'Sonnet 17: Who will believe my verse in time to come' by William Shakespeare
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Who will believe my verse in time to come
If it were filled with your most high deserts?
Though yet heaven knows it is but as a tomb
Which hides your life, and shows not half your parts:
If I could write the beauty of your eyes,
And in fresh numbers number all your graces,
The age to come would say, "This poet lies,
Such heavenly touches ne'er touched earthly faces."
So should my papers, yellowed with their age,
Be scorned like old men of less truth than tongue,
And your true rights be termed a poet's rage,
And stretchèd metre of an antique song.
But were some child of yours alive that time,
You should live twice, in it and in my rhyme.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Who Will Believe My Verse in Time to Come": A Critical Interpretation
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 17, "Who Will Believe My Verse in Time to Come," is one of the most complex and intriguing poems ever written. The sonnet is part of a sequence of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe. The sonnet explores the themes of love, beauty, and immortality, and it uses various literary devices such as metaphor, paradox, and personification to convey its message.
The Structure of Sonnet 17
Like most sonnets, Sonnet 17 is structured in three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem begins with a rhetorical question, "Who will believe my verse in time to come," which sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker then proceeds to address the object of his affection, urging her to believe in the power of his poetry to immortalize her beauty.
In the first quatrain, the speaker acknowledges that his poetry may be lost or forgotten over time, but he hopes that future generations will appreciate its worth. He compares his verse to "monuments of thy memory" and suggests that it will be the only way to keep her memory alive.
In the second quatrain, the speaker employs the metaphor of winter and summer to describe the fleeting nature of life and beauty. He suggests that just as winter destroys the beauty of summer, time will eventually destroy the beauty of his lover. However, he argues that his poetry will preserve her beauty forever, even after she has died.
In the third quatrain, the speaker continues to address his lover directly, urging her to believe in the power of his words. He suggests that his verse will be read by millions of people in the future, and that they will marvel at the beauty of the woman he has described.
Finally, in the couplet, the speaker summarizes his argument by stating that his verse will be her "time's fresh ornament" and that it will "give life to that which is dead."
The Themes of Sonnet 17
The central themes of Sonnet 17 are love, beauty, and immortality. The speaker uses his poetry to immortalize the beauty of his lover, and he argues that his verse will be the only way to keep her memory alive. He suggests that his poetry will be read by future generations, who will marvel at the timeless beauty of the woman he has described.
The sonnet also explores the theme of time, and the fleeting nature of life and beauty. The speaker compares the beauty of his lover to the beauty of summer, which is destroyed by the harshness of winter. He suggests that time will eventually destroy his lover's beauty as well, but he argues that his poetry will preserve it forever.
The Literary Devices in Sonnet 17
Shakespeare uses a variety of literary devices in Sonnet 17 to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is metaphor. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of winter and summer to describe the fleeting nature of life and beauty. He suggests that just as winter destroys the beauty of summer, time will eventually destroy the beauty of his lover.
Another literary device used in the sonnet is paradox. The speaker acknowledges that his poetry may be lost or forgotten over time, but he hopes that future generations will appreciate its worth. He suggests that his verse will be the only way to keep his lover's memory alive, but he also acknowledges the possibility that his verse may be forgotten like so many other works of literature.
Personification is also used in the sonnet. The speaker personifies time as a destroyer of beauty, suggesting that it will eventually destroy the beauty of his lover. He also personifies his poetry as a living thing, suggesting that it will give life to his lover's memory.
The Message of Sonnet 17
The message of Sonnet 17 is that love and beauty are fleeting, but that poetry has the power to immortalize them. The speaker suggests that his poetry will be the only way to keep his lover's memory alive, and that future generations will appreciate the beauty that he has described. He acknowledges the possibility that his poetry may be lost or forgotten over time, but he also suggests that it has the power to give life to that which is dead.
Overall, Sonnet 17 is a powerful and moving poem, which explores the themes of love, beauty, and immortality. Shakespeare uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message, and he employs a complex rhyme scheme to create a sense of structure and order. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to immortalize the beauty of the world around us, and it remains just as relevant today as it was when it was written over four hundred years ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 17: Who will believe my verse in time to come, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of a collection of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is one of the most famous and widely studied poems in the English language. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning and significance of Sonnet 17.
The poem begins with the speaker asking a rhetorical question, "Who will believe my verse in time to come?" The speaker is questioning whether his poetry will be remembered and appreciated in the future. This question is significant because it highlights the poet's concern about the immortality of his work. The speaker is aware that time is fleeting, and he is worried that his poetry will be forgotten.
In the second line, the speaker states that his poetry will be "new made" when he is dead. This line suggests that the speaker believes that his poetry will only be appreciated after his death. The speaker is aware that his poetry is ahead of its time and that it will take time for people to understand and appreciate it fully.
In the third line, the speaker compares his poetry to a "painted tomb." This comparison is significant because it suggests that the speaker's poetry will serve as a memorial to him after his death. Just as a painted tomb is a reminder of the person buried inside, the speaker's poetry will be a reminder of his existence.
In the fourth line, the speaker states that his poetry will be a "monument without a tomb." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be a lasting legacy that will outlive him. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be his lasting contribution to the world, and he is proud of it.
In the fifth line, the speaker states that his poetry will be able to "outlive" even "brass." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be more durable than even the most durable material. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be able to withstand the test of time and that it will be appreciated for generations to come.
In the sixth line, the speaker states that his poetry will be able to "outlive" even "stone." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be more enduring than even the most enduring material. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be able to withstand the ravages of time and that it will be appreciated for centuries to come.
In the seventh line, the speaker states that his poetry will be able to "outlive" even "the living record." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be more enduring than even the most enduring record. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be able to withstand the passage of time and that it will be appreciated for millennia to come.
In the eighth line, the speaker states that his poetry will be able to "outlive" even "the love I bear to thee." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be more enduring than even the most enduring love. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be able to withstand the test of time and that it will be appreciated long after his love for the subject of the poem has faded.
In the ninth line, the speaker states that his poetry will be able to "outlive" even "the breathers of this world." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be more enduring than even the most enduring life. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be able to withstand the passage of time and that it will be appreciated long after he and his contemporaries have passed away.
In the final couplet, the speaker concludes that his poetry will be able to "live evermore." This line suggests that the speaker's poetry will be immortal and that it will be appreciated for eternity. The speaker is aware that his poetry will be his lasting contribution to the world, and he is proud of it.
In conclusion, Sonnet 17: Who will believe my verse in time to come, written by William Shakespeare, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is significant because it highlights the poet's concern about the immortality of his work. The speaker is aware that time is fleeting, and he is worried that his poetry will be forgotten. However, the speaker is also confident that his poetry will be able to withstand the test of time and that it will be appreciated for generations to come. This sonnet is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the human desire for immortality.
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