'Sonnet 129: Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame' by William Shakespeare
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Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and, till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, bloody full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight,
Past reason hunted, and no sooner had
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad.
Mad in pursuit, and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe,
Before a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
All this the world well knows, yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Darker Side of Desire: A Critical Interpretation of Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare
When it comes to William Shakespeare, we often associate his work with love, romance, and passion. However, in Sonnet 129, Shakespeare explores the darker side of desire, revealing the destructive nature of lust and its impact on the human psyche. In this 14-line poem, Shakespeare delves deep into the human experience, exposing the vulnerability and shame that comes with giving into one's base desires.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's essential to understand the context in which it was written. Sonnet 129 was penned in the late 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During this time, England was undergoing significant social and cultural changes. The country was on the brink of the Renaissance, and new ideas and philosophies were beginning to emerge. However, despite these changes, a strict code of morality was still prevalent in society, and sexuality was often viewed as something taboo and shameful.
It is within this cultural backdrop that Sonnet 129 must be understood. Shakespeare was writing at a time when desire was often repressed, and sexual expression was heavily frowned upon. The poem, therefore, can be seen as a commentary on these societal norms and the impact they had on individuals.
Analysis
The poem begins with the line, "The expense of spirit in a waste of shame." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Shakespeare immediately establishing the idea that desire is costly and degrading. The use of the word "expense" suggests that giving into one's desires is not only financially costly, but also has a significant emotional and mental toll. The phrase "waste of shame" further emphasizes the negative connotations of desire, with Shakespeare suggesting that indulging in one's base desires is a shameful act.
The second line of the poem continues this theme, stating, "Is lust in action." Shakespeare is straightforward in his language, using the word "lust" to describe the desire that he is referencing. The use of this word is significant, as lust is often seen as a negative emotion, associated with sinful and immoral behavior. The idea that lust is "in action" suggests that it is something that people actively engage in, rather than being a passive emotion that they experience.
In the third line of the poem, Shakespeare describes lust as a "though it froze, and were a deed to virtue." This line is particularly interesting, as it can be interpreted in a few different ways. On the surface, Shakespeare is suggesting that lust has the ability to freeze people in their tracks, and that it is something that is hard to resist. However, there is also a deeper meaning to this line, with Shakespeare hinting at the idea that lust can be mistaken for virtue. The use of the word "deed" suggests that there is a sense of action associated with lust, and that people may see it as a positive and virtuous act. However, Shakespeare is quick to point out that this perception is misguided, and that lust is far from virtuous.
In the fourth line of the poem, Shakespeare uses the phrase "keeps it still in frame" to describe the way that lust holds people captive. The word "frame" suggests that lust is something that people are trapped within, unable to escape its grasp. The use of the word "keeps" further emphasizes this idea, with Shakespeare suggesting that people are unable to break free from their desires.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem continue this theme, with Shakespeare stating, "To feed on thoughts that voluntary move, / Harmonious numbers." These lines suggest that people are willingly feeding their desires, choosing to indulge in thoughts that are in line with their base desires. The use of the phrase "voluntary move" suggests that people are actively choosing to engage in these thoughts, rather than being forced into them. The idea of "Harmonious numbers" suggests that these thoughts are pleasing and enjoyable, something that brings people a sense of pleasure and satisfaction.
In the seventh and eighth lines of the poem, Shakespeare begins to turn his focus to the impact that lust has on the mind and body. He writes, "As the soul's aid, proud of their poesy, / Affecting publick honors and proud titles." These lines suggest that people use their desires as a way to boost their own egos, seeking public recognition and accolades. The use of the phrase "soul's aid" suggests that people believe that their desires are helping them in some way, that they are providing a sense of comfort and fulfillment.
However, in the ninth and tenth lines of the poem, Shakespeare reveals the darker side of this desire, stating, "Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars / Unlooked for joy in that I honor most." These lines suggest that Shakespeare himself is unable to indulge in his desires, and that he is missing out on the joy that comes with fulfilling them. The use of the phrase "fortune of such triumph bars" suggests that there is a sense of luck or fate involved in this, that Shakespeare is being prevented from indulging in his desires by external forces.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem continue this theme, with Shakespeare writing, "Great princes' favorites their fair leaves spread, / But as the marigold at the sun's eye." These lines suggest that even those who are able to indulge in their desires are ultimately left unfulfilled, with Shakespeare comparing them to the marigold, which only blooms when the sun is shining directly on it. The use of the phrase "fair leaves spread" suggests that these individuals are able to spread their desires and fulfill them, but that ultimately they are only able to do so under certain circumstances.
In the final two lines of the poem, Shakespeare returns to the idea of shame and degradation, stating, "And in themselves their pride lies buried, / For at a frown they in their glory die." These lines suggest that those who indulge in their desires are ultimately left feeling ashamed and degraded. The use of the phrase "pride lies buried" suggests that these individuals may feel a sense of shame and regret over their actions, burying their pride to avoid confronting their own poor decisions. The final line of the poem, "For at a frown they in their glory die," suggests that even the slightest hint of disapproval or rejection can cause these individuals to crumble, their sense of glory and fulfillment collapsing in on itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of desire. Through his use of language and imagery, Shakespeare exposes the vulnerability and shame that come with indulging in one's base desires. The poem is a warning against the dangers of lust and a reminder that giving into our desires can have significant emotional, mental, and physical consequences. Overall, Sonnet 129 is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-control and the dangers of giving into our most base desires.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 129: Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame is a classic poem written by the legendary playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This sonnet is one of the most famous poems in the English language and is often studied in literature classes around the world. In this article, we will take a detailed look at this masterpiece and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and introduces the central theme of the poem, which is the cost of indulging in sexual desire. The word "expense" refers to the cost of something, and in this case, it refers to the cost of the speaker's spirit. The word "spirit" is used metaphorically to refer to the speaker's soul or inner self. The phrase "waste of shame" refers to the act of engaging in sexual activity, which the speaker considers to be shameful.
The second line of the poem reads, "Is lust in action, and till action, lust." This line is a paradoxical statement that highlights the cyclical nature of lust. The speaker suggests that lust is only lust until it is acted upon, at which point it becomes an action. However, the action of lust only leads to more lust, creating a never-ending cycle.
The third line of the poem reads, "Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame." This line is a list of negative adjectives that describe the nature of lust. The word "perjured" refers to the act of breaking a promise or oath, which the speaker suggests is what happens when one indulges in lust. The words "murderous" and "bloody" suggest that lust is a violent and destructive force. The phrase "full of blame" suggests that those who engage in lust are responsible for their actions and should be held accountable.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust." This line is another list of negative adjectives that describe the nature of lust. The words "savage," "extreme," "rude," and "cruel" all suggest that lust is a wild and uncontrolled force that can lead to destructive behavior. The phrase "not to trust" suggests that lust is unreliable and unpredictable.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Enjoyed no sooner but despised straight." This line suggests that the pleasure of indulging in lust is short-lived and quickly followed by feelings of disgust and regret. The word "enjoyed" suggests that the speaker acknowledges the temporary pleasure that comes with indulging in lust, but the word "despised" suggests that the speaker ultimately sees it as a negative experience.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Past reason hunted, and no sooner had, past reason hated." This line is similar to the previous line in that it suggests that the pursuit of lust is irrational and ultimately leads to negative feelings. The phrase "past reason hunted" suggests that those who engage in lust are driven by their desires rather than reason. The phrase "no sooner had, past reason hated" suggests that the pleasure of indulging in lust is quickly followed by feelings of regret and self-loathing.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "As a swallowed bait, on purpose laid to make the taker mad." This line is a metaphor that compares the act of indulging in lust to taking a bait that is intentionally designed to make the taker go mad. The word "swallowed" suggests that the speaker sees the act of indulging in lust as something that is consumed or taken in. The phrase "on purpose laid" suggests that the bait is intentionally designed to lead to madness.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Mad in pursuit and in possession so." This line suggests that those who engage in lust are driven to madness both in the pursuit of it and in the possession of it. The word "mad" suggests that the speaker sees the pursuit and possession of lust as irrational and destructive.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme." This line suggests that the desire for lust is insatiable and never-ending. The phrase "had, having, and in quest to have" suggests that the speaker sees the pursuit of lust as a never-ending cycle that can never be satisfied.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "A bliss in proof and proved, a very woe." This line is a paradoxical statement that suggests that the pleasure of indulging in lust is both a bliss and a woe. The word "bliss" suggests that the speaker acknowledges the temporary pleasure that comes with indulging in lust, but the word "woe" suggests that the speaker ultimately sees it as a negative experience.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Before, a joy proposed, behind, a dream." This line suggests that the pursuit of lust is based on a false promise of joy and happiness. The phrase "before, a joy proposed" suggests that those who engage in lust are promised joy and happiness, but the phrase "behind, a dream" suggests that these promises are ultimately unattainable and based on false hopes.
The final line of the poem reads, "All this the world well knows, yet none knows well to shun the heaven that leads men to this hell." This line suggests that the destructive nature of lust is well-known, but people continue to indulge in it despite the negative consequences. The phrase "heaven that leads men to this hell" suggests that the pleasure of indulging in lust is like a false promise of heaven that ultimately leads to a hellish experience.
In terms of structure, Sonnet 129 follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet. 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 (ten syllables per line with a stress on every other syllable) gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality.
In terms of literary devices, Sonnet 129 makes use of several techniques to convey its message. The use of paradox (lines 2 and 10) highlights the cyclical nature of lust and the contradictory feelings that come with indulging in it. The use of metaphor (line 7) compares the act of indulging in lust to taking a bait that is intentionally designed to lead to madness. The use of lists of negative adjectives (lines 3-4 and 6) emphasizes the destructive nature of lust. The use of repetition (lines 9-11) emphasizes the insatiable nature of the desire for lust.
In conclusion, Sonnet 129: Th' expense of spirit in a waste of shame is a masterpiece of English literature that explores the destructive nature of lust. Through its use of paradox, metaphor, lists of negative adjectives, repetition, and traditional sonnet form, the poem conveys a powerful message about the cost of indulging in sexual desire. The poem is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of human experience in his writing.
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