'Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more' by William Shakespeare

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Who is it that says most, which can say more,
Than this rich praise—that you alone are you,
In whose confine immur�d is the store
Which should example where your equal grew?
Lean penury within that pen doth dwell
That to his subject lends not some small glory;
But he that writes of you, if he can tell
That you are you, so dignifies his story.
Let him but copy what in you is writ,
Not making worse what nature made so clear,
And such a counterpart shall fame his wit,
Making his style admir�d everywhere.
You to your beauteous blessings add a curse,
Being fond on praise, which makes your praises worse.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more" by William Shakespeare

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this sonnet? It's just so rich and complex and thought-provoking. I feel like I could spend days analyzing every single word and still not fully grasp all of its nuances. But I'll do my best to give you a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more" by William Shakespeare.

Context and Background

First things first, a little bit of context. This sonnet is part of Shakespeare's larger body of work, which includes 154 sonnets in total. These sonnets were likely written over a period of several years, although the exact timeline is not known. They were published in 1609, and are considered some of the most famous and influential love poetry in the English language.

Analysis

Now, let's dive into "Sonnet 84." The first thing that strikes me about this sonnet is its structure. Like all of Shakespeare's sonnets, it is composed of 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG). But within that structure, there is a lot of variation in meter and rhythm. Some lines have a regular iambic pentameter (five feet of unstressed/stressed syllables), while others deviate from that pattern. For example, the opening line has six syllables instead of ten: "Who is it that says most, which can say more." This creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is bursting with the need to ask this question.

So what is the question? Well, the rest of the sonnet explores the idea of language and communication. The speaker wonders who is more skilled at expressing themselves: the person who talks the most, or the person who says very little but is able to convey a lot of meaning in those few words. The first quatrain (four lines) sets up this idea: "Who is it that says most, which can say more/ Than this rich praise, that you alone are you?" The speaker is essentially saying that no matter how much someone talks, they can never fully capture the essence of another person. There is something ineffable and unique about each individual that can't be captured in words.

The second quatrain builds on this idea by using the metaphor of music. The speaker suggests that words are like musical notes, and some people are more skilled at arranging those notes into beautiful compositions that evoke emotion. "In whose confine immured is the store/ Which should example where your equal grew./ Lean penury within that pen doth dwell/ That to his subject lends not some small glory." Here, the speaker is saying that some people have a natural talent for stringing words together in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. But even the most skilled wordsmith can only do so much with their limited vocabulary and abilities.

The third quatrain takes a slightly different turn, as the speaker shifts from talking about language in the abstract to addressing a specific person: the beloved. "Fair, kind, and true, have often lived alone,/ Which three till now never kept seat in one." The speaker is essentially saying that the beloved possesses three qualities that are rarely found together in one person: beauty, kindness, and truthfulness. These qualities are so rare and precious that it's difficult to express them adequately in words. But the speaker tries anyway, using the final couplet to sum up all that has come before: "Say this is I, and I am this withal,/ And praise befall thee at thy sweetest call."

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? Well, like with most of Shakespeare's sonnets, there is no one right answer. But here are a few interpretations that I find compelling:

The sonnet is a meditation on the limitations of language. No matter how skilled we are at expressing ourselves, there are always aspects of our inner selves that remain elusive and indescribable. This is especially true when it comes to emotions and relationships, which are notoriously difficult to put into words.
The sonnet is a love poem that celebrates the beloved's unique qualities. The speaker is saying that no matter how much they try to express their feelings, they can never fully capture the essence of the beloved. But that doesn't stop them from trying, and in fact, the attempt itself is worthy of praise.
The sonnet is a commentary on the nature of art. Just as some people are more skilled at arranging words into beautiful compositions, some people are more skilled at creating art in general. But even the most skilled artist can only do so much with their materials. There is always a sense of limitation and imperfection, no matter how great the final product may be.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more" is a rich and complex work that touches on themes of language, love, and art. Through its intricate structure and metaphorical language, it invites us to think deeply about the nature of communication and expression. And like all of Shakespeare's sonnets, it reminds us of the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This classic poem is a perfect example of Shakespeare's exceptional ability to use language to convey deep emotions and complex ideas. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a rhetorical question, "Who is it that says most, which can say more?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it invites the reader to ponder the nature of language and communication. Shakespeare is asking us to consider who is more effective in their speech, those who speak the most or those who say the most with fewer words.

The second line of the poem, "Which can say more, than this rich praise, that you alone, are you?" is a direct address to the subject of the poem. Shakespeare is praising the person he is addressing, telling them that they are unique and incomparable. This line also introduces the theme of individuality, which is a recurring theme in Shakespeare's work.

The third line of the poem, "In whose confine immured is the store," is a metaphor for the subject's mind. Shakespeare is saying that the person he is addressing has a vast store of knowledge and wisdom within them, which is confined within their mind. This line also suggests that the person is humble and does not boast about their knowledge.

The fourth line of the poem, "Which should example where your equal grew," is a continuation of the metaphor from the previous line. Shakespeare is saying that the person he is addressing should set an example for others to follow, as they are the equal of no one. This line also suggests that the person is a role model for others.

The fifth line of the poem, "Lean penury within that pen doth dwell," is a contrast to the previous lines. Shakespeare is saying that despite the person's wealth of knowledge and wisdom, they are poor. This line suggests that the person is not materialistic and values knowledge and wisdom above material possessions.

The sixth line of the poem, "That to his subject lends not some small glory," is a continuation of the contrast from the previous line. Shakespeare is saying that despite the person's poverty, they lend glory to their subject. This line suggests that the person is respected and admired for their knowledge and wisdom.

The seventh line of the poem, "But he that writes of you, if he can tell," is a shift in focus from the person being addressed to the person writing about them. Shakespeare is saying that if someone were to write about the person he is addressing, they would struggle to do them justice. This line suggests that the person is truly unique and incomparable.

The eighth line of the poem, "That you are you, so dignifies his story," is a continuation of the previous line. Shakespeare is saying that the fact that the person is who they are adds dignity to any story written about them. This line suggests that the person is a source of inspiration and admiration.

The ninth line of the poem, "Let him but copy what in you is writ," is a call to the person writing about the subject to simply copy what is already written within them. Shakespeare is saying that the person is so unique and exceptional that there is no need to embellish or exaggerate their qualities. This line suggests that the person is truly one of a kind.

The tenth line of the poem, "Not making worse what nature made so clear," is a warning to the person writing about the subject not to distort or obscure their natural qualities. Shakespeare is saying that the person is already perfect as they are, and any attempt to improve upon them would be futile. This line suggests that the person is a natural talent and does not need to be artificially enhanced.

The eleventh line of the poem, "And such a counterpart shall fame his wit," is a conclusion to the poem. Shakespeare is saying that if someone were to write about the person he is addressing, they would become famous for their wit and skill as a writer. This line suggests that the person is a source of inspiration and admiration for others.

In terms of structure, Sonnet 84 follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each quatrain presenting a different aspect of the poem's theme. The final couplet serves as a conclusion to the poem, summarizing the main ideas and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In terms of literary devices, Sonnet 84 is rich in metaphors and imagery. The metaphor of the subject's mind being a store of knowledge and wisdom is particularly effective, as it conveys the idea of the person's inner richness and depth. The contrast between the person's poverty and their wealth of knowledge is also a powerful image, as it suggests that material possessions are not the measure of a person's worth.

In conclusion, Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more, is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Shakespeare's exceptional talent for language and communication. The poem invites the reader to ponder the nature of language and communication, and to consider the value of individuality and knowledge. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem conveys a powerful message about the importance of inner richness and depth. Sonnet 84 is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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