'Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see' by William Shakespeare
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When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,
For all the day they view things unrespected;
But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,
And darkly bright, are bright in dark directed.
Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright,
How would thy shadow's form, form happy show
To the clear day with thy much clearer light,
When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so!
How would, I say, mine eyes be blessèd made,
By looking on thee in the living day,
When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade
Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay!
All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see by William Shakespeare
When it comes to Shakespeare, one cannot help but feel a sense of admiration for his works. His sonnets, in particular, are some of the most beautiful and timeless pieces of poetry ever written. Sonnet 43 is one such gem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into the themes, language and structure of the poem to unpack its true meaning.
Theme
At first glance, Sonnet 43 seems to be a love poem expressing the depth of the speaker's affection for his beloved. However, on closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be more than just a simple love poem. It is a meditation on the nature of love and the power of memory.
Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the ways in which his love for his beloved transcends the physical realm. He acknowledges that his eyes may grow weak with age and that his physical body may decay, but his love for his beloved will remain strong because it is rooted in memory. The speaker suggests that true love is not simply a physical attraction, but rather a deep and meaningful connection that transcends time and space.
Language
Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet 43 is particularly noteworthy. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a poetic form that consists of ten syllables per line. This creates a rhythmic flow that is pleasing to the ear and helps to convey the depth of emotion present in the poem.
The use of metaphor and imagery is also prevalent in the poem. The speaker compares his love for his beloved to the light of day and the darkness of night, suggesting that his love is a constant presence in his life. He also references the divine, stating that his love is as pure and holy as the angels in heaven.
Structure
Sonnet 43 is a sonnet, a poetic form that consists of fourteen lines. The poem is divided into four quatrains and a final couplet. Each quatrain presents a different aspect of the speaker's love for his beloved, while the couplet serves as a conclusion to the poem.
The first quatrain establishes the theme of the poem, with the speaker acknowledging that his eyes may grow weak with age but his love for his beloved will remain strong. The second quatrain expands on this idea, with the speaker comparing his love to the light of day.
In the third quatrain, the speaker references the divine, suggesting that his love is as pure and holy as the angels in heaven. The final quatrain brings the poem full circle, with the speaker once again acknowledging that his love for his beloved transcends the physical realm.
The final couplet serves as a conclusion to the poem, with the speaker stating that as long as he can remember his beloved, his love will continue to grow stronger. This serves as a powerful statement on the nature of love and the power of memory.
Interpretation
Sonnet 43 is a deeply personal and emotional poem that speaks to the power of love and memory. The speaker's love for his beloved is not simply a physical attraction, but a deep and meaningful connection that transcends time and space. The poem suggests that true love is rooted in memory, and as long as one can remember their beloved, their love will continue to grow stronger.
The use of metaphor and imagery throughout the poem helps to convey the depth of emotion present in the speaker's words. The comparison of love to the light of day and the darkness of night suggests that love is a constant presence in one's life, while the reference to the divine suggests that true love is pure and holy.
The poem is also a meditation on the nature of time and mortality. The acknowledgement that the speaker's physical body may decay serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of cherishing the memories that we create with those we love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 43 is a beautiful and timeless poem that speaks to the power of love and memory. Shakespeare's use of language and poetic form helps to convey the depth of emotion present in the poem, while the themes of love, memory and mortality serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing the moments that we share with those we hold dear.
As a reader, one cannot help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the beauty and power of Shakespeare's words. Sonnet 43 is a true masterpiece that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see is one of the most famous sonnets written by William Shakespeare. It is a beautiful and romantic poem that explores the depth of love and the power of imagination. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning of this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see." This line is a paradox, as it suggests that the speaker sees best when he is not looking. The word "wink" implies closing one's eyes, but the speaker claims that it is when he closes his eyes that he sees the most. This paradoxical statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of contradictions and paradoxes.
The second line of the poem reads, "For all the day they view things unrespected." Here, the speaker is saying that during the day, his eyes see things that are not important or valuable. The word "unrespected" implies that these things are not given the attention they deserve. The speaker is suggesting that during the day, his eyes are distracted by the mundane and the trivial, and he cannot see the beauty and the wonder of the world.
The third line of the poem reads, "But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee." Here, the speaker is saying that when he sleeps, his eyes see the person he loves. The word "thee" refers to the person the speaker is addressing, who is likely a lover or a beloved. The speaker is suggesting that when he sleeps, his eyes are not distracted by the world around him, but instead, they focus on the person he loves.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "And, darkly bright, are bright in dark directed." Here, the speaker is saying that his eyes are "darkly bright" when he dreams of his beloved. This phrase is another paradox, as it suggests that his eyes are both dark and bright at the same time. The word "directed" implies that his eyes are focused on his beloved, even in the darkness of his dreams.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright." Here, the speaker is addressing his beloved, saying that their presence makes everything brighter, even their own shadow. The word "shadow" implies that the speaker's beloved is not physically present, but their presence is felt nonetheless. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved's presence is so powerful that it brightens everything around them, even in their absence.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "How would thy shadow's form form happy show." Here, the speaker is saying that his beloved's shadow would make him happy, even if they were not physically present. The word "form" implies that the speaker is imagining his beloved's shape or silhouette. The speaker is suggesting that even the mere thought of his beloved's shadow would bring him joy.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "To the clear day with thy much clearer light." Here, the speaker is saying that his beloved's presence is brighter than the light of day. The word "clear" implies that the speaker's beloved is pure and radiant. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved's presence is so powerful that it outshines the sun.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so." Here, the speaker is saying that even to those who cannot see his beloved, their presence is felt. The word "unseeing" implies that there are people who cannot see the speaker's beloved, but their presence is still felt. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved's presence is so powerful that it can be felt by everyone, even those who cannot see them.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made." Here, the speaker is saying that his eyes would be blessed if they could see his beloved. The word "blessed" implies that the speaker's life would be enriched if he could see his beloved. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved's presence is so powerful that it would bring him great joy and happiness.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "By looking on thee in the living day." Here, the speaker is saying that he wants to see his beloved in the light of day, not just in his dreams. The phrase "living day" implies that the speaker wants to see his beloved in the real world, not just in his imagination. The speaker is suggesting that his love for his beloved is so strong that he wants to see them in every moment of his life.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade." Here, the speaker is saying that even in the darkness of night, his beloved's presence is felt. The word "dead" implies that the night is lifeless, but the speaker's beloved brings life to it. The phrase "fair imperfect shade" implies that the speaker's beloved is not physically present, but their presence is still felt. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved's presence is so powerful that it can bring life to even the darkest moments.
The twelfth line of the poem reads, "Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay." Here, the speaker is saying that even when he is asleep and cannot see, his beloved's presence is felt. The phrase "sightless eyes" implies that the speaker is not physically seeing his beloved, but their presence is still felt. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved's presence is so powerful that it can be felt even in the deepest sleep.
The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "All days are nights to see till I see thee." Here, the speaker is saying that every day feels like a night until he sees his beloved. The phrase "all days are nights" implies that the speaker's life is dark and empty without his beloved. The speaker is suggesting that his love for his beloved is so strong that it fills every moment of his life.
The fourteenth and final line of the poem reads, "And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me." Here, the speaker is saying that even in his dreams, his beloved's presence is felt. The phrase "nights bright days" implies that the speaker's dreams are filled with light and joy because of his beloved. The speaker is suggesting that his love for his beloved is so strong that it transcends reality and fills his dreams with happiness.
In conclusion, Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see is a beautiful and romantic poem that explores the depth of love and the power of imagination. The poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions, which add to its beauty and complexity. The speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that it fills every moment of his life, even in his dreams. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the human imagination, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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