'Sonnet 59: If there be nothing new, but that which is' by William Shakespeare
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If there be nothing new, but that which is
Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled,
Which, labouring for invention bear amis
The second burthen of a former child!
O, that record could with a backward look,
Even of five hundred courses of the sun,
Show me your image in some antique book,
Since mind at first in character was done.
That I might see what the old world could say
To this composèd wonder of your frame;
Whether we are mended, or whe'er better they,
Or whether revolution be the same.
O, sure I am the wits of former days
To subjects worse have given admiring praise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 59: If there be nothing new, but that which is written by William Shakespeare
When it comes to the works of William Shakespeare, one can argue that there is nothing quite like it. His plays and sonnets have captured the hearts of audiences for centuries, and his language and storytelling continue to intrigue scholars to this day. One such sonnet that has stood the test of time is Sonnet 59, which speaks to the idea of repetition and the continuation of tradition in literature.
The Poem
If there be nothing new, but that which is Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled, Which, labouring for invention, bear amiss The second burthen of a former child! O, that record could with a backward look, Even of five hundred courses of the sun, Show me your image in some antique book, Since mind at first in character was done! That I might see what the old world could say To this composed wonder of your frame; Whether we are mended, or whether better they, Or whether revolution be the same. O, sure I am, the wits of former days To subjects worse have given admiring praise.
Upon first reading, Sonnet 59 may seem like a lamentation of the lack of originality in literature. Shakespeare questions the notion that there is anything truly new under the sun, and instead wonders how our brains can be "beguiled" into thinking that there is. He uses the metaphor of "the second burden of a former child," suggesting that writers are constantly trying to create something new, but ultimately end up repeating what has already been written before.
However, upon closer analysis, it becomes clear that Shakespeare is not necessarily criticizing this idea of repetition, but rather embracing it. He longs for the past and wishes that he could see his own work reflected in an "antique book." He wants to know what the "old world" would say about his "composed wonder."
Ultimately, Sonnet 59 is a meditation on the cyclical nature of literature and the continuation of tradition. Shakespeare recognizes that even if there is nothing truly new, the way in which writers interpret and present ideas can still be fresh and original.
Literary Techniques
One of the most striking literary techniques in Sonnet 59 is the use of metaphor. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of the "second burden of a former child" to illustrate the idea of repetition in literature. This metaphor is particularly powerful because it suggests that writers are burdened by the weight of what has come before them, but also that they have the potential to create something new out of that weight.
Another notable technique is the use of imagery. Shakespeare paints a vivid picture of the past with his description of "some antique book," which would show him "what the old world could say." This image of an ancient, dusty tome is particularly effective in conveying the sense of longing and nostalgia that Shakespeare is expressing.
Finally, the sonnet itself is a masterclass in poetic form. Shakespeare adheres strictly to the rules of the sonnet, with fourteen lines and a strict rhyme scheme. The use of iambic pentameter also gives the sonnet a musical quality that is both pleasing to the ear and helps to convey the poem's meaning.
Interpretation
At its core, Sonnet 59 is a celebration of tradition and the power of literature to connect us to the past. Shakespeare recognizes that there is nothing truly new under the sun, but he also notes that the way in which writers interpret and present ideas can still be fresh and original.
Perhaps more importantly, Sonnet 59 is a call to action for writers and readers alike. Shakespeare is urging us to look to the past for inspiration and to use that inspiration to create something new and exciting. He is reminding us that even if we feel burdened by the weight of what has come before us, we still have the ability to create something beautiful and meaningful.
In this sense, Sonnet 59 is a deeply optimistic poem that speaks to the enduring power of literature to inspire and connect us across time and space. It is a reminder that even if there is nothing truly new under the sun, the way in which we interpret and present those ideas can still be fresh and exciting.
Conclusion
Sonnet 59 is a powerful meditation on the cyclical nature of literature and the power of tradition to inspire and connect us across time and space. Shakespeare's use of metaphor, imagery, and poetic form all come together to create a powerful and deeply moving poem that speaks to the enduring power of literature to inspire and connect us.
As readers and writers, we would do well to heed Shakespeare's call to action and look to the past for inspiration. Even if there is nothing truly new under the sun, the way in which we interpret and present those ideas can still be fresh and exciting. Ultimately, Sonnet 59 is a celebration of the human spirit and the enduring power of literature to connect us across time and space.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 59: If there be nothing new, but that which is written by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated poets and playwrights in history. His works have been studied, analyzed, and performed for centuries, and his influence on the English language and literature is immeasurable. One of his most famous works is Sonnet 59, which explores the idea of originality and the role of the poet in creating something new.
The sonnet begins with the line, "If there be nothing new, but that which is," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Shakespeare is acknowledging that everything that can be said or written has already been said or written before. This idea is not new, but it is one that has been explored by many poets and philosophers throughout history. However, Shakespeare takes this idea and turns it on its head, using it as a challenge to himself and to other poets.
The second line of the sonnet reads, "Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled," which suggests that even though everything has been said before, we are still captivated by new ideas and new expressions of old ideas. Shakespeare is questioning why we are still drawn to poetry and literature if there is nothing new to be said. He then goes on to answer his own question in the following lines.
The third and fourth lines of the sonnet read, "Which, labouring for invention, bear amiss/The second burthen of a former child." Here, Shakespeare is suggesting that poets are like midwives, trying to give birth to something new and original, but often failing and producing something that is similar to what has come before. He is acknowledging that creating something new is difficult, but he is also suggesting that it is the duty of the poet to try.
The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet read, "Oh, that record could with a backward look,/Even of five hundred courses of the sun." Here, Shakespeare is expressing a desire to look back in time and see what has been written before. He is suggesting that by studying the works of previous poets, he can learn from their successes and failures and create something new and original.
The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet read, "Show me your image in some antique book,/Since mind at first in character was done." Here, Shakespeare is asking for inspiration from the past. He is suggesting that by looking at the works of previous poets, he can find inspiration for his own work. He is also acknowledging that the human mind has been the same since the beginning of time, and that the same ideas and emotions have been expressed in different ways throughout history.
The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet read, "That I might see what the old world could say/To this composed wonder of your frame." Here, Shakespeare is expressing a desire to see what the poets of the past have written about the same ideas and emotions that he is exploring in his own work. He is suggesting that by studying the works of previous poets, he can create something new and original that builds on what has come before.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet read, "Whether we are mended, or whether better they,/Or whether revolution be the same." Here, Shakespeare is acknowledging that the poets of the past may have expressed the same ideas and emotions in a better way than he can. He is also suggesting that by studying the works of previous poets, he can learn from their successes and failures and create something new and original.
The final two lines of the sonnet read, "Oh, sure I am the wits of former days/To subjects worse have given admiring praise." Here, Shakespeare is expressing confidence in his own abilities as a poet. He is suggesting that even though everything that can be said or written has already been said or written before, he can still create something new and original that is worthy of admiration.
In conclusion, Sonnet 59 is a powerful exploration of the idea of originality and the role of the poet in creating something new. Shakespeare acknowledges that everything that can be said or written has already been said or written before, but he also suggests that it is the duty of the poet to try to create something new and original. He expresses a desire to look back in time and study the works of previous poets in order to find inspiration for his own work. Ultimately, Shakespeare expresses confidence in his own abilities as a poet, suggesting that even though everything has been said before, he can still create something new and original that is worthy of admiration.
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