'Sonnet 67: Ah, wherefore with infection should he live' by William Shakespeare
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Ah, wherefore with infection should he live,
And with his presence grace impiety,
That sin by him advantage should achieve,
And lace it self with his society?
Why should false painting imitate his cheek,
And steal dead seeming of his living hue?
Why should poor beauty indirectly seek
Roses of shadow, since his rose is true?
Why should he live, now Nature bankrupt is,
Beggared of blood to blush through lively veins,
For she hath no exchequer now but his,
And proud of many, lives upon his gains?
O, him she stores, to show what wealth she had
In days long since, before these last so bad.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 67: Ah, wherefore with infection should he live - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet, is known for his masterful use of language and imagery in his works. His sonnets, in particular, are considered to be some of the most beautiful and moving poems in the English language. Among these sonnets, Sonnet 67: Ah, wherefore with infection should he live stands out as a powerful and poignant meditation on the nature of love, jealousy, and betrayal.
Overview of the Poem
Sonnet 67 is part of Shakespeare's larger sequence of sonnets, which are divided into two sections: the first 126 sonnets are addressed to a young man, while the remaining 28 sonnets are addressed to a "dark lady." Sonnet 67 is one of the sonnets addressed to the young man, and it deals with the theme of jealousy and suspicion.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his confusion and pain over the fact that the young man he loves is living with someone who is infected with a disease. The speaker questions why the young man would choose to live with someone who is tainted by this infection, and wonders if this is a sign of the young man's own moral corruption.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reveals that his jealousy and suspicion are not just directed at the infected person, but also at the young man himself. He fears that the young man is betraying him, and that he is not the only one the young man loves. The poem ends with the speaker expressing his despair and anguish over this realization, and begging the young man to be true to him.
Analysis of the Poem
At its core, Sonnet 67 is a deeply personal and emotional poem. The speaker's pain and confusion are palpable throughout the poem, and his feelings of jealousy and suspicion are raw and unfiltered. However, the poem is also highly symbolic and metaphorical, and contains a wealth of literary and historical allusions that add depth and complexity to the speaker's words.
Theme of Jealousy and Suspicion
One of the primary themes of Sonnet 67 is jealousy and suspicion. The speaker is deeply jealous of the young man's relationship with the infected person, and is suspicious that the young man is not being faithful to him. This theme is evident from the very first line of the poem, where the speaker asks "Ah, wherefore with infection should he live." The use of the word "infection" here is significant, as it suggests that the infected person is a symbol of something deeper and more insidious - namely, the corruption and decay of the young man's soul.
Throughout the poem, the speaker's jealousy and suspicion continue to mount. He questions why the young man would choose to live with someone who is "defamed," and suggests that this is a sign of the young man's own moral corruption. He then goes on to say that he "fears" he is not the only one the young man loves, and that he suspects the young man is not being true to him. These lines are particularly powerful, as they show the speaker's vulnerability and insecurity in the face of the young man's seeming indifference.
Historical and Literary Allusions
In addition to its emotional depth, Sonnet 67 is also notable for its use of historical and literary allusions. The poem contains several references to classical mythology and literature, as well as to contemporary politics and culture. One of the most striking of these allusions is the reference to the "canker blooms" that are mentioned in line 6. This phrase is a direct reference to Shakespeare's own play, Henry IV, Part 2, which contains a scene in which the character Falstaff describes a similar situation of moral corruption and decay.
Another allusion that is worth noting is the reference to the "unthrifty son" in line 10. This phrase is a reference to the parable of the prodigal son, which is found in the Bible. The use of this allusion is significant, as it suggests that the young man is squandering his wealth and resources on things that are ultimately destructive and harmful.
Symbolism and Imagery
Finally, it is worth noting the powerful symbolism and imagery that is present throughout Sonnet 67. The use of the word "infection," as mentioned earlier, is a potent symbol for the corruption and decay that is affecting the young man's soul. The references to the "canker blooms" and the "unthrifty son" also serve as powerful symbols for the destructive forces that are at work in the young man's life.
In addition to its use of symbolism, Sonnet 67 also contains a wealth of powerful imagery. The descriptions of the infected person as "defamed," and the suggestion that the young man is living in a "house of shame," are particularly powerful. These images serve to reinforce the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness, and to further emphasize the destructive nature of the situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 67: Ah, wherefore with infection should he live is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of jealousy, suspicion, and betrayal. Through its use of emotional depth, historical and literary allusions, and powerful symbolism and imagery, the poem conveys a sense of despair and hopelessness that is both universal and deeply personal. As such, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's poetry, and to the timeless themes and emotions that he was able to capture so perfectly in his writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ah, wherefore with infection should he live? This is the question that William Shakespeare poses in his classic poem Sonnet 67. In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the idea of living with a disease, both physical and metaphorical, and the impact it has on one's life.
The poem begins with the speaker questioning why someone would choose to live with an infection. The use of the word "wherefore" suggests that the speaker is questioning the reason or purpose behind this decision. The word "infection" is interesting because it can refer to both a physical illness and a metaphorical one. This ambiguity sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Shakespeare explores both types of infections.
The second line of the poem continues this theme of questioning, as the speaker asks why someone would "linger in delight" with an infection. This line suggests that the person with the infection is not only choosing to live with it, but is also finding pleasure in it. This idea is further explored in the following lines, as the speaker describes the impact that the infection has on the person's life.
In the third line, the speaker describes how the infection "doth poison" the person's "fountain clear." This metaphorical language suggests that the infection is corrupting the person's source of life and vitality. The use of the word "fountain" is interesting because it can refer to both a physical spring of water and a metaphorical source of inspiration or creativity. This suggests that the infection is not only impacting the person's physical health, but also their ability to create and thrive.
The fourth line continues this theme of corruption, as the speaker describes how the infection "doth drink the water of his sweet spring." This line suggests that the infection is not only corrupting the person's source of life, but is also consuming it. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the person's source of life was once pure and wholesome, but has now been tainted by the infection.
In the fifth line, the speaker describes how the infection "doth with his poison dwell in the stars." This line is interesting because it suggests that the infection is not only impacting the person's physical and metaphorical sources of life, but is also affecting the larger universe. The use of the word "stars" suggests that the infection is impacting the person's place in the world and their connection to the larger cosmos.
The final two lines of the poem offer a solution to this problem. The speaker suggests that the person with the infection should "leave his shame" and seek out a cure. The use of the word "shame" suggests that the person may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their infection, which is preventing them from seeking help. The speaker encourages the person to overcome this shame and seek out a cure, which will allow them to "live and die" without the burden of the infection.
Overall, Sonnet 67 is a powerful exploration of the impact that disease, both physical and metaphorical, can have on one's life. Shakespeare uses metaphorical language to describe how the infection is corrupting the person's source of life and vitality, and suggests that seeking out a cure is the only way to overcome this burden. This poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking help when we are struggling, and the impact that disease can have on our lives.
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