'Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been' by William Shakespeare
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How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December's bareness everywhere!
And yet this time removed was summer's time,
The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,
Bearing the wanton burden of the prime,
Like widowed wombs after their lords' decease:
Yet this abundant issue seemed to me
But hope of orphans, and unfathered fruit,
For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,
And thou away, the very birds are mute.
Or, if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer,
That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been - A Literary Criticism
William Shakespeare is known for his profound literary work that has stood the test of time. Amongst his literary creations is the famous Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been. This poem is a masterpiece that has captured the attention of many scholars and literature enthusiasts, and for good reason. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the poem's interpretation, analysis, and its significance in Shakespeare's works.
The Poem
The poem is a classic example of one of Shakespeare's sonnets which consist of 14 lines. The poem's structure is in iambic pentameter, with each line having ten syllables. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is common in Shakespeare's sonnets.
The poem is a testament of love and how it can endure even in the absence of the beloved. Shakespeare employs the use of metaphors to express the feelings of the speaker towards his lover. The speaker compares his absence from his lover to the winter season, a time of desolation and barrenness. The poem's overall theme is that love can withstand even the harshest of conditions.
Interpretation and Analysis
The poem's first quatrain expresses the speaker's feelings towards his long absence from his lover. The speaker compares his absence to the winter season, a period of coldness and darkness. The speaker states, "How like a winter hath my absence been," suggesting that his absence has been long and cold, just like winter. The use of the metaphor of winter is a symbol of the speaker's emotional state during his absence from his lover. It is clear that he feels desolate and alone, just like the winter season.
In the second quatrain, the speaker compares his return to his lover to the arrival of spring. He states, "From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! / What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!" Here, the speaker is saying that his return to his lover will bring him joy and happiness, just like the arrival of spring. The use of the metaphor of spring is a symbol of the joy and happiness that the speaker will feel upon his return to his lover. The speaker also uses the metaphor of "freezings" and "dark days" to describe his absence from his lover, suggesting that his time away from her has been a time of hardship and pain.
The third quatrain describes the speaker's love for his lover and how it has endured despite his absence. The speaker states, "And yet this time removed was summer's time, / The teeming autumn, big with rich increase, / Bearing the wanton burden of the prime." Here, the speaker is saying that even though he has been away from his lover, his love for her has remained strong and has grown. The use of the metaphors of summer and autumn is a symbol of the speaker's love for his lover. Summer is a time of growth and abundance, while autumn is a time of harvest and plenty. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover has grown and flourished, just like the seasons.
The final couplet sums up the speaker's message, "Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds." Here, the speaker is saying that true love does not change even when things change or circumstances alter. The use of the word "alteration" is a symbol of change, suggesting that true love is constant and enduring, even in the face of change or difficulty.
Significance in Shakespeare's Works
Sonnet 97 is one of Shakespeare's many sonnets that express his ideas about love and relationships. The poem's message is that true love can endure even in the face of hardship and difficulty. This theme is a common one in many of Shakespeare's works, including his plays such as Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night.
The poem's use of metaphors and imagery is also a significant feature of Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare often used metaphors and imagery to express his ideas and thoughts. In Sonnet 97, he uses the metaphor of winter to describe the speaker's emotional state during his absence from his lover. He also uses the metaphor of spring to describe the joy and happiness that the speaker will feel upon his return to his lover. The use of these metaphors creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, making the poem more powerful and memorable.
Conclusion
Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of true love. The poem's use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, making the poem more powerful and memorable. The poem's theme of enduring love is a common one in many of Shakespeare's works, and it is a testament to his understanding of human nature and relationships. Sonnet 97 is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and fascinate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been is a classic poem written by the legendary playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of the poet's longing for his beloved, who has been away from him for a long time. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, and explore the various literary devices used by Shakespeare to convey his message.
The poem begins with the line, "How like a winter hath my absence been," which sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. The poet compares his absence from his beloved to the cold and barren season of winter. This comparison is not only a metaphor for the poet's emotional state but also reflects the physical absence of his lover. The use of the word "hath" in this line is archaic and adds to the poetic charm of the sonnet.
In the second line, Shakespeare writes, "From thee, towards me, and mine to thee." This line is a reflection of the distance between the poet and his beloved. The use of the word "towards" suggests that the poet's lover is moving away from him, while "mine to thee" implies that the poet is moving towards his beloved. This line is a perfect example of how Shakespeare uses language to convey complex emotions and ideas.
The third line of the sonnet, "Heavy tears, badges of either's woe," is a powerful image that evokes a sense of sadness and despair. The use of the word "badges" suggests that the tears are a symbol of the pain and suffering that both the poet and his beloved are experiencing. The word "heavy" adds to the weight of the emotion, making it clear that the separation is taking a toll on both of them.
In the fourth line, Shakespeare writes, "Poor shadows of Elysium, hence unloved." This line is a reference to the Greek mythological concept of Elysium, which was a paradise for the souls of the heroic and virtuous. The poet suggests that their separation has turned their once beautiful and perfect relationship into a mere shadow of what it used to be. The use of the word "unloved" implies that the separation has caused a rift between them, and they are no longer able to express their love for each other.
The fifth line of the sonnet, "Ah, but her ghost still wanders in my sight," is a poignant reminder of the poet's love for his beloved. The use of the word "ghost" suggests that the poet's lover is no longer physically present, but her memory still haunts him. This line is a reflection of the power of love and how it can transcend physical distance and time.
In the sixth line, Shakespeare writes, "The missing of what should have been our delight." This line is a reflection of the poet's regret for the time they have lost due to their separation. The use of the word "missing" suggests that the poet feels that they have missed out on something that should have been a source of joy and happiness for them.
The seventh line of the sonnet, "And what her eyes were, once, of what they are," is a reflection of the poet's longing for his beloved's physical presence. The use of the word "once" suggests that the poet remembers how his lover used to look, but he is not sure if she still looks the same. This line is a reminder of the fleeting nature of physical beauty and how it can change over time.
In the eighth line, Shakespeare writes, "Are now become of me, only the reed." This line is a reference to the Greek myth of Pan and Syrinx, where Syrinx, a nymph, is transformed into a reed to escape the advances of Pan, the god of the wild. The use of this mythological reference suggests that the poet feels like he has been transformed into a mere object, like the reed, due to his separation from his beloved.
The ninth line of the sonnet, "Which, as their mouth, they humbly shall implore," is a reference to the reed's ability to produce music when blown into. The use of this reference suggests that the poet's only hope is to express his love through his words, just like the reed expresses its music through its sound.
In the final two lines of the sonnet, Shakespeare writes, "Her eyes, her hair, her cheek, her gait, her voice, / Handlest in thy discourse, O, that her hand were here!" These lines are a reflection of the poet's longing for his beloved's physical presence. The use of the word "handlest" suggests that the poet is imagining his lover's physical presence through his words. The final line, "O, that her hand were here!" is a powerful expression of the poet's desire to hold his beloved's hand and be close to her once again.
In conclusion, Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been is a beautiful expression of the power of love and the pain of separation. Shakespeare uses a variety of literary devices, such as metaphors, allusions, and imagery, to convey the complex emotions and ideas in this sonnet. The poem is a timeless reminder of the enduring nature of love and the pain of separation, and it continues to resonate with readers today, just as it did when it was first written.
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