if his lover continues to change themselves, they will lose their beauty. Shakespeare is saying that true beauty comes from within. If we change ourselves to please others, we will lose our true beauty.
The seventh line, "Find no determination; then you were," is a reminder that if we don't stay true to ourselves, we will never find true happiness. We need to be determined to be ourselves and not let others change us. This is a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves.
The eighth line, "Yourself again after yourself's decease," is a reminder that even after we die, we should still be true to ourselves. Our legacy should be one of authenticity and not one of trying to please others. This is a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves, even after we die.
The final two lines, "When your sweet issue your sweet form should bear. Who lets so fair a house fall to decay," are a warning that if we don't stay true to ourselves, our children will suffer. Shakespeare is saying that if we don't stay true to ourselves, our children will inherit a legacy of inauthenticity. This is a reminder that we should always be true to ourselves, not just for ourselves but for our children as well.
In conclusion, Shakespeare's Sonnet 13 is a beautiful reminder to stay true to ourselves. Love can change us, but we should never let it change us to the point where we lose our true selves. We should always be authentic and true to who we are. This sonnet is a timeless reminder that we should never give our true selves away to please others. We should always be true to ourselves, even after we die.
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