'Sonnet 124: If my dear love were but the child of state' by William Shakespeare


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If my dear love were but the child of state,
It might for Fortune's bastard be unfathered,
As subject to Time's love or to Time's hate,
Weeds among weeds, or flowers with flowers gathered.
No, it was builded far from accident;
It suffers not in smiling pomp, nor falls
Under the blow of thralled discontent,
Whereto th' inviting time our fashion calls.
It fears not policy, that heretic,
Which works on leases of short-numbered hours,
But all alone stands hugely politic,
That it nor grows with heat, nor drowns with showers.
To this I witness call the fools of Time,
Which die for goodness, who have lived for crime.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 124: If my dear love were but the child of state by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is a genius. He is one of the greatest writers of all time. His works are still relevant today, four centuries after his death. One of his most beloved works is his collection of sonnets. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will be focusing on Sonnet 124: If my dear love were but the child of state.

The Sonnet's Structure and Rhyme Scheme

Sonnet 124 is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of 14 lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This strict adherence to form and structure is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet.

The Theme of Ambition

The theme of Sonnet 124 is ambition. Shakespeare reflects on how he would feel if his love was merely a product of ambition and not genuine emotion. He writes:

"If my dear love were but the child of state, It might for Fortune's bastard be unfather'd, As subject to Time's love or to Time's hate, Weeds among weeds or flowers with flowers gather'd."

Shakespeare is saying that if his love was merely the result of ambition, it would be subject to the whims of fortune, like an illegitimate child. It would be seen as nothing more than a weed among weeds, or a flower among flowers.

The Use of Metaphors

Shakespeare uses metaphors throughout the sonnet to express his thoughts and feelings. He compares his love to a "child of state" and "Fortune's bastard." These metaphors convey the idea that his love is at the mercy of external forces, rather than being a product of genuine emotion.

The Importance of Authenticity in Love

The overarching message of Sonnet 124 is the importance of authenticity in love. Shakespeare writes:

"But if that flower with base infection meet, The basest weed outbraves his dignity: For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds."

Shakespeare is saying that if his love was not genuine, it would be worse than a weed. It would be a "base infection" that would corrupt everything it touched. In contrast, even the lowliest weed would outshine it in terms of dignity.

The Emotional Impact of Sonnet 124

Sonnet 124 is a powerful piece of poetry. Shakespeare's use of language and metaphor is masterful, and the theme of authenticity in love is one that resonates with readers even today. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.

In conclusion, Sonnet 124: If my dear love were but the child of state is a masterpiece of poetry. Shakespeare's use of metaphor and structure is impeccable, and his message about the importance of authenticity in love is a timeless one. It is no wonder that Shakespeare's works continue to be celebrated and studied to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 124: If my dear love were but the child of state is a classic poem written by William Shakespeare. This sonnet is one of the most popular and well-known sonnets of Shakespeare's collection. It is a beautiful and romantic poem that explores the idea of love and power. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning and significance of this sonnet.

The poem begins with the line "If my dear love were but the child of state." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not just an ordinary love but a love that is connected to power and politics. The word "state" refers to the government or the ruling class. The speaker is saying that if his love was born into a powerful family or was connected to the government, then his love would be more valuable and respected.

The second line of the poem reads, "It might for fortune's bastard be unfathered." This line suggests that if the speaker's love was not connected to power or politics, then it would be considered illegitimate or unwanted. The word "fortune" refers to luck or chance. The speaker is saying that if his love was not born into a powerful family, then it would be considered unlucky or unwanted.

The third line of the poem reads, "As subject to time's love or to time's hate." This line suggests that if the speaker's love was not connected to power or politics, then it would be subject to the whims of time. The word "time" refers to the passage of time and the changes that come with it. The speaker is saying that if his love was not born into a powerful family, then it would be subject to the changes and fluctuations of time.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Weeds among weeds, or flowers with flowers gathered." This line suggests that if the speaker's love was not connected to power or politics, then it would be grouped with others who are also considered unwanted or unimportant. The word "weeds" refers to unwanted or unimportant plants, while the word "flowers" refers to valuable or important plants. The speaker is saying that if his love was not born into a powerful family, then it would be grouped with other unwanted or unimportant people.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "No, it was builded far from accident." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not accidental or based on luck. The word "builded" refers to something that is intentionally created or constructed. The speaker is saying that his love was not created by chance or luck but was intentionally created.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "It suffers not in smiling pomp, nor falls." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not affected by the superficial and temporary things that come with power and politics. The word "pomp" refers to the superficial and temporary things that come with power and politics, such as wealth and status. The speaker is saying that his love is not affected by these things and will not fall because of them.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "Under the blow of thralled discontent." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not affected by the discontent and unhappiness that comes with being a subject or a slave. The word "thralled" refers to being a subject or a slave. The speaker is saying that his love is not affected by the unhappiness and discontent that comes with being a subject or a slave.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "It fears not policy, that heretic." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not afraid of the manipulations and schemes that come with politics. The word "policy" refers to the manipulations and schemes that come with politics. The speaker is saying that his love is not afraid of these things and will not be manipulated or controlled by them.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Which works on leases of short-numbered hours." This line suggests that the manipulations and schemes of politics are temporary and short-lived. The word "leases" refers to temporary agreements or contracts. The speaker is saying that the manipulations and schemes of politics are temporary and short-lived and will not affect his love.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "But all alone stands hugely politic." This line suggests that the speaker's love is strong and independent and is not affected by the manipulations and schemes of politics. The word "politic" refers to being shrewd and cunning in politics. The speaker is saying that his love is strong and independent and is not affected by the manipulations and schemes of politics.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "It nor my own fears nor the prophetic soul." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not affected by his own fears or the predictions of others. The word "prophetic" refers to the predictions of others. The speaker is saying that his love is not affected by his own fears or the predictions of others.

The twelfth line of the poem reads, "Mine own imagination, nor the state." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not affected by his own imagination or the power of the state. The speaker is saying that his love is not affected by his own imagination or the power of the state.

The thirteenth line of the poem reads, "Nor chaos, born of the sea's womb, divine." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not affected by chaos or disorder. The word "chaos" refers to disorder or confusion. The speaker is saying that his love is not affected by chaos or disorder.

The fourteenth line of the poem reads, "But higher far, upon a happy throne." This line suggests that the speaker's love is elevated and above all of these things. The word "throne" refers to a position of power and authority. The speaker is saying that his love is elevated and above all of these things.

The final line of the poem reads, "And rightly, too, to be great is not to stir without great argument." This line suggests that the speaker's love is great because it is not affected by the superficial and temporary things that come with power and politics. The word "argument" refers to a reason or justification. The speaker is saying that his love is great because it is not affected by the superficial and temporary things that come with power and politics.

In conclusion, Sonnet 124: If my dear love were but the child of state is a beautiful and romantic poem that explores the idea of love and power. The poem suggests that true love is not affected by power or politics and is elevated above all of these things. The speaker's love is strong and independent and is not affected by the manipulations and schemes of politics. This sonnet is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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