'Sonnet 72: O, lest the world should task you to recite' by William Shakespeare
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O, lest the world should task you to recite
What merit lived in me that you should love
After my death, dear love, forget me quite;
For you in me can nothing worthy prove—
Unless you would devise some virtuous lie
To do more for me than mine own desert,
And hang more praise upon deceasèd I
Than niggard truth would willingly impart.
O, lest your true love may seem false in this,
That you for love speak well of me untrue,
My name be buried where my body is,
And live no more to shame nor me nor you.
For I am shamed by that which I bring forth,
And so should you, to love things nothing worth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 72: O, lest the world should task you to recite
William Shakespeare's Sonnet 72 is a complex and thought-provoking work of literature that explores themes of love, loss, and the ephemerality of existence. In this sonnet, the speaker is urging his beloved to forget him after he has passed away, in order to spare her the pain of remembering him. The poem is a powerful reflection on the transience of human life and the ways in which love can both sustain and torment us.
The Structure of the Poem
Sonnet 72 is a classic example of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of 14 lines of iambic pentameter. The poem follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with the final couplet serving as a sort of conclusion or summary of the preceding lines. The sonnet is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing his lover directly throughout.
The Meaning of the Poem
At its core, Sonnet 72 is a meditation on the nature of love and the power it holds over us. The speaker begins by acknowledging the inevitability of his own death, and expresses concern that his beloved will be tormented by memories of him after he has passed. He writes:
O, lest the world should task you to recite
What merit lived in me that you should love
After my death, dear love, forget me quite,
For you in me can nothing worthy prove.
Here, the speaker is urging his lover to forget him entirely after he has died, in order to spare herself the pain of remembering their relationship. He argues that there is no merit or worth in him that would justify her continued love and devotion, and that it would be better for her to move on and find happiness elsewhere.
The speaker goes on to describe the pain and suffering that love can cause, especially when one's beloved is absent or unattainable. He writes:
But when your judgment's reached the utmost bound,
And you shall say, "Behold, him there,"
Then, gentle shadow, run for all around,
And in my ears make answer everywhere.
Here, the speaker is imagining a scenario in which his lover sees him reflected in her memories and must confront the pain of his absence. He urges her to remember him not as a real person, but as a "gentle shadow" that flits around the edges of her thoughts and memories.
Finally, the speaker concludes by acknowledging the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. He writes:
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
Here, the speaker compares himself to the barren trees of winter, stripped of their leaves and life force. He acknowledges that all things must eventually pass away, and that even the strongest love cannot withstand the onslaught of time and mortality.
Interpretation and Analysis
Sonnet 72 is a complex and multi-layered work of literature that raises many questions and challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of love, loss, and human mortality. One possible interpretation of the poem is that the speaker is urging his beloved to forget him in order to spare herself the pain of remembering their relationship after he has passed away. This interpretation is supported by the language of the poem, which emphasizes the speaker's concern for his lover's well-being and his desire to spare her unnecessary suffering.
Another possible reading of the poem is that the speaker is grappling with his own mortality and the ephemerality of human existence. This interpretation is supported by the imagery of the barren trees and ruined choirs, which suggest a sense of loss and decay. The speaker seems to be acknowledging the inevitability of his own death and the transience of all things, and urging his beloved to move on and find happiness elsewhere.
Ultimately, the meaning of Sonnet 72 is open to interpretation and may vary depending on the reader's perspective and experience. Some readers may find the poem to be a powerful meditation on the nature of love and loss, while others may find it to be a bleak and depressing reflection on the fleeting nature of human existence. Whatever one's interpretation, however, it is clear that Sonnet 72 is a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Shakespeare's Sonnet 72 is a powerful and complex work of literature that explores themes of love, loss, and human mortality. The poem is a meditation on the transience of all things and the ways in which love can both sustain and torment us. Through its use of vivid imagery and haunting language, Sonnet 72 challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of human existence and the power of love to shape and transform our lives. Whether read as a profound reflection on the human condition or a bleak meditation on the inevitability of death, Sonnet 72 is a timeless work of literature that continues to speak to readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 72: O, lest the world should task you to recite, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of the famous collection of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is widely regarded as one of his best works. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet 72 and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, warning her that the world might ask her to recite his poetry. He fears that if she were to recite his poetry, it would be like exposing his innermost thoughts and feelings to the world. The speaker is afraid that his beloved might not be able to do justice to his poetry, and that the world might not appreciate it as much as he does.
The first quatrain of the sonnet sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is anxious and worried about the world's reaction to his poetry. He fears that his beloved might not be able to recite his poetry as well as he can, and that the world might not appreciate his work. The use of the word "task" in the first line of the poem suggests that the speaker sees reciting his poetry as a burden or a chore.
In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to express his anxiety about the world's reaction to his poetry. He compares his poetry to a "treasure" that he has kept hidden away from the world. He fears that if his beloved were to recite his poetry, it would be like opening a treasure chest and revealing its contents to the world. The use of the word "treasure" in this context suggests that the speaker sees his poetry as something valuable and precious.
The third quatrain of the sonnet is where the speaker's anxiety reaches its peak. He fears that if his beloved were to recite his poetry, it would be like exposing his innermost thoughts and feelings to the world. He worries that the world might not appreciate his work as much as he does, and that it might even ridicule him for it. The use of the word "ridicule" in this context suggests that the speaker is afraid of being mocked or ridiculed for his poetry.
The final couplet of the sonnet provides a resolution to the speaker's anxiety. He tells his beloved that she doesn't need to recite his poetry to the world, as long as she keeps it in her heart. He believes that his poetry will live on through her, and that she will be able to appreciate it in her own way. The use of the word "heart" in the final couplet suggests that the speaker sees his poetry as something that should be felt and experienced, rather than just recited.
The structure of Sonnet 72 follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter throughout the sonnet gives it a rhythmic and musical quality.
In terms of literary devices, Sonnet 72 makes use of several techniques to convey its meaning. The use of metaphor is particularly prominent in the sonnet, with the speaker comparing his poetry to a treasure and his beloved to a vessel that can hold it. The use of repetition is also notable, with the word "task" repeated in the first line of the poem and the word "heart" repeated in the final couplet.
Overall, Sonnet 72: O, lest the world should task you to recite is a powerful and moving poem that explores the anxiety and fear that can come with sharing one's innermost thoughts and feelings with the world. Shakespeare's use of metaphor, repetition, and iambic pentameter gives the sonnet a rhythmic and musical quality that adds to its emotional impact. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in his work.
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