'Sonnet CXIV' by William Shakespeare

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Or whether doth my mind, being crown'd with you,
Drink up the monarch's plague, this flattery?
Or whether shall I say, mine eye saith true,
And that your love taught it this alchemy,
To make of monsters and things indigest
Such cherubins as your sweet self resemble,
Creating every bad a perfect best,
As fast as objects to his beams assemble?
O,'tis the first; 'tis flattery in my seeing,
And my great mind most kingly drinks it up:
Mine eye well knows what with his gust is 'greeing,
And to his palate doth prepare the cup:
If it be poison'd, 'tis the lesser sin
That mine eye loves it and doth first begin.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Eternal Beauty of Love in Shakespeare’s Sonnet CXIV

William Shakespeare is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated poets in the English language. His sonnets, in particular, are an exquisite display of his mastery of language, form and themes. One of his most exquisite sonnets is Sonnet CXIV, which explores the timeless beauty of love. In this literary criticism, we will examine the sonnet in depth to reveal the multiple layers of meaning and the enduring relevance of its themes.

Context and Form

Sonnet CXIV is part of Shakespeare’s collection of 154 sonnets, which were first published in 1609. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which is a form of meter that consists of ten syllables per line, with the stress falling on every other syllable. The sonnet consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This is a classic Shakespearean sonnet form, which he uses to great effect to convey his ideas about love and beauty.

Interpretation

The sonnet opens with a question, “Or whether doth my mind, being crowned with you”. Here, Shakespeare is asking whether his mind is elevated or glorified by the presence of his lover, whom he refers to as “you”. The use of the word “crowned” suggests that the lover is a source of power and majesty for the poet. In the second line, Shakespeare answers his own question, “Drink up the monarch's plague, this flattery?” The “monarch’s plague” refers to the disease of flattery, which is a common affliction of those in power. The poet seems to be suggesting that his love for his lover is not a form of flattery or insincere praise, but rather a genuine admiration for their beauty and virtues.

In the third and fourth lines, Shakespeare continues to explore the theme of beauty, “Or whether shall I say mine eye saith true, And that your love taught it this alchemy”. Here, he is asking whether his perception of beauty is accurate, or whether it is his lover’s love that has transformed his perception. The word “alchemy” suggests a transformation or transmutation of base elements into something precious. Shakespeare is suggesting that his lover’s love has transformed his perception of beauty, making him see the world in a different, more beautiful light.

In the fifth and sixth lines, Shakespeare uses a metaphor of a map to describe the transformative power of his lover’s love, “To make of monsters and things indigest, Such cherubins as your sweet self resemble”. The word “cherubins” is used to describe the heavenly creatures that are often depicted in art as having the form of a child with wings. Shakespeare is suggesting that his lover’s love can transform even the most monstrous or indigestible things into something beautiful and angelic, like his lover.

In the seventh and eighth lines, Shakespeare continues with the metaphor of the map, “But fare thee well, most foul, most fair, farewell, Thou pure impiety and impious purity”. Here, the poet is using the metaphor of the map to describe his lover as both “foul” and “fair”. The word “foul” suggests something unpleasant or offensive, while “fair” suggests something beautiful or desirable. Shakespeare is suggesting that his lover is a complex and contradictory figure, both pure and impious, both attractive and repulsive.

In the ninth and tenth lines, Shakespeare uses another metaphor, that of a shadow, to describe the transformative power of his lover’s love, “For thee and for myself no quiet find”. Here, he is suggesting that his lover’s love is like a shadow that follows him everywhere, making it impossible for him to find peace or quiet. The word “shadow” suggests a fleeting, insubstantial presence, something that is hard to grasp or hold on to. Shakespeare is suggesting that his lover’s love is both intangible and all-encompassing, like a force that is constantly present but hard to describe.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines, Shakespeare uses a metaphor of a coin to describe the transformative power of his lover’s love, “This did not so, nor yet the other far, So great a sum of sums thy love did lend me”. The word “coin” suggests a form of currency that can be exchanged for goods or services. Shakespeare is suggesting that his lover’s love is like a currency that has the power to transform even the smallest things into something of great value. The phrase “so great a sum of sums” suggests an accumulation of small things that add up to something significant.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth lines, Shakespeare concludes the sonnet by reaffirming the enduring nature of his love, “That then I scorn to change my state with kings”. Here, he is suggesting that his love is so valuable and precious that he would not trade it for anything, even the power and wealth of a king. The word “scorn” suggests a strong feeling of contempt or disdain, suggesting that the poet would rather remain poor and powerless than give up his love for his lover.

Critical Analysis

Sonnet CXIV is a prime example of Shakespeare’s mastery of language, form and themes. The sonnet is a complex and multi-layered exploration of the transformative power of love, expressed through a series of metaphors and images that are both vivid and evocative. The use of the classic Shakespearean sonnet form allows the poet to convey his ideas with clarity and elegance, while the use of iambic pentameter adds a musical dimension to the poem.

The main theme of the sonnet is the enduring nature of love, and the transformative power that it has on the poet’s perception of the world. Shakespeare explores this theme through a series of metaphors that are both imaginative and inventive. The use of the metaphor of the map, for example, allows the poet to describe his lover as a complex and contradictory figure, both “foul” and “fair”. The metaphor of the shadow, on the other hand, allows the poet to convey the intangible and all-encompassing nature of his lover’s love.

Another important theme in the sonnet is the idea of transformation, expressed through the use of the metaphor of alchemy. Shakespeare suggests that his lover’s love has the power to transform even the most monstrous or indigestible things into something beautiful and angelic, like his lover. This idea of transformation is further reinforced by the use of the metaphor of the coin, which suggests that even the smallest things can be transformed into something of great value.

The language of the sonnet is both rich and evocative, with a range of poetic techniques employed to convey the poet’s ideas. The use of alliteration, for example, is evident in the repetition of the “f” sound in “fair, farewell, foul”, which adds a musical and rhythmic quality to the poem. The use of imagery, such as the metaphor of the map, also adds a vivid and visual dimension to the sonnet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet CXIV is a masterpiece of English literature, showcasing Shakespeare’s unparalleled skill in crafting poetry that explores complex and enduring themes. The sonnet is a testament to the transformative power of love, expressed through a series of vivid and imaginative metaphors and images. The classic Shakespearean sonnet form, combined with the use of iambic pentameter, adds a musical and rhythmic quality to the poem, making it an exquisite example of English poetry. Shakespeare’s Sonnet CXIV is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and delight readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Shakespeare’s Sonnet CXIV is a classic example of the poet’s mastery of the sonnet form. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. Sonnet CXIV is a love poem that explores the theme of time and its effects on love. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem, line by line, to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, “Or whether doth my mind, being crowned with you.” The speaker is questioning whether his mind is “crowned” or adorned with the presence of his beloved. The use of the word “crowned” suggests that the speaker views his beloved as a symbol of royalty or greatness. The use of the word “mind” suggests that the speaker is not referring to physical adornment, but rather the emotional and mental impact that his beloved has on him.

The second line reads, “Drink up the monarch’s plague, this flattery?” Here, the speaker is questioning whether his mind is susceptible to the “plague” of flattery. The use of the word “monarch” suggests that the speaker is referring to the power of his beloved’s beauty and charm. The use of the word “plague” suggests that the speaker is aware of the dangers of flattery and how it can corrupt one’s mind.

The third line reads, “Or whether shall I say, mine eye saith true.” Here, the speaker is questioning whether his own eyes are telling him the truth about his beloved. The use of the word “mine” suggests that the speaker is referring to his own personal experience and perception of his beloved. The use of the word “eye” suggests that the speaker is referring to his physical sight, which is often associated with truth and clarity.

The fourth line reads, “And that your love taught it this alchemy.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his beloved’s love has transformed his perception of reality. The use of the word “alchemy” suggests that the speaker views his beloved’s love as a transformative force that has the power to change his perception of the world.

The fifth line reads, “To make of monsters and things indigest.” Here, the speaker is referring to the transformative power of love and how it can make even the most monstrous and indigestible things beautiful. The use of the word “monsters” suggests that the speaker is referring to the ugliness and imperfections of the world. The use of the word “indigest” suggests that the speaker is referring to the difficulty of accepting and understanding these imperfections.

The sixth line reads, “Such cherubins as your sweet self resemble.” Here, the speaker is comparing his beloved to a cherub, which is a type of angel often associated with love and beauty. The use of the word “resemble” suggests that the speaker views his beloved as an embodiment of love and beauty.

The seventh line reads, “But yet the apprehension of the good.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his perception of his beloved is limited by his own understanding of what is good. The use of the word “apprehension” suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of his own perception and understanding.

The eighth line reads, “Which, albeit bad, hath some good in it.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that even though his perception of his beloved may be flawed, there is still some good in it. The use of the word “albeit” suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of his own perception, but still recognizes the good in his beloved.

The ninth line reads, “As we see in beasts, that men would have them.” Here, the speaker is comparing his own perception of his beloved to the way that humans perceive animals. The use of the word “beasts” suggests that the speaker views his own perception of his beloved as animalistic or primitive.

The tenth line reads, “But they are not with the beast’s will acquainted.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his own perception of his beloved is limited by his own understanding and experience. The use of the word “acquainted” suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of his own understanding and experience.

The eleventh line reads, “Nor know how well the beast’s desires are pent.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his own perception of his beloved is limited by his own desires and emotions. The use of the word “pent” suggests that the speaker is aware of the limitations of his own desires and emotions.

The twelfth line reads, “For know, my love, as easy mayst thou fall.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that his beloved is just as susceptible to the limitations of perception and understanding as he is. The use of the word “fall” suggests that the speaker is aware of the fragility of love and how it can be easily influenced by external factors.

The thirteenth line reads, “A drop of water in the breaking gulf.” Here, the speaker is comparing the fragility of love to a drop of water in a vast ocean. The use of the word “gulf” suggests that the speaker is referring to the vastness and complexity of the world.

The fourteenth and final line reads, “And take unmingled thence that drop again.” Here, the speaker is acknowledging that even though love may be fragile and susceptible to external influences, it is still a powerful force that can transform perception and understanding. The use of the word “unmingled” suggests that the speaker views love as a pure and transformative force.

In conclusion, Shakespeare’s Sonnet CXIV is a powerful love poem that explores the theme of time and its effects on love. The poem is a testament to Shakespeare’s mastery of the sonnet form and his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through language. Through the use of metaphor and imagery, Shakespeare explores the transformative power of love and its ability to change perception and understanding. The poem is a timeless reminder of the power of love and its ability to transcend time and space.

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