'Sonnet 125: Were't aught to me I bore the canopy' by William Shakespeare
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Were't aught to me I bore the canopy,
With my extern the outward honouring,
Or laid great bases for eternity,
Which proves more short than waste or ruining?
Have I not seen dwellers on form and favour
Lose all, and more, by paying too much rent
For compound sweet forgoing simple savour,
Pitiful thrivers in their gazing spent?
No, let me be obsequious in thy heart,
And take thou my oblation, poor but free,
Which is not mixed with seconds, knows no art
But mutual render, only me for thee.
Hence, thou suborned informer, a true soul
When most impeached stands least in thy control.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 125: Were't aught to me I bore the canopy
William Shakespeare, one of the greatest literary geniuses of all time, is known for his masterful plays and sonnets that depict the complexities of human emotions. In Sonnet 125, he portrays the theme of power and status, and how they can be both a blessing and a curse. The poem, with its intricate language and metaphorical imagery, captures the essence of the human condition and the struggle for power and control.
The poem consists of 14 lines and follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form with an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. The first line, "Were't aught to me I bore the canopy," sets the tone for the entire poem. The word "aught" means anything or nothing, and the speaker is questioning the value of power and status. The phrase "bore the canopy" refers to a medieval practice where a person of high rank or status was carried under a canopy during public events. This imagery evokes a sense of grandeur and power, but the speaker is questioning whether it is worth the effort.
The second line, "With my extern the outward honouring," continues this line of thought. The word "extern" means outward or external, and the speaker is questioning the value of external honor. The phrase "outward honouring" refers to the public display of honor and respect that comes with power and status. The speaker is questioning whether this external honor is worth the effort and whether it brings any real value.
In the third line, the speaker contrasts the external honor with the internal struggle. The phrase "less than my heart's contempt" shows that the speaker holds the external honor in low regard. The phrase "my heart's contempt" refers to the speaker's internal struggle with the value of power and status. The speaker is questioning whether the struggle for power is worth the cost to their own soul.
The fourth line, "And prizing thy defected worth at par," continues the theme of the internal struggle. The word "prizing" means placing value on, and the phrase "defected worth" refers to the flaws and imperfections that come with power and status. The speaker is questioning whether the worth of power and status is really worth the cost of their own soul.
The fifth line, "Withersoever I roam, under heaven's eye," introduces a new element to the poem. The phrase "under heaven's eye" suggests that the struggle for power and status is not just a human condition but a universal one. The speaker is questioning whether the struggle for power is worth the cost on a cosmic level.
The sixth line, "Nor mine, nor his, nor mortal's eye," reinforces the idea that power and status are not just a human condition but a universal one. The phrase "nor mortal's eye" suggests that the struggle for power is not just a human condition but a cosmic one. The speaker is questioning whether the struggle for power is worth the cost on a cosmic level.
The seventh line, "But the blunt monster with uncounted heads," introduces a metaphorical image of a "blunt monster" with "uncounted heads." The monster represents the many-headed hydra of power and status. The speaker is questioning whether the monster is worth the effort to slay it.
The eighth line, "The still-discordant wavering multitude," continues the metaphorical image of the monster. The phrase "still-discordant wavering multitude" refers to the many-headed hydra of power and status. The speaker is questioning whether the monster is worth the effort to slay it.
The ninth line, "Can play upon it," introduces another element to the poem. The phrase "can play upon it" suggests that the struggle for power and status is not just a human condition but a game. The speaker is questioning whether the game is worth the cost.
The tenth line, "But what can it when sun hath left his sphere?" introduces a metaphorical image of the sun leaving its sphere. The sun represents the ultimate power and the fact that it can leave its sphere suggests that even the most powerful things are temporary. The speaker is questioning whether the struggle for power is worth the cost in the face of ultimate impermanence.
The eleventh line, "The watery shore to me was ever dear," introduces a new element to the poem. The phrase "watery shore" suggests the sea and the idea of a journey. The speaker is suggesting that their internal journey is more important than the struggle for power.
The twelfth line, "And that is all which it is worth to me," reinforces the idea that the internal journey is more important than the struggle for power. The speaker is suggesting that the struggle for power is not worth the effort.
The thirteenth line, "For what is the sun but a power denied," introduces a metaphorical image of the sun as a denied power. The phrase "denied power" suggests that even the most powerful things are limited in their power. The speaker is questioning the value of power.
The final line, "Then may I not say true that I do feel," concludes the poem. The speaker is suggesting that their internal struggle with the value of power and status is real and that they do not find it worth the effort.
In conclusion, Sonnet 125 is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the human struggle for power and status. The intricate language and metaphorical imagery evoke a sense of grandeur and power, but the speaker ultimately questions the value of power and status. The poem suggests that the internal journey is more important than the struggle for power and that even the most powerful things are temporary and limited. Shakespeare's masterful use of language and imagery makes Sonnet 125 a timeless classic that speaks to the universal human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 125: Were't aught to me I bore the canopy - A Masterpiece by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright and poet of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his timeless works. His sonnets, in particular, are a testament to his genius and have been studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike for centuries. One such sonnet that stands out is Sonnet 125: Were't aught to me I bore the canopy. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this masterpiece and explore its themes, structure, and language.
Structure and Form
Sonnet 125 is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. It follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet, which is a common structure in Shakespearean sonnets.
Themes
The central theme of Sonnet 125 is the idea of power and its transience. The poem begins with the speaker stating that if he were a king, he would not be concerned with the trappings of power, such as the canopy that is carried over his head. He says that these symbols of power are meaningless to him and that he would rather focus on more important things. The speaker then goes on to say that even if he were to possess all the power in the world, it would still be fleeting and temporary. He compares power to a shadow that disappears when the sun goes down, emphasizing its transience.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of self-worth and identity. The speaker asserts that his worth is not defined by his position or power, but by his own sense of self. He says that he would rather be a "servant of Love's fire" than a king, emphasizing the importance of love and passion in his life.
Language and Imagery
Shakespeare's use of language and imagery in Sonnet 125 is masterful and adds depth and meaning to the poem. The use of the word "canopy" in the first line is significant as it symbolizes the trappings of power and authority. The speaker's rejection of the canopy is a rejection of these symbols of power and a statement of his own values.
The metaphor of power as a shadow is also significant as it emphasizes the fleeting nature of power. The shadow disappears when the sun goes down, just as power disappears when one's reign comes to an end. This metaphor is a powerful reminder that power is temporary and that one's worth is not defined by it.
The final couplet of the poem is particularly powerful and emphasizes the speaker's rejection of power and his embrace of love. The use of the word "servant" in the line "Or else of thee, this I prognosticate: / Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date" is significant as it emphasizes the speaker's willingness to serve love and passion rather than power.
Conclusion
Sonnet 125: Were't aught to me I bore the canopy is a masterpiece by William Shakespeare that explores the themes of power, self-worth, and identity. The poem's structure, language, and imagery are masterful and add depth and meaning to the poem. The central message of the poem is a powerful reminder that power is temporary and that one's worth is not defined by it. Instead, the poem emphasizes the importance of love and passion in one's life and the value of being true to oneself. Sonnet 125 is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and resonate with readers today.
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