'Sonnet 113: Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind' by William Shakespeare

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Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind,
And that which governs me to go about
Doth part his function, and is partly blind,
Seems seeing, but effectually is out;
For it no form delivers to the heart
Of bird, of flower, or shape which it doth latch;
Of his quick objects hath the mind no part,
Nor his own vision holds what it doth catch;
For if it see the rud'st or gentlest sight,
The most sweet-favour or deformed'st creature,
The mountain or the sea, the day or night,
The crow or dove, it shapes them to your feature.
Incapable of more, replete with you,
My most true mind thus maketh mine untrue.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 113: Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind

Oh, William Shakespeare! How can we ever forget the sheer brilliance of his works? The way he weaved words together to craft masterpieces that have stood the test of time is truly remarkable. One of his many gems is the sonnet 113, "Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind." This poem is particularly fascinating because it explores the idea of memory and the power it holds over our perception, experience, and emotions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the sonnet 113, analyzing its themes, structure, language, and literary devices.

Structure and Form of the Sonnet

Before moving on to the analysis of the content, let's take a brief look at the structure and form of the sonnet. Sonnet 113 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. Its rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and it is written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The sonnet's rhythm is smooth and regular, adding to its musical quality.

Analysis of the Content

The opening line of the sonnet sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind." The speaker is reminiscing about a past relationship, and his mind is occupied with the memory of his lover. He is unable to see anything else because his mind is filled with the image of his beloved. The phrase "mine eye is in my mind" is an example of synecdoche, where a part of something is used to represent the whole. Here, the speaker's eye represents his entire being, which is consumed by the memory of his lover.

In the second quatrain, the speaker further elaborates on his situation. He says, "And that which governs me to go about / Doth part his function and is partly blind." The speaker is trying to convey that he is unable to function properly in his daily life because his mind is preoccupied with his lover's memory. The phrase "partly blind" is significant because it suggests that the speaker's perception of reality is distorted due to his fixation on the past. He cannot see things as they are because his mind is clouded by his emotions.

The third quatrain is where the speaker acknowledges the futility of his obsession. He says, "Seems seeing, but effectually is out, / For it no form delivers to the heart / Of bird, of flower, or shape which it doth latch." The speaker is saying that he may be looking at things, but he is not truly seeing them. His mind is unable to appreciate the beauty of the world around him because it is fixated on the memory of his lover. The phrase "no form delivers to the heart" suggests that the speaker's heart is closed off to new experiences and emotions because it is still holding onto the past. The metaphor of a latch is significant because it implies that the speaker's mind has locked onto the memory of his lover, and it cannot be opened easily.

In the final couplet, the speaker acknowledges the power of memory and its hold over him. He says, "But as the riper should by time decease, / His tender heir might bear his memory." The speaker is saying that his obsession with the past will eventually fade away with time, just as a ripe fruit falls off the tree. However, his memory will live on in someone else, perhaps a child who will carry on his legacy. This final couplet is bittersweet because it acknowledges the inevitability of change and the passing of time, but it also suggests that the memory of love can be passed down through generations.

Themes in the Sonnet

The sonnet deals with several themes that are central to Shakespeare's works. The most prominent theme is memory and its power over our perception and experience. The speaker is unable to move on from his past relationship because his mind is consumed by the memory of his lover. He cannot see things as they are because his perception is clouded by his emotions. This theme of memory also ties in with the idea of time and change. The speaker acknowledges that his obsession will eventually fade away with time, but his memory will live on in someone else.

Another theme in the sonnet is the idea of perception and how it can be distorted by our emotions. The speaker cannot see things as they are because his mind is preoccupied with the memory of his lover. His fixation on the past has closed off his heart to new experiences and emotions.

The third theme in the sonnet is the idea of legacy and how our memory can be carried on through generations. The speaker acknowledges that his memory will live on in someone else, perhaps a child who will carry on his legacy. This theme ties in with the idea of time and change and suggests that even though things may change, some things will always remain the same.

Literary Devices in the Sonnet

Shakespeare was a master of literary devices, and sonnet 113 is no exception. The sonnet is filled with metaphors, similes, and other literary devices that add depth and meaning to the poem. Here are a few examples:

• Synecdoche: The phrase "mine eye is in my mind" is an example of synecdoche, where a part of something is used to represent the whole.

• Metaphor: The metaphor of a latch is significant because it implies that the speaker's mind has locked onto the memory of his lover, and it cannot be opened easily.

• Alliteration: The phrase "Seems seeing" is an example of alliteration, where the same sound is repeated at the beginning of words.

• Enjambment: The poem is filled with examples of enjambment, where a line of poetry continues onto the next line without punctuation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sonnet 113, "Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind" is a beautiful and poignant exploration of memory and its power over our perception, experience, and emotions. The sonnet follows Shakespeare's traditional structure and form, with its smooth and regular rhythm adding to its musical quality. The sonnet deals with several themes that are central to Shakespeare's works, including memory, perception, and legacy. The poem is filled with metaphors, similes, and other literary devices that add depth and meaning to the poem. Overall, sonnet 113 is a testament to Shakespeare's incredible talent and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience through his works.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 113: Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and literature enthusiasts for centuries. This sonnet is one of the 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is part of the Fair Youth sequence.

The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's longing for his beloved, who he has left behind. The poem is a reflection of the poet's innermost thoughts and feelings, and it is a testament to the power of love and the human heart.

The poem begins with the line, "Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and it immediately establishes the poet's state of mind. The poet is saying that since he has left his beloved, he cannot stop thinking about her. She is constantly on his mind, and he cannot escape her presence.

The second line of the poem, "And that which governs me to go about," is a reference to the poet's willpower. The poet is saying that his willpower, which normally governs his actions, is now being controlled by his thoughts of his beloved. He cannot focus on anything else, and his thoughts are consumed by her.

The third line of the poem, "Doth part his function and is partly blind," is a reference to the poet's eyesight. The poet is saying that his eyesight is now partially blind because he cannot see anything else but his beloved. He is so consumed by his thoughts of her that he cannot see anything else in the world.

The fourth line of the poem, "Seems seeing, but effectually is out," is a reference to the poet's perception of reality. The poet is saying that he can see things, but he cannot truly perceive them because his thoughts of his beloved are clouding his judgment. He is seeing things, but he is not truly experiencing them.

The fifth line of the poem, "For it no form delivers to the heart," is a reference to the poet's emotions. The poet is saying that he cannot feel anything else but his love for his beloved. His emotions are so consumed by his love for her that he cannot feel anything else.

The sixth line of the poem, "Of bird, of flower, or shape which it doth latch," is a reference to the poet's surroundings. The poet is saying that he cannot appreciate the beauty of the world around him because his thoughts of his beloved are consuming him. He cannot appreciate the beauty of nature or anything else because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The seventh line of the poem, "Of his quick objects hath the mind no part," is a reference to the poet's mind. The poet is saying that his mind cannot focus on anything else but his love for his beloved. His thoughts are consumed by her, and he cannot focus on anything else.

The eighth line of the poem, "Nor his own vision holds what it doth catch," is a reference to the poet's perception of reality. The poet is saying that he cannot truly perceive anything because his thoughts of his beloved are clouding his judgment. He cannot see anything else in the world because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The ninth line of the poem, "For if it see the rud'st or gentlest sight," is a reference to the poet's perception of the world. The poet is saying that he cannot appreciate the beauty of the world around him because his thoughts of his beloved are consuming him. He cannot see anything else in the world because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The tenth line of the poem, "The most sweet favour or deformed'st creature," is a reference to the poet's perception of beauty. The poet is saying that he cannot appreciate the beauty of anything else but his beloved. He cannot see anything else in the world because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The eleventh line of the poem, "The mountain or the sea, the day or night," is a reference to the poet's surroundings. The poet is saying that he cannot appreciate the beauty of the world around him because his thoughts of his beloved are consuming him. He cannot see anything else in the world because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The twelfth line of the poem, "The crow, or dove, it shapes them to his might," is a reference to the poet's perception of reality. The poet is saying that he cannot truly perceive anything because his thoughts of his beloved are clouding his judgment. He cannot see anything else in the world because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "And makes fiction seem truth, truth fiction," is a reference to the poet's perception of reality. The poet is saying that his thoughts of his beloved are so consuming that he cannot distinguish between reality and fiction. He cannot see anything else in the world because his love for his beloved is all-consuming.

The final line of the poem, "Since that my moan produces such effect," is a reference to the poet's emotions. The poet is saying that his love for his beloved is so strong that it is affecting his entire being. He cannot focus on anything else, and his thoughts are consumed by her.

In conclusion, Sonnet 113: Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind, written by William Shakespeare, is a beautiful expression of the power of love and the human heart. The poem is a reflection of the poet's innermost thoughts and feelings, and it is a testament to the power of love to consume a person's entire being. The poem is a classic example of Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to express complex emotions in a simple and beautiful way.

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