'Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still' by William Shakespeare
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My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,
While comments of your praise, richly compiled,
Reserve their character with golden quill,
And precious phrase by all the Muses filed.
I think good thoughts, whilst other write good words,
And like unlettered clerk still cry "Amen"
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polished form of well-refinèd pen.
Hearing you praised, I say "'Tis so, 'tis true,"
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.
Then others for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still - A Critical Analysis
Sonnet 85, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic example of the sonnet form, which was popularized during the Renaissance era. This particular sonnet is part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets, which were first published as a sequence in 1609. Sonnet 85 is a prime example of Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through the use of poetic devices.
Interpretation
The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging his "tongue-tied Muse," suggesting that he is finding it difficult to express his thoughts and feelings. He notes that his Muse is "in manners holds her still," meaning that she is silent and unable to offer any inspiration or guidance. The speaker goes on to describe the many different ways in which he has tried to get his Muse to speak, including offering her gifts and trying to charm her with his words. However, despite his efforts, his Muse remains silent.
The second quatrain of the sonnet offers a possible explanation for the Muse's silence. The speaker suggests that his Muse may be "dumb" because she is afraid of saying the wrong thing or revealing too much. He notes that his Muse may be "mute" because she is afraid of being criticized or rejected. The speaker goes on to describe the many different fears that his Muse may be experiencing, including the fear of being laughed at, the fear of being misunderstood, and the fear of being judged.
The third quatrain of the sonnet offers a solution to the problem of the Muse's silence. The speaker suggests that he will "read deep" into his own heart in order to find the inspiration and guidance that he needs. He notes that he will "plumb the depths" of his own soul in order to find the words and ideas that will allow him to express himself. The speaker acknowledges that this will be a difficult process, but he is willing to do whatever it takes in order to find his voice.
The final couplet of the sonnet offers a promise to the Muse. The speaker promises that he will use his newfound inspiration and guidance to create a work of art that will be worthy of her. He notes that the Muse will be proud of him and will recognize his efforts as a tribute to her.
Literary Criticism
Sonnet 85 is a prime example of Shakespeare's skill as a poet. The sonnet is structured in the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This rhyme scheme is typical of Shakespearean sonnets, and it allows the poet to explore a variety of different themes and ideas within a single poem.
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 85 is the way in which it deals with the theme of artistic inspiration. The speaker's Muse is portrayed as being silent and unresponsive, which is a common experience for many artists. The Muse is often seen as the source of inspiration for the artist, and without her, the artist is unable to create anything of value. Shakespeare's use of the Muse in this sonnet is a reflection of his own experience as a writer, and it is a theme that is common throughout his work.
Another important aspect of Sonnet 85 is the way in which it deals with the theme of fear. The speaker suggests that his Muse may be silent because she is afraid of saying the wrong thing or being criticized. This fear is a common experience for many writers and artists, and it is a theme that is explored throughout Shakespeare's work. The speaker's decision to "read deep" into his own heart in order to find inspiration is a reflection of the idea that artists must confront their fears in order to create something of value.
Finally, Sonnet 85 is a reflection of Shakespeare's skill as a poet. The sonnet is filled with poetic devices, such as alliteration, consonance, and metaphor. These devices allow Shakespeare to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both powerful and memorable. For example, the use of the metaphor of the Muse as a personification of artistic inspiration is a powerful device that allows the speaker to explore the theme of creativity in a way that is both accessible and evocative.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 85 is a classic example of Shakespeare's skill as a poet. The sonnet explores a variety of different themes and ideas, including the theme of artistic inspiration and the theme of fear. The use of poetic devices, such as metaphor and alliteration, allows Shakespeare to convey these ideas in a way that is both powerful and memorable. Sonnet 85 is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to create poetry that is both beautiful and meaningful.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still is a classic poem written by the legendary William Shakespeare. This sonnet is one of the most famous and widely read poems in the English language. It is a beautiful and complex piece of literature that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and readers alike for centuries. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet 85 and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his "tongue-tied Muse," which is a metaphor for his inability to express his thoughts and feelings in words. The Muse is a classical reference to the goddesses of inspiration in Greek mythology. The speaker is essentially saying that his inspiration is stuck, and he cannot find the words to express himself. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the poet struggling to find the right words to convey his emotions.
The second line of the poem, "In manners holds her still," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "manners" here means "behavior," so the speaker is saying that his Muse is holding back or restraining herself in some way. This could be interpreted in a few different ways. Perhaps the Muse is holding back because the speaker is afraid of being too vulnerable or revealing too much of himself. Or maybe the Muse is holding back because the speaker is struggling to find the right words to express himself.
The third line of the poem, "While comments of your praise, richly compiled," is a bit easier to understand. The speaker is saying that he has received many compliments and praise for his writing, but he is still struggling to find the right words to express himself. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the poet struggling to find the right words to convey his emotions.
The fourth line of the poem, "Reserve their character with golden quill," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The word "reserve" here means "to keep or hold back," so the speaker is saying that his Muse is holding back her true character or essence. The "golden quill" is a metaphor for the pen or writing instrument that the speaker uses to write his poetry. The speaker is essentially saying that he is not able to fully capture the essence of his Muse with his writing.
The fifth line of the poem, "And precious phrase by all the Muses filed," is a bit easier to understand. The speaker is saying that he has tried to capture the essence of his Muse with his writing, but he has not been successful. The "precious phrase" is a metaphor for the words and phrases that the speaker uses in his writing. The "Muses" here are a reference to the classical goddesses of inspiration in Greek mythology.
The sixth line of the poem, "I think good thoughts whilst other write good words," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The speaker is saying that he is able to think good thoughts, but he is not able to express them in words. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the poet struggling to find the right words to convey his emotions.
The seventh line of the poem, "And like unlettered clerk still cry 'Amen' To every hymn that able spirit affords," is a bit easier to understand. The speaker is saying that he is like an uneducated person who can only say "Amen" to the words of others. The "hymn" here is a metaphor for the poetry of other writers. The "able spirit" is a reference to the writers who are able to express themselves more effectively than the speaker.
The eighth line of the poem, "In polished form of well-refined pen," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The speaker is saying that he is not able to express himself in a polished or refined way. The "well-refined pen" is a metaphor for the writing instrument that the speaker uses to write his poetry. The speaker is essentially saying that he is not able to write in a polished or refined way.
The ninth line of the poem, "Hath love for none, but fair words and true name," is a bit easier to understand. The speaker is saying that his Muse does not love anyone, but she is true to her name and speaks only fair words. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the Muse as an unattainable object of desire.
The tenth line of the poem, "And of this book, this learning mayst thou taste," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The speaker is saying that the reader of the poem can taste the learning or knowledge that is contained within it. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the poet as a teacher or guide.
The eleventh line of the poem, "The wrinkles which thy glass will truly show," is a bit easier to understand. The speaker is saying that the reader of the poem will see the wrinkles or imperfections in their own reflection when they look in the mirror. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the poet as a mirror that reflects the reader's own emotions and experiences.
The twelfth line of the poem, "Of mouthed graves will give thee memory," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The speaker is saying that the reader of the poem will remember the dead or the past when they read it. The "mouthed graves" are a metaphor for the graves of the dead, which are often depicted as open mouths in literature.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "Thou by thy dial's shady stealth mayst know," is a bit easier to understand. The speaker is saying that the reader of the poem can use their own shadow or reflection to tell time. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the poet as a guide or teacher.
The fourteenth and final line of the poem, "Time's thievish progress to eternity," is a bit more difficult to interpret. The speaker is saying that time is like a thief that steals our progress and leads us towards eternity. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
In conclusion, Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the theme of the poet struggling to find the right words to express his emotions. The poem is full of metaphors and literary devices that add depth and complexity to the speaker's message. Shakespeare's sonnets are timeless works of literature that continue to inspire and captivate readers today.
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