'Sonnet XXVII' by William Shakespeare


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Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head,
To work my mind, when body's work's expired:
For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see
Save that my soul's imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,
Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.
Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee and for myself no quiet find.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed"

Sonnet XXVII by William Shakespeare is a poem that explores the theme of love and its enduring effects on the human heart. The poet begins by describing his state of exhaustion after a long day of work, and how he eagerly looks forward to retiring to his bed, where he can rest and forget about his troubles. However, it soon becomes clear that his thoughts are dominated by one particular person, who is the object of his love and desire.

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:
For then my thoughts–from far where I abide–
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
Looking on darkness which the blind do see.
Save that my soul’s imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,
Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.
Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,
For thee and for myself no quiet find.

The poem is divided into two quatrains and a sestet. In the first quatrain, the poet describes how he longs for rest after a day of hard work, but his thoughts refuse to let him sleep. Instead, they embark on a "zealous pilgrimage" to his beloved, who is far away from him. The use of religious imagery here suggests that the poet's love for this person is all-consuming, and that he worships them as if they were a deity.

In the second quatrain, the poet continues to describe how his thoughts keep him awake at night. He imagines his beloved's shadow, which appears to him as a "jewel hung in ghastly night". This metaphor is interesting because it suggests that even in the darkness of night, the poet's love for this person shines brightly and illuminates his thoughts.

The sestet brings a resolution to the poem, but not in the way one might expect. Instead of finding peace and rest, the poet declares that he and his beloved will never find quiet, either for themselves or for each other. This seems to suggest that their love is not a peaceful one, but one that is fraught with tension and longing.

Overall, Sonnet XXVII is a beautiful meditation on the nature of love and its effects on the human heart. The poet's use of vivid imagery and religious metaphors adds depth and complexity to the poem, and his declaration that he and his beloved will never find rest suggests that true love is not always easy or peaceful, but can be tumultuous and all-consuming.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet XXVII by William Shakespeare is a classic example of the poet's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in just fourteen lines. This sonnet, like many others by Shakespeare, explores the theme of love and the power it holds over the human heart.

The sonnet begins with the speaker expressing his desire to forget about his past failures and mistakes. He wishes to leave behind the memories that haunt him and start anew. The opening lines of the sonnet read:

"Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed, The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head To work my mind when body's work's expired:"

The speaker is tired from the toil of the day and seeks rest in his bed. However, his mind is still active, and he begins to reflect on his past mistakes and failures. The use of the word "journey" in the third line suggests that the speaker's thoughts take him on a mental journey, one that is not physical but emotional.

The second quatrain of the sonnet continues the theme of the speaker's desire to forget his past and start anew. He wishes to forget about his past loves and the pain they caused him. The lines read:

"For then my thoughts, from far where I abide, Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee, And keep my drooping eyelids open wide, Looking on darkness which the blind do see:"

The speaker's thoughts take him on a "zealous pilgrimage" to his beloved, whom he hopes will help him forget about his past loves. The use of the word "drooping" in the third line suggests that the speaker is tired and perhaps even depressed. However, he keeps his "eyelids open wide," suggesting that he is determined to overcome his past and move forward.

The third quatrain of the sonnet introduces a new theme: the power of love to heal and renew. The speaker suggests that his beloved has the power to heal his wounded heart and give him a new lease on life. The lines read:

"But, if the while I think on thee, dear friend, All losses are restored and sorrows end."

The use of the word "restored" in the ninth line suggests that the speaker's beloved has the power to bring back what was lost, whether it be his happiness or his sense of self-worth. The use of the word "sorrows" in the same line suggests that the speaker has experienced great pain and suffering in his past, but that his beloved has the power to end that suffering.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings the theme of love full circle. The speaker suggests that his beloved is the source of his happiness and that he is willing to do anything to keep that happiness alive. The lines read:

"If the dull substance of my flesh were thought, Injurious distance should not stop my way; For then despite of space I would be brought, From limits far remote where thou dost stay."

The use of the word "injurious" in the thirteenth line suggests that the speaker sees distance as a barrier to his happiness. However, he is willing to overcome that barrier and be with his beloved, no matter how far away she may be.

In conclusion, Sonnet XXVII by William Shakespeare is a powerful exploration of the theme of love and its ability to heal and renew. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in just fourteen lines. The speaker's desire to forget his past and start anew, his belief in the power of love to heal and renew, and his willingness to overcome any obstacle to be with his beloved are all themes that continue to resonate with readers today.

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