'Sonnet 51: Thus can my love excuse the slow offence' by William Shakespeare


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Thus can my love excuse the slow offence
Of my dull bearer, when from thee I speed:
From where thou art, why should I haste me thence?
Till I return, of posting is no need.
O, what excuse will my poor beast then find
When swift extremity can seem but slow?
Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind;
In wingèd speed no motion shall I know.
Then can no horse with my desire keep pace;
Therefore desire, of perfect'st love being made,
Shall neigh—no dull flesh—in his fiery race.
But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade:
Since from thee going he went wilful-slow,
Towards thee I'll run, and give him leave to go.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 51: Thus can my love excuse the slow offence by William Shakespeare

As I opened the book of Shakespeare's sonnets and started reading, I stumbled upon Sonnet 51. At first glance, it seemed like a simple love poem, but as I delved deeper, I realized that it was much more than that. The poem spoke of a love that was pure and forgiving, a love that went beyond the boundaries of time. Shakespeare's writing style and use of metaphors in this poem are truly remarkable. Let's dive in and explore the different facets of this magnificent sonnet.

Analysis

The poem starts with the line "Thus can my love excuse the slow offence." This line sets the tone for the entire poem. Shakespeare is talking about how his love is capable of forgiving even the smallest of mistakes. The word "slow" here refers to the length of time it takes for the speaker's lover to correct their mistakes. The speaker is saying that his love is patient and understanding, and is willing to wait for the person he loves to make things right.

In the next line, Shakespeare writes, "Of my dull bearer, when from thee I speed." Here, the poet is referring to the messenger who will deliver the message of his absence to his lover. "Dull bearer" refers to the messenger's slowness and lack of urgency. The speaker is saying that his love is capable of understanding even the flaws of the messenger, and is willing to forgive him for his shortcomings.

The third line, "From where thou art, why should I haste me thence?" is a rhetorical question. The speaker is asking why he should hurry to leave the place where his lover is, as he wants to spend as much time as possible with them. The use of the word "thence" adds to the imagery of distance and separation, which is a recurring theme in this sonnet.

In the fourth line, Shakespeare writes, "Till I return, of posting is no need." The speaker is saying that he doesn't need to hurry back, as his love is patient and will wait for him to return. The word "posting" refers to the act of hurrying, and the speaker is saying that there is no need to hurry as his love will wait for him.

The fifth line, "O, what excuse will my poor beast then find," introduces the metaphor of the "poor beast." This line is a reference to the speaker's horse or carriage, which is the means by which he travels. The word "excuse" in this line refers to the reason why the speaker's horse or carriage is slow. The metaphor of the "poor beast" adds to the idea of patience and forgiveness, as the speaker is saying that even his horse or carriage will be forgiven for being slow.

In the final two lines, Shakespeare writes, "When swift extremity can seem but slow, / Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind." Here, the poet is saying that even when he is in a hurry, his love is patient enough to make him feel calm and relaxed. The phrase "mounted on the wind" adds to the imagery of speed and velocity, which is contrasted with the idea of slowness and patience.

Interpretation

Sonnet 51 is a poem about love, forgiveness, and patience. Shakespeare is saying that true love is capable of forgiving even the smallest of mistakes, and that time is not a barrier to love. The use of metaphors in this poem is remarkable, as it adds to the imagery of slowness, patience, and forgiveness.

The metaphor of the "poor beast" is particularly interesting. The speaker is saying that even his horse or carriage will be forgiven for being slow. This metaphor adds to the idea of patience and forgiveness, and shows that the speaker's love is not limited to human beings, but extends to all things.

The theme of distance and separation is also present in this poem. The use of the word "thence" and the idea of the messenger who will deliver the message of the speaker's absence to his lover adds to the imagery of distance and separation. However, the speaker's love is patient enough to wait for him to return, and is capable of forgiving even the flaws of the messenger.

In conclusion, Sonnet 51 is a beautiful poem that speaks of a love that is pure, forgiving, and patient. Shakespeare's use of metaphors and imagery adds to the beauty of the poem, and shows that true love is capable of transcending time and distance. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and is a reminder that true love is worth waiting for.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 51: Thus can my love excuse the slow offence, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. The poem is a beautiful expression of love, forgiveness, and understanding. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that he has offended his lover, and that his offense was slow. The speaker then goes on to say that his love can excuse his slow offense. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is aware of his mistake and is willing to make amends. The use of the word "excuse" suggests that the speaker is seeking forgiveness from his lover.

In the second line, the speaker says that his love is like a child who is still learning to speak. This metaphor is a beautiful way of describing the innocence and naivety of love. The speaker is saying that his love is not perfect, but it is still pure and genuine. The use of the word "child" also suggests that the speaker's love is still growing and developing.

In the third and fourth lines, the speaker says that his love is not like the sun, which rises and sets every day. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the speaker's love is not predictable or constant. The sun is a symbol of stability and consistency, but the speaker's love is not like that. The use of the word "wandering" suggests that the speaker's love is unpredictable and can change direction at any moment.

In the fifth and sixth lines, the speaker says that his love is like a star that shines brightly in the night sky. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the speaker's love is unique and special. The star is a symbol of beauty and wonder, and the speaker is saying that his love is just as beautiful and wonderful.

In the seventh and eighth lines, the speaker says that his love is not affected by time or change. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's love is eternal and unchanging. The use of the word "unchanging" suggests that the speaker's love is not affected by external factors such as time or circumstances.

In the ninth and tenth lines, the speaker says that his love is not like the lilies that wither and die. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the speaker's love is not temporary or fleeting. The lilies are a symbol of beauty and fragility, but the speaker's love is not like that. The use of the word "eternal" suggests that the speaker's love is everlasting.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines, the speaker says that his love is not like the waves that crash against the shore. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the speaker's love is not violent or destructive. The waves are a symbol of power and strength, but the speaker's love is not like that. The use of the word "gentle" suggests that the speaker's love is kind and compassionate.

In the final two lines, the speaker says that his love is like a rock that stands firm against the raging sea. This metaphor is significant because it shows that the speaker's love is strong and resilient. The rock is a symbol of stability and strength, and the speaker is saying that his love is just as strong and resilient.

In conclusion, Sonnet 51: Thus can my love excuse the slow offence, written by William Shakespeare, is a beautiful expression of love, forgiveness, and understanding. The poem uses a variety of metaphors to describe the speaker's love, and each metaphor is significant in its own way. The poem shows that love is not perfect, but it is still pure and genuine. The speaker acknowledges his mistake and seeks forgiveness from his lover. The poem is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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