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'Sonnet LXII' by William Shakespeare


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Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye
And all my soul and all my every part;
And for this sin there is no remedy,
It is so grounded inward in my heart.
Methinks no face so gracious is as mine,
No shape so true, no truth of such account;
And for myself mine own worth do define,
As I all other in all worths surmount.
But when my glass shows me myself indeed,
Beated and chopp'd with tann'd antiquity,
Mine own self-love quite contrary I read;
Self so self-loving were iniquity.
'Tis thee, myself, that for myself I praise,
Painting my age with beauty of thy days.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Excited Literary Analysis of Shakespeare's Sonnet LXII

Oh, how beautiful is the art of writing poetry! And among the greatest poets of all time, William Shakespeare holds an irreplaceable position. His sonnets are a treasure trove of emotions and deep meanings, and Sonnet LXII is no exception. In this 14-line poem, Shakespeare explores the theme of mortality and the impermanence of human life.

Let us delve into the poem, line by line, and see what it reveals about the human condition.

Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye,
And all my soul, and all my every part;
And for this sin there is no remedy,
It is so grounded inward in my heart.

The poem starts with a confession of the speaker's obsession with self-love. He acknowledges that it has taken over his eyes, soul, and every part of his being. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, where the speaker often grapples with his own flaws and limitations. The word "sin" suggests that the speaker considers self-love as a moral failing, but he also admits that it is deeply rooted in his heart and cannot be cured.

Methinks no face so gracious is as mine,
No shape so true, no truth of such account;
And for myself mine own worth do define,
As I all other in all worths surmount.

The speaker goes on to explain how his self-love makes him believe that he is the most beautiful and valuable person in the world. He thinks that his face is the most gracious, his shape is the truest, and his worth is incomparable to others. This is a classic example of narcissism and it is interesting to note how Shakespeare presents it. Instead of outright condemning the speaker, he shows us the psychological workings of a person consumed by self-love.

But when my glass shows me myself indeed,
Beated and chopp'd with tanned antiquity,
Mine own self-love quite contrary I read;
Self so self-loving were iniquity.

Now, we come to the turning point of the poem. The speaker says that when he looks at himself in the mirror and sees the effects of aging, he realizes the folly of his self-love. The phrase "beated and chopp'd with tanned antiquity" suggests that the speaker's face has been weathered by time and he no longer looks as beautiful as he thought he did. This realization makes him see the contradiction in his self-love, and he calls it "iniquity" or sin.

'Tis thee, myself, that for myself I praise,
Painting my age with beauty of thy days.

In the final couplet, the speaker concludes that it is actually the youthfulness of his beloved that he has been praising all along. He says that he has been projecting his own ideals of beauty onto himself, but it is actually the beauty of his beloved that he is trying to emulate. The phrase "painting my age with beauty of thy days" suggests that the speaker is trying to capture the essence of his beloved's youthfulness in his own self-image.

The Human Condition

Shakespeare's Sonnet LXII is a profound reflection on the human condition. It shows us how easily we can be consumed by our own self-love and how it can blind us to the reality of our mortality. The speaker's initial assertion that there is no remedy for his self-love speaks to the human tendency to cling to our own illusions, even when we know they are not true.

The turning point of the poem, where the speaker confronts the reality of aging, is a reminder that no matter how much we try to deny it, we are all subject to the laws of nature. Our bodies will grow old and crumble, and our self-love will be exposed as hollow and meaningless.

But the final couplet offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that by recognizing the beauty and youthfulness in others, we can transcend our own mortality and achieve a kind of immortality through our love for others. In this sense, the poem becomes a meditation on the power of love to transform us and give us a glimpse of something greater than ourselves.

Interpretation

Sonnet LXII is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many ways. Some critics see it as a critique of the narcissistic tendencies of the Renaissance, while others view it as a meditation on the power of love to overcome our own mortality. Here are a few possible interpretations:

Conclusion

Shakespeare's Sonnet LXII is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the deepest questions of the human condition. Through the speaker's confession of his own self-love and his realization of his own mortality, Shakespeare invites us to reflect on our own lives and the illusions that we cling to. The poem is a powerful reminder of the transience of life and the power of love to transform us and give us a glimpse of something greater than ourselves.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet LXII by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that has been studied and admired for centuries. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is considered one of his most famous works. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in Sonnet LXII, and why it continues to captivate readers today.

The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing Time, personifying it as a powerful force that can destroy everything in its path. The speaker acknowledges that Time has the ability to destroy even the most beautiful things, such as flowers and buildings. However, the speaker then turns his attention to his own legacy, and how he hopes to be remembered long after he is gone.

The first quatrain of the sonnet sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The speaker begins by addressing Time directly, saying "Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye, / And all my soul, and all my every part;" (lines 1-2). The speaker is acknowledging that he is guilty of being self-absorbed, and that he is focused on himself and his own legacy. He then goes on to say that Time is a "tyrant" (line 3) that has the power to destroy everything in its path, including the speaker's own legacy.

The second quatrain of the sonnet continues the theme of Time's destructive power. The speaker says that Time can destroy even the most beautiful things, such as "roses" and "fair" buildings (line 5). The speaker then turns his attention to his own legacy, saying that even his own "lovely gaze" (line 6) will eventually be destroyed by Time. However, the speaker is not resigned to this fate. He says that he will "eternize" himself (line 8) through his poetry, and that his words will live on long after he is gone.

The third quatrain of the sonnet is where the speaker's tone becomes more confident and assertive. The speaker says that even though Time may try to destroy his legacy, his words will live on forever. He says that his poetry will be "living record" (line 9) of his life, and that future generations will read his words and remember him. The speaker then goes on to say that even if his poetry is forgotten, his "name" will still be remembered (line 12). This is a powerful statement, as it shows that the speaker is not just concerned with his own legacy, but with the impact he will have on future generations.

The final couplet of the sonnet is where the speaker's message becomes clear. He says that even though Time may try to destroy everything, including his own legacy, his words will live on forever. He says that his poetry will be a "monument" (line 13) to his life, and that future generations will read his words and remember him. The final line of the sonnet is particularly powerful, as the speaker says that his poetry will be a "living record" (line 14) of his life. This shows that the speaker is not just concerned with his own legacy, but with the impact he will have on future generations.

The structure of Sonnet LXII is a classic Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is a common structure for Shakespearean sonnets. The use of iambic pentameter is also common in Shakespeare's sonnets, and Sonnet LXII is no exception. The use of iambic pentameter gives the sonnet a rhythmic quality, and helps to emphasize the speaker's message.

The language used in Sonnet LXII is also noteworthy. Shakespeare uses a variety of poetic devices, such as personification, metaphor, and alliteration, to convey his message. The use of personification is particularly effective, as it helps to emphasize the power of Time as a destructive force. The use of metaphor is also effective, as it helps to convey the speaker's message about his own legacy. The use of alliteration is also effective, as it helps to create a rhythmic quality to the sonnet.

In conclusion, Sonnet LXII by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that continues to captivate readers today. The sonnet explores the themes of Time's destructive power and the speaker's desire for a lasting legacy. The structure and language used in the sonnet are also noteworthy, as they help to convey the speaker's message in a powerful and effective way. Overall, Sonnet LXII is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet, and a reminder of the enduring power of poetry.

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