'Sonnet 47: Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took' by William Shakespeare
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Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took,
And each doth good turns now unto the other,
When that mine eye is famished for a look,
Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother,
With my love's picture then my eye doth feast
And to the painted banquet bids my heart;
Another time mine eye is my heart's guest,
And in his thoughts of love doth share a part.
So, either by thy picture or my love,
Thyself, away, art present still with me;
For thou not farther than my thoughts canst move,
And I am still with them, and they with thee;
Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight
Awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took: A Critical Analysis
Sonnet 47 is one of William Shakespeare's most famous and widely read sonnets, and for good reason. It is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the tension between the heart and the eyes, two organs that are often at odds with each other. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of Sonnet 47, examining its structure, themes, and language.
Structure
Sonnet 47 is a classic Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines and following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final rhyming couplet. Each quatrain explores a different aspect of the speaker's relationship with his eyes and heart, while the final couplet provides a conclusion to the poem's argument.
The poem's structure is essential to its meaning. By dividing the poem into four distinct sections, Shakespeare is able to explore the tension between the heart and the eyes in a more nuanced and thoughtful way. Each quatrain builds upon the previous one, creating a sense of momentum and inevitability that leads to the poem's conclusion.
Themes
At its core, Sonnet 47 is a poem about the tension between the heart and the eyes. The speaker begins by describing a "league" that has been "took" between his eyes and heart. This league, or alliance, suggests that the heart and the eyes have formed some sort of agreement, but the rest of the poem reveals that this agreement is not a harmonious one.
In the first quatrain, the speaker describes the "league" between his eyes and heart as a sort of battle. The eyes have sworn allegiance to the heart, but they are not entirely happy about it. The speaker describes his eyes as "rebellious subjects" who are "ranging" against the heart's "dominion." This language creates a sense of conflict and tension, suggesting that the heart and eyes are not working together as a team.
In the second quatrain, the speaker explores the idea that the eyes and heart are at odds with each other because they have different goals. The eyes are focused on the external world, while the heart is focused on the internal world of emotions. The speaker describes the eyes as "the outward part of thee" and the heart as "the inward love." This language suggests that the eyes and heart are two separate entities, each with their own agenda.
In the final quatrain, the speaker explores the idea that the eyes and heart are not always in sync with each other. The eyes may see something beautiful, but the heart may not respond to it in the same way. The speaker describes this phenomenon as "judgement" and "taste," suggesting that the eyes and heart have different standards for what is beautiful and worthwhile.
Language
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 47 is its use of language. Shakespeare uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of tension and conflict between the heart and the eyes. For example, the poem is full of antithesis, or contrasting ideas. The heart and eyes are described as "two powers" that are "divided in thy [the speaker's] breast." The eyes are described as "rebellious subjects" who are "ranging" against the heart's "dominion." These contrasting ideas create a sense of tension and conflict that runs throughout the poem.
Shakespeare also uses metaphor and imagery to explore the tension between the heart and the eyes. The eyes are described as "outward" and the heart as "inward," creating a sense of distance and separation between the two. The eyes are also described as "windows" that allow the heart to see the world, but these windows are "false" and "betray" the heart. This language creates a sense of betrayal and mistrust between the heart and the eyes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 47 is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the tension between the heart and the eyes. Through its structure, themes, and language, Shakespeare creates a sense of conflict and tension that runs throughout the poem. The heart and eyes are described as two separate entities, each with their own goals and desires. This tension is ultimately resolved in the final couplet, where the speaker suggests that the heart and eyes must work together to achieve a greater understanding of the world. Sonnet 47 is a timeless exploration of the human experience, and its themes remain relevant today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 47: Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful and complex piece of literature that explores the relationship between the heart and the eyes. In this article, we will analyze and explain this sonnet in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the line, "Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took." The word "betwixt" means "between," and "league" means "an agreement or alliance." So, the first line of the poem is saying that there is an agreement or alliance between the speaker's eyes and heart. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the relationship between the eyes and the heart.
The second line of the poem reads, "And each doth good turns now unto the other." This line suggests that the eyes and the heart are working together, each doing good things for the other. The eyes see things that the heart desires, and the heart feels things that the eyes see. This line also suggests that the relationship between the eyes and the heart is a reciprocal one, with each giving and receiving from the other.
The third line of the poem reads, "When that mine eye is famished for a look." This line suggests that the eyes are hungry for something to look at, something to desire. The word "famished" implies a deep hunger, a craving that cannot be satisfied. This line also suggests that the eyes are not satisfied with what they have, that they are always looking for something more.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother." This line suggests that the heart is in love, but that it is suppressing its feelings. The word "smother" implies that the heart is hiding its feelings, that it is not expressing them openly. This line also suggests that the heart is in pain, that it is suffering because it cannot express its love openly.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "With my love's picture then my eye doth feast." This line suggests that the speaker's eyes find pleasure in looking at a picture of the person they love. The word "feast" implies that the eyes are satisfied, that they are enjoying what they see. This line also suggests that the speaker's love is not present, that they are separated from the person they love.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "And to the painted banquet bids my heart." This line suggests that the speaker's heart is also finding pleasure in the picture of their love. The word "banquet" implies a feast, a celebration, and suggests that the heart is also satisfied. This line also suggests that the heart is not present, that it is also separated from the person it loves.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Another time mine eye is my heart's guest." This line suggests that sometimes the eyes are satisfied by looking at the person they love. The word "guest" implies that the eyes are being entertained, that they are enjoying the company of the person they love. This line also suggests that the eyes and the heart are not always in agreement, that sometimes the eyes are satisfied while the heart is not.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "And in his thoughts of love doth share a part." This line suggests that the heart is also finding pleasure in thinking about the person they love. The word "share" implies that the heart and the eyes are working together, that they are both finding pleasure in the same thing. This line also suggests that the heart is not always satisfied, that sometimes it needs the eyes to help it find pleasure.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "So either by thy picture or my love." This line suggests that the eyes and the heart are both finding pleasure in the same thing, whether it is a picture or the person they love. The word "either" implies that it doesn't matter what they are looking at, as long as they are finding pleasure in it. This line also suggests that the eyes and the heart are working together, that they are both finding pleasure in the same thing.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "Thyself away art present still with me." This line suggests that even when the person the speaker loves is not present, they are still with them in their thoughts and feelings. The word "present" implies that the person is not physically present, but that they are still there in some way. This line also suggests that the speaker's love is strong, that it can survive even when the person they love is not there.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "For thou not farther than my thoughts canst move." This line suggests that the person the speaker loves cannot move farther away than their thoughts. The word "thoughts" implies that the person is always with the speaker, even if they are not physically present. This line also suggests that the speaker's love is strong, that it can survive even when the person they love is far away.
The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "And I am still with them, and they with me." This line suggests that the speaker and the person they love are always together, even when they are apart. The word "still" implies that nothing can separate them, that their love is strong enough to overcome any distance. This line also suggests that the speaker's love is deep and true, that it can survive anything.
In terms of structure, Sonnet 47 follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form. It consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of ten syllables per line, gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize the themes of love and desire.
In terms of language, Sonnet 47 is rich in metaphor and imagery. The use of the word "feast" in line five, for example, suggests that the eyes are finding pleasure in looking at a picture of the person they love. The use of the word "banquet" in line six suggests that the heart is also finding pleasure in the same thing. The use of the word "smother" in line four suggests that the heart is suppressing its feelings, that it is not expressing them openly.
Overall, Sonnet 47: Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the relationship between the eyes and the heart. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, it suggests that the eyes and the heart are working together, each doing good things for the other. It also suggests that the relationship between the eyes and the heart is a reciprocal one, with each giving and receiving from the other. The poem's structure and language give it a musical quality that emphasizes the themes of love and desire. Sonnet 47 is a classic poem that has stood the test of time, and it continues to be studied and appreciated by readers and scholars around the world.
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