'Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now' by William Shakespeare
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The Sonnets1609That you were once unkind befriends me now,
And for that sorrow, which I then did feel,
Needs must I under my transgression bow,
Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel.
For if you were by my unkindness shaken
As I by yours, y'have passed a hell of time,
And I, a tyrant, have no leisure taken
To weigh how once I suffered in your crime.
O, that our night of woe might have remembered
My deepest sense how hard true sorrow hits,
And soon to you, as you to me then, tendered
The humble salve which wounded bosoms fits!But that your trespass now becomes a fee;Mine ransoms yours, and yours must ransom me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is a name that reverberates through literature and poetry. He is one of the most celebrated writers in the English language who has written beautiful sonnets that have captured the hearts of millions. One such sonnet is Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now. This sonnet is both beautiful and enigmatic, and it has been a subject of literary criticism for centuries.
In this essay, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of Sonnet 120, and we will analyze its meaning and significance. We will also discuss its historical context and its relevance to contemporary readers.
Themes
The central theme of Sonnet 120 is the power of memory and its ability to transform past experiences. Shakespeare addresses the persona of the poem, who is reflecting on a past relationship. The persona is not identified in the poem, which allows for a broad range of interpretation. The persona might be a lover, a friend, or even a political ally.
Shakespeare starts the sonnet with the paradoxical statement, "That you were once unkind befriends me now." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the idea that past unkindness can be a source of comfort in the present. The persona's memory of the past has transformed the pain of rejection into a source of solace.
The second theme of the poem is the transience of human relationships. Shakespeare writes, "And for that sorrow which I then did feel / Needs must I under my transgression bow." The persona acknowledges that he was at fault in the past relationship and that his own actions contributed to its end. The persona's acceptance of his past mistakes is a sign of maturity and growth. The persona has come to terms with the fact that relationships are not permanent, and that people change over time.
Language
Shakespeare's language in Sonnet 120 is both poetic and philosophical. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which is the most common meter in English poetry. The rhyme scheme is ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG, which is the standard for English sonnets.
The use of paradox and oxymoron is a notable feature of the language in Sonnet 120. Shakespeare writes, "That you were once unkind befriends me now." This statement is paradoxical because it suggests that past unkindness can lead to present friendship. Shakespeare also writes, "For that which longer nurseth the disease, / Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill." This line is oxymoronic because it suggests that the cure for a disease can also be the cause of its continuation.
Shakespeare's use of imagery is also noteworthy. He writes, "And yet methinks I have astronomy, / But not to tell of good or evil luck, / Of plagues, of dearths, or seasons' quality." The persona compares his memory to astronomy, suggesting that memory allows us to see distant objects, but not to predict the future.
Structure
The structure of Sonnet 120 is typical of English sonnets. It has 14 lines, and it follows the ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG rhyme scheme. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
The first quatrain introduces the paradoxical statement that past unkindness can lead to present friendship. The second quatrain acknowledges the persona's past mistakes and his acceptance of the transience of relationships. The third quatrain compares memory to astronomy, suggesting that it allows us to see distant objects, but not to predict the future. The concluding couplet wraps up the poem by suggesting that the persona's acceptance of his past mistakes has made him a better person.
Analysis
Sonnet 120 is a poem about transformation and growth. The persona reflects on a past relationship that ended badly, but he has come to terms with his own mistakes and has found solace in memory. The poem suggests that memory has the power to transform past experiences and that acceptance of past mistakes can lead to personal growth.
The paradoxical statement at the beginning of the poem is a powerful one. It suggests that past unkindness can lead to present friendship. This statement is paradoxical because it goes against our intuition. We usually expect that unkindness will lead to animosity and that kindness will lead to friendship. However, Shakespeare suggests that memory has the power to transform past experiences in unexpected ways.
The persona's acceptance of his past mistakes is a sign of maturity and growth. He acknowledges that he was at fault in the past relationship and that his own actions contributed to its end. The persona's self-awareness is a sign of growth because it suggests that he has learned from his mistakes and is willing to take responsibility for them.
The comparison of memory to astronomy is an interesting one. The persona suggests that memory allows us to see distant objects, but not to predict the future. This comparison is apt because memory allows us to see events from the past that are far away in time. However, memory cannot predict the future, just as astronomy cannot predict the future of the stars.
The concluding couplet wraps up the poem by suggesting that the persona's acceptance of his past mistakes has made him a better person. He writes, "And all my errors, born of thy return, / And all that lives, to die eternally." This statement suggests that the persona's acceptance of his past mistakes has allowed him to live his life more fully and to appreciate the transience of relationships.
Historical Context
The historical context of Sonnet 120 is not clear. However, it is likely that the sonnet was written in the late 16th or early 17th century, during Shakespeare's lifetime. The sonnet is part of a larger collection of sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, which were published in 1609.
In terms of literary context, Sonnet 120 is part of a larger tradition of English sonnets. The English sonnet is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The sonnet was introduced to England in the 16th century by Sir Thomas Wyatt and was popularized by Shakespeare and other Elizabethan poets.
Relevance to Contemporary Readers
Sonnet 120 is a poem that is relevant to contemporary readers because it speaks to the universality of human experience. The theme of memory and its power to transform past experiences is a theme that is relevant to all people. We all have memories that have the power to comfort us or to haunt us.
The theme of the transience of human relationships is also relevant to contemporary readers. In a world that is constantly changing, relationships are not permanent, and people change over time. The persona's acceptance of the transience of relationships is a sign of maturity and growth that is relevant to contemporary readers.
Conclusion
Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now is a beautiful and enigmatic poem that has captured the hearts of millions. The themes of memory and the transience of human relationships are powerful ones that speak to the universality of human experience. Shakespeare's language and imagery are masterful, and the structure of the sonnet is typical of English sonnets.
The poem suggests that memory has the power to transform past experiences and that acceptance of past mistakes can lead to personal growth. The persona's acceptance of his past mistakes is a sign of maturity and growth, and his comparison of memory to astronomy is an interesting one.
Sonnet 120 is a poem that is relevant to contemporary readers because it speaks to the universality of human experience. The theme of memory and the transience of human relationships are themes that are relevant to all people. Shakespeare's sonnets have endured for centuries, and Sonnet 120 is no exception. It is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of the English language and his ability to capture the human experience in poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now
William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated poets in history, and his sonnets are some of the most famous and beloved works of poetry ever written. Among his many sonnets, Sonnet 120 stands out as a particularly poignant and powerful piece of writing. In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the complex emotions that arise when one's past experiences with a loved one come to shape their present feelings.
The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging that the person they are addressing was once unkind to them. However, rather than dwelling on this past hurt, the speaker instead finds comfort in the fact that they were able to overcome it and move forward. The phrase "befriends me now" suggests that the speaker has come to see their past hurt as a valuable experience that has strengthened their relationship with the person they are addressing.
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues this theme of finding value in past hurt. The speaker notes that the person they are addressing has "changed" since their unkind behavior, and that this change has made their relationship stronger. The phrase "love that well which thou must leave ere long" suggests that the speaker is aware that their time with this person is limited, and that they are determined to make the most of it while they can.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a slightly different turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love itself. The phrase "love is a babe" suggests that love is something that is constantly growing and changing, much like a child. The speaker notes that love can be both "simple" and "complex," and that it is often difficult to understand. However, despite its complexities, the speaker remains committed to their love for the person they are addressing.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a powerful conclusion. The speaker declares that they will continue to love the person they are addressing, even if that love is not reciprocated. The phrase "my love shall in my verse ever live young" suggests that the speaker's love will live on through their poetry, even after they are gone.
Overall, Sonnet 120 is a powerful exploration of the complex emotions that arise when one's past experiences with a loved one come to shape their present feelings. Shakespeare's use of language is masterful, and his ability to convey deep emotions through his poetry is truly remarkable. Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare or simply a lover of great poetry, Sonnet 120 is a must-read.
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