'Sonnet 118: Like as to make our appetite more keen' by William Shakespeare
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The Sonnets1609Like as to make our appetite more keen
With eager compounds we our palate urge,
As to prevent our maladies unseen,
We sicken to shun sickness when we purge.
Even so being full of your ne'er-cloying sweetness,
To bitter sauces did I frame my feeding;
And, sick of welfare, found a kind of meetness
To be diseased ere that there was true needing.
Thus policy in love t' anticipate
The ills that were not, grew to faults assured,
And brought to medicine a healthful state
Which, rank of goodness, would by ill be cured.But thence I learn and find the lesson true:Drugs poison him that so fell sick of you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 118: Like as to make our appetite more keen by William Shakespeare
Are you a fan of William Shakespeare's sonnets? If so, you have probably come across the beautiful Sonnet 118, which is filled with intricate and thought-provoking imagery. In this piece of literary criticism, we will delve into the themes and language used by Shakespeare to create this unforgettable work of art.
Overview
Sonnet 118 is part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. The sonnet is written in the traditional Elizabethan sonnet form consisting of 14 lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
Themes
The primary theme of Sonnet 118 is desire and appetite. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of appetite to describe the speaker's craving for something that is not necessarily physical but rather a desire that is mental or emotional. The speaker compares this desire to a hunger that is only satisfied by the person they long for.
The sonnet also touches on the theme of time and how it affects the speaker's desire. The speaker acknowledges that time can either diminish or intensify their hunger for the person they desire. They argue that time can either quell their appetite or make it stronger, and the intensity of the feeling can only be determined by the passage of time.
Interpretation
The first quatrain of Sonnet 118 sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of food to describe the speaker's desire for their beloved. The speaker compares their desire to the taste of sweet things, saying that their appetite is made more keen by the object of their desire. The word "keen" here refers to the intensity of the feeling, as if the speaker's hunger is sharpened by the thought of the object of their love.
In the second quatrain, the speaker acknowledges that their desire could be affected by time. They suggest that if the object of their desire were to reciprocate their feelings, then time would only serve to enhance their love. The passage of time would make their love stronger, and their appetite for each other would only grow.
However, the speaker also acknowledges that time could have the opposite effect. If the person they love were to reject them, then with time, their appetite for that person would diminish. The speaker compares this decline in appetite to the fading of the sun at the end of the day.
In the third quatrain, the speaker refers to their beloved as "fair" and "lovely," emphasizing their physical beauty. However, the speaker is not merely attracted to their physical appearance but rather to the person as a whole. The speaker's desire is for the mind, heart, and soul of the person they long for. The speaker suggests that their appetite is not simply a physical one but rather a desire to be with the person on all levels.
In the concluding couplet, the speaker argues that their love is not dependent on the person's beauty or youth but rather on the essence of who they are. The speaker suggests that their love is a spiritual connection that transcends physical appearance and time. The final words of the sonnet, "So long lives this, and this gives life to thee," suggest that the speaker's love will live on even after they are gone, and their love will continue to give life to the person they desire.
Language
Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet 118 is both intricate and beautiful. His use of metaphor and imagery creates a rich tapestry of words that paint a vivid picture of the speaker's desire.
The use of the metaphor of appetite throughout the sonnet is particularly effective. The word "appetite" suggests a physical craving, but in this case, it is used to describe a mental or emotional craving. The use of the word "keen" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling and suggests that the speaker's desire is all-encompassing.
Another example of Shakespeare's use of language can be found in the use of the word "fair" to describe the person the speaker desires. The word "fair" has multiple meanings, including beautiful and just. Shakespeare's use of the word suggests that the speaker not only desires the person's physical beauty but also their inner goodness and morality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 118 is a beautifully crafted work of art that explores the themes of desire, time, and the essence of love. Shakespeare's use of language and metaphor creates a rich tapestry of words that vividly describes the speaker's craving for their beloved. The sonnet suggests that the speaker's love is not dependent on physical beauty or youth but rather on the essence of the person. The final words of the sonnet suggest that the speaker's love will live on even after they are gone, and their love will continue to give life to the person they desire.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and read Sonnet 118, and let Shakespeare's words take you on a journey of desire and love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 118 by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that has been studied and analyzed by scholars for centuries. This sonnet, titled "Like as to make our appetite more keen," is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of desire and how it can be intensified through absence.
The sonnet begins with the speaker comparing desire to hunger, stating that just as food tastes better when we are hungry, desire is more intense when it is unfulfilled. The speaker goes on to describe how absence can intensify desire, using the example of a lover who is away. The speaker says that the lover's absence makes their presence even more desirable, and that the longing for their return only serves to increase the intensity of the desire.
The second quatrain of the sonnet explores the idea that desire can be intensified through the imagination. The speaker describes how the mind can create fantasies and images that only serve to increase the intensity of desire. The speaker says that these fantasies are like "shadows" that "do paint the substance soon" – in other words, they create a vivid picture of the desired object in the mind, making it seem even more real and desirable.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a slightly different turn, exploring the idea that desire can be intensified through the act of giving. The speaker describes how giving something to someone can create a desire in them to give something back, thus intensifying the desire between them. The speaker says that this desire is like a "double bond" that connects the giver and receiver, making their connection even stronger.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings all of these ideas together, stating that the intensity of desire is what makes it so valuable. The speaker says that desire is like a "jewel" that is made even more precious by its rarity and intensity. The speaker concludes by saying that the intensity of desire is what makes it worth pursuing, even if it is never fully satisfied.
Overall, Sonnet 118 is a beautiful and complex exploration of the nature of desire. The poem explores how desire can be intensified through absence, imagination, and giving, and how the intensity of desire is what makes it so valuable. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a vivid and powerful picture of the nature of desire that continues to resonate with readers today.
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 118 is its use of metaphor and imagery. The poem is full of vivid and powerful images that help to bring the ideas to life. For example, the comparison of desire to hunger is a powerful and evocative metaphor that immediately captures the reader's attention. Similarly, the idea of desire as a "jewel" is a beautiful and poetic image that helps to convey the value and rarity of intense desire.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its structure. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, with three quatrains and a final couplet. This structure helps to give the poem a sense of order and balance, while also allowing the ideas to build and develop over the course of the poem. The use of iambic pentameter also adds to the poem's sense of rhythm and flow, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
In terms of themes, Sonnet 118 explores a number of ideas related to desire and longing. One of the key themes is the idea that desire can be intensified through absence. The speaker suggests that the longing for something or someone that is not present can actually make that thing or person even more desirable. This idea is explored in the first quatrain of the poem, where the speaker compares desire to hunger and suggests that absence can intensify the appetite for the desired object.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea that desire can be intensified through the imagination. The speaker suggests that the mind can create vivid fantasies and images that only serve to increase the intensity of desire. This idea is explored in the second quatrain of the poem, where the speaker describes how the mind can create "shadows" that make the desired object seem even more real and desirable.
A third theme that is explored in the poem is the idea that desire can be intensified through giving. The speaker suggests that giving something to someone can create a desire in them to give something back, thus intensifying the connection between them. This idea is explored in the third quatrain of the poem, where the speaker describes how giving creates a "double bond" that connects the giver and receiver.
Overall, Sonnet 118 is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that explores the nature of desire and how it can be intensified through absence, imagination, and giving. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a vivid and powerful picture of the nature of desire that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether read for pleasure or studied in depth, this sonnet is a true masterpiece of English literature.
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