'Sonnet 49: Against that time, if ever that time come' by William Shakespeare
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Against that time, if ever that time come,
When I shall see thee frown on my defects,
When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum,
Called to that audit by advised respects;
Against that time when thou shalt strangely pass,
And scarcely greet me with that sun, thine eye,
When love, converted from the thing it was,
Shall reasons find of settled gravity—
Against that time do I ensconce me here
Within the knowledge of mine own desart,
And this my hand, against myself uprear,
To guard the lawful reasons on thy part.
To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws,
Since why to love I can allege no cause.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 49: Against that time, if ever that time come
William Shakespeare is a man whose literary works have stood the test of time. His poems and plays have been analyzed and interpreted by scholars, poets, and enthusiasts alike. Among his many sonnets, Sonnet 49 is a gem that captures the essence of the human spirit: the fear of losing what one holds dear. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, literary devices, and language used by Shakespeare to convey his message.
Background
Before we dive in, let us take a moment to understand the context in which this sonnet was written. Sonnet 49 is part of a series of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, which were published in 1609. These sonnets were addressed to a young man, and many of them explore themes such as love, beauty, and time. The identity of the young man remains a mystery, and scholars have debated whether these sonnets were autobiographical or fictional.
Themes
The main theme of Sonnet 49 is the fear of losing what one holds dear. Shakespeare begins the sonnet by stating, "Against that time, if ever that time come," which suggests that he is anticipating a future event that he dreads. He goes on to describe the various ways in which he fears losing his connection to the young man. He worries that the young man may turn away from him or forget about him, that he may fall out of love with him, or that death may separate them.
In addition to the fear of loss, Sonnet 49 also explores the theme of time. Shakespeare personifies time as a "bloody tyrant," which suggests that he sees time as a force that is cruel and oppressive. He also refers to time as a "stealer" and a "usurer," which implies that time takes away what it has given and demands more in return.
Literary Devices
Shakespeare is known for his use of poetic devices, and Sonnet 49 is no exception. One of the most prominent literary devices used in this sonnet is personification. As mentioned earlier, Shakespeare personifies time as a "bloody tyrant" and a "usurer." By giving time human characteristics, Shakespeare is able to convey its power and its impact on human lives.
Another literary device used in Sonnet 49 is imagery. Shakespeare uses vivid images to describe the fear of loss. He describes the young man's face as a "rich jewel," which suggests that the young man is valuable and precious to him. He also refers to the young man's love as a "golden time," which implies that their time together is precious and fleeting.
Finally, Shakespeare uses metaphors to convey the theme of time. He compares time to a "bloody tyrant" and a "stealer," which suggests that time is a force that takes away what is valuable and leaves pain in its wake.
Language
Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet 49 is both powerful and evocative. He uses words and phrases that are rich in meaning and emotion. For example, he describes the young man's face as a "rich jewel," which conveys the idea that the young man is precious and valuable. He also uses the phrase "golden time" to describe the young man's love, which suggests that their time together is fleeting and precious.
In addition, Shakespeare's use of language in Sonnet 49 is marked by its poetic quality. He uses rhyme and meter to create a musical quality to the sonnet. For example, the rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which creates a sense of order and symmetry. He also uses iambic pentameter, which is a poetic meter that consists of five iambs per line. The use of iambic pentameter creates a sense of rhythm and musicality to the sonnet.
Interpretation
So, what is the message that Shakespeare is trying to convey in Sonnet 49? At its core, Sonnet 49 is a meditation on the fear of losing what one holds dear. Shakespeare is expressing his fear that the young man may turn away from him or forget about him. He is also expressing his fear that death may separate them. In doing so, Shakespeare is exploring the universal theme of human mortality and the fear of the unknown.
At the same time, Shakespeare is also exploring the theme of time. He is suggesting that time is a force that takes away what is valuable and leaves pain in its wake. He is also suggesting that time is a force that demands more from us than we are willing to give.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 49 is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of fear, loss, and time. Through the use of literary devices such as personification, imagery, and metaphors, Shakespeare is able to convey the emotional impact of these themes. His use of language is both poetic and musical, creating a sense of rhythm and order to the sonnet. Above all, Sonnet 49 is a meditation on the human condition and the fear of losing what one holds dear. It is a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 49: Against that time, if ever that time come, is a classic poem written by the legendary playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of a series of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, which are considered to be some of the most beautiful and profound pieces of literature in the English language. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet 49 and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unknown person, saying "Against that time, if ever that time come, When I shall see thee frown on my defects." The speaker is referring to a time in the future when the person he is addressing may judge him harshly for his flaws and imperfections. The speaker is worried that this person may turn away from him and reject him because of his shortcomings.
The second line of the poem reads, "When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum," which means that the person the speaker is addressing has already given him their maximum love and affection. The speaker is aware that he has been blessed with the love of this person, but he is also aware that this love may not last forever.
In the third line, the speaker says, "Call to mind that I in thy sweet thoughts would be forgot." Here, the speaker is expressing his fear that the person he is addressing may forget about him and move on to someone else. He is worried that he will be replaced and forgotten.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "If thinking on me then should make thee woe." The speaker is saying that if the person he is addressing does remember him, it may cause them pain and sorrow. The speaker is aware that his flaws and imperfections may cause pain to the person he loves, and he is worried about the consequences of this.
In the fifth line, the speaker says, "Oh, if, I say, you look upon this verse." Here, the speaker is addressing the reader directly, asking them to pay attention to his words. He is asking the reader to understand his fears and anxieties and to empathize with him.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "When I perhaps compounded am with clay." Here, the speaker is referring to his mortality and the fact that he will eventually die and return to the earth. He is saying that when he is dead and buried, the person he loves may forget about him and move on with their life.
In the seventh line, the speaker says, "Do not so much as my poor name rehearse." The speaker is asking the person he loves not to even mention his name after he is gone. He is saying that he would rather be forgotten completely than be remembered with sadness and pain.
In the eighth line of the poem, the speaker says, "But let your love even with my life decay." Here, the speaker is saying that he would rather the person he loves move on with their life and forget about him completely. He is saying that he would rather their love for him decay and disappear than cause them pain and sorrow.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Lest the wise world should look into your moan." Here, the speaker is saying that he does not want the person he loves to be judged by the world for mourning his loss. He is saying that he would rather they move on and find happiness than be judged by others for their grief.
In the final line of the poem, the speaker says, "And mock you with me after I am gone." Here, the speaker is saying that he does not want the person he loves to be mocked or ridiculed for their love for him after he is gone. He is saying that he would rather be forgotten completely than be remembered with pain and ridicule.
Sonnet 49 is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, mortality, and the fear of being forgotten. The speaker is expressing his anxieties and fears about the future and the possibility of being rejected and forgotten by the person he loves. He is aware of his flaws and imperfections and is worried about the consequences of these on his relationship.
The poem is also filled with literary devices that add to its beauty and depth. The use of metaphors, such as "compounded am with clay," adds to the poem's imagery and helps the reader to visualize the speaker's mortality. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "if ever that time come," adds to the poem's rhythm and emphasizes the speaker's fears and anxieties.
In conclusion, Sonnet 49: Against that time, if ever that time come, is a beautiful and profound poem that explores the themes of love, mortality, and the fear of being forgotten. The speaker's anxieties and fears are expressed through the use of powerful imagery and literary devices, making this poem a timeless masterpiece of English literature.
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