Day: October 7, 2024

Introduction:”Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

“Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser first appeared in 1595 as part of the Amoretti and Epithalamion collection. This sonnet is renowned for its exquisite language, intricate imagery, and profound exploration of love and immortality. The poem’s central idea revolves around the poet’s desire to immortalize his beloved’s name through his writing, suggesting that love and art can transcend time and death.

Text: “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

Annotations: “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

Line	Annotation
1. One day I wrote her name upon the strand	The speaker describes a romantic gesture, writing his beloved’s name on the beach, symbolizing the act of capturing something ephemeral.
2. But came the waves and washed it away:	The waves represent the inevitability of nature and time, which erases the writing, indicating the transient nature of life and human efforts.
3. Again I wrote it with a second hand,	The speaker is persistent, rewriting the name, showing his determination to immortalize his beloved.
4. But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.	Once again, nature (the tide) erases the name, symbolizing the futility of trying to achieve immortality through earthly means.
5. “Vain man,” said she, “that dost in vain assay,	The woman speaks, calling the speaker’s attempts vain, and reminding him of the inevitable failure of trying to preserve mortality.
6. A mortal thing so to immortalize;	She challenges the notion of immortalizing a mortal being, indicating that earthly things cannot escape the natural cycle of decay.
7. For I myself shall like to this decay,	The woman acknowledges her own mortality, comparing herself to the fading name written on the sand.
8. And eke my name be wiped out likewise.”	She extends the metaphor, stating that just as the waves wiped away her name, she too will eventually be forgotten by time.
9. “Not so,” (quod I) “let baser things devise	The speaker counters, suggesting that common or lesser things may succumb to decay, but not something as special as his love.
10. To die in dust, but you shall live by fame:	He asserts that while ordinary things may die and be forgotten, his beloved will live on through fame, particularly through his poetry.
11. My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,	The speaker believes that his poetry will immortalize her virtues, preserving her name and essence for future generations.
12. And in the heavens write your glorious name:	He claims that her name will be written in the heavens, an indication of her spiritual elevation and eternal remembrance.
13. Where whenas death shall all the world subdue,	The speaker acknowledges death’s universal power over the world, yet still believes their love will transcend it.
14. Our love shall live, and later life renew.”	In the concluding line, the speaker expresses confidence that their love will be immortal and will be revived or remembered in future life.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

Device	Explanation	Usage in the Poem
Alliteration	The repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.	“But came the waves and washed it away” (line 2) – The repetition of the “w” sound creates a musical quality.
Allusion	A reference to a person, place, event, or another literary work.	The mention of “heavens” (line 12) is an allusion to the afterlife or the divine realm, suggesting her name will be remembered eternally.
Anaphora	The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.	“But came the waves… But came the tide” (lines 2, 4) – Repetition of “But came” emphasizes the persistence of nature’s forces.
Apostrophe	Addressing an absent person, an abstract idea, or an object as if it were present or alive.	The speaker addresses his beloved (who is not literally present in the poem), as well as “death” in line 13, giving it human qualities.
Assonance	The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.	“Again I wrote it with a second hand” (line 3) – The “a” sound is repeated, enhancing the rhythm of the line.
Caesura	A pause in the middle of a line of verse, often indicated by punctuation.	“Not so,” (quod I) “let baser things devise” (line 9) – The pause after “Not so” creates a dramatic effect.
Consonance	The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity, particularly at the end of words.	“My pains his prey” (line 4) – The repetition of the “p” sound ties the words together, creating a harsh tone to convey struggle.
Dialogue	The use of conversation between two characters.	The poem includes a dialogue between the speaker and his beloved, beginning in line 5 (“Vain man,” said she…) and continuing until line 14.
End-Stopped Line	A line of poetry that concludes with a pause, often signified by punctuation like a period or comma.	“And eke my name be wiped out likewise.” (line 8) – The line concludes with a period, emphasizing the finality of the statement.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break without a pause.	“One day I wrote her name upon the strand, / But came the waves and washed it away” (lines 1-2) – The idea flows across the line break without punctuation.
Hyperbole	Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect.	“And in the heavens write your glorious name” (line 12) – The idea of writing a name in the heavens is an exaggeration meant to signify eternal fame.
Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, etc.).	The imagery of writing a name on the beach and waves washing it away creates a vivid visual scene, representing impermanence (lines 1-4).
Irony	A contrast between expectation and reality.	The beloved dismisses the speaker’s efforts as futile, but the irony lies in the fact that the poem itself immortalizes her as he intended (lines 5-6).
Metaphor	A direct comparison between two unlike things, saying one is the other.	The tide is metaphorically described as “mak[ing] my pains his prey” (line 4), comparing the waves to a predator that consumes the speaker’s efforts.
Metonymy	A figure of speech in which one thing is represented by another that is closely associated with it.	“The heavens” (line 12) is used as a metonym for eternity or the afterlife, where the beloved’s name will be remembered.
Personification	Attributing human characteristics to non-human things.	The waves are personified as actively “washing” and “preying” on the speaker’s efforts (lines 2 and 4).
Rhyme Scheme	The ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem.	The poem follows an ABAB BCBC rhyme scheme, typical of Spenserian sonnets.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning.	The waves symbolize the passage of time and the inevitable erasure of human effort, while the act of writing represents the desire to immortalize love (lines 1-4).
Tone	The attitude or mood conveyed by the poem.	The tone shifts from melancholic (the inevitability of decay) to triumphant (immortalizing love through poetry) as the speaker challenges mortality (lines 1-14).
Volta	A shift in the poem’s theme or tone, often occurring in sonnets.	The volta occurs in line 9, where the speaker shifts from acknowledging mortality to proclaiming that his poetry will grant eternal life to his beloved.

Themes: “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

• Theme 1: The Ephemeral Nature of Love and Life: The poem begins by illustrating the transience of both love and life. The poet writes his beloved’s name on the sand, only for the waves to erase it. This imagery symbolizes the impermanence of human existence and the fragility of love. The beloved’s response, “For I myself shall like to this decay,” reinforces this theme, suggesting that even she, a beautiful and immortalized figure, will eventually succumb to the passage of time.
• Theme 2: The Power of Art to Immortalize: In contrast to the fleeting nature of life, the poet asserts the enduring power of art. He argues that by writing his beloved’s name in verse, he can immortalize her and their love. This theme is encapsulated in the lines, “My verse your vertues rare shall eternize, / And in the heavens write your glorious name.” The poet believes that through his poetry, he can transcend the limitations of mortality and ensure that his beloved’s memory will live on.
• Theme 3: The Triumph of Love Over Death: The poem concludes with a hopeful vision of love triumphing over death. The poet suggests that while death may eventually conquer the physical world, their love will endure. This theme is conveyed in the final lines, “Where whenas death shall all the world subdue, / Our love shall live, and later life renew.” The poet expresses a belief in the eternal nature of love, suggesting that it can transcend even the most fundamental aspects of human existence.
• Theme 4: The Poet’s Dedication to His Beloved: Throughout the poem, the poet expresses a deep and unwavering dedication to his beloved. His desire to immortalize her name and their love reflects a profound commitment to preserving their relationship. This theme is evident in the poet’s persistence despite the challenges posed by the natural world and the inevitability of death.

Literary Theories and “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser 

Literary Theory	Key Concepts	Application to the Poem	References
New Criticism	Close reading, textual analysis, focus on the poem’s internal structure and language	The poem’s intricate imagery and symbolism, such as the waves erasing the poet’s writing, contribute to its overall meaning and theme of the impermanence of life and love.	“But came the waves and washed it away”
Deconstruction	Challenges the notion of a fixed meaning, explores underlying contradictions and ambiguities	The poem’s tension between the desire for immortality and the inevitability of decay creates a deconstructive reading, highlighting the impossibility of fully escaping the limitations of time and mortality.	“Again I wrote it with a second hand, / But came the tide, and made my pains his prey”
Feminist Criticism	Examines gender roles, power dynamics, and representations of women in literature	While the poem is addressed to a woman, it can be analyzed through a feminist lens to explore how the beloved is portrayed and whether she is given agency or is merely an object of the poet’s desire.	“Vain man,” said she, “that dost in vain assay, / A mortal thing so to immortalize”

Critical Questions about “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

• How does Spenser explore the theme of mortality in the sonnet?
• In “Amoretti LXXV”, Spenser grapples with the theme of mortality by illustrating the transient nature of life through the act of writing his beloved’s name on the beach, only for the waves to wash it away. This imagery highlights the inevitable decay that time imposes on all things, including human life and memory: “But came the waves and washed it away” (line 2). His beloved acknowledges this reality, telling the speaker, “A mortal thing so to immortalize” (line 6), stressing that it is impossible to make mortal life eternal. This pessimistic view of mortality is challenged by the speaker, who believes that through his poetry, he can defy time and preserve her name and virtues. The juxtaposition between the physical impermanence of her name and the promise of immortality through verse highlights the tension between mortality and the human desire for lasting remembrance.
• In what way does the poem reflect the Renaissance ideal of eternal fame through art?
• The poem strongly reflects the Renaissance ideal that art, particularly poetry, has the power to grant eternal life. Spenser, writing during the Renaissance, adheres to the belief that while physical life may perish, artistic expression can immortalize a person or event. In line 11, the speaker claims, “My verse your vertues rare shall eternize,” suggesting that his poetic composition will capture and preserve his beloved’s essence for future generations. The Renaissance emphasis on human achievement and the capacity of art to transcend time is evident in the speaker’s conviction that his poetry will inscribe his beloved’s name “in the heavens” (line 12), symbolizing her eternal place in the universe. The idea of transcending death through art aligns with the Renaissance humanist view of the artist as a creator of timeless works that defy the boundaries of mortality.
• What role does nature play in the poem, and how does it contribute to its themes?
• Nature, represented by the waves and tide, plays a central role in “Amoretti LXXV” as a force that symbolizes the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The waves “washed it away” (line 2), and the tide “made my pains his prey” (line 4), serving as metaphors for time’s relentless ability to erase human achievements and memories. The constant movement of the waves mirrors the inevitability of decay and death, emphasizing the frailty of human life and efforts. However, nature’s role is contrasted with the speaker’s belief in poetry’s ability to defy this natural cycle. While the natural world may obliterate physical traces, the speaker argues that his verse can withstand these forces and preserve his beloved’s name. Thus, nature in the poem underscores the conflict between time and the speaker’s desire for eternal remembrance through art.
• How does the dialogue between the speaker and his beloved shape the poem’s argument?
• The dialogue between the speaker and his beloved is crucial to the development of the poem’s argument, as it presents opposing views on the nature of mortality and immortality. The beloved’s words, “Vain man” (line 5), represent a rational acceptance of the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to preserve mortal things. She reminds the speaker that “I myself shall like to this decay” (line 7), implying that, just like the writing on the sand, she too will fade. This argument embodies a stoic realism, grounded in the acknowledgment of life’s impermanence. In response, the speaker counters with an idealistic belief in the power of poetry to transcend death. He claims that “my verse your vertues rare shall eternize” (line 11), proposing that while her physical body may decay, her memory will live on through his writing. This exchange sets up a tension between realism and idealism, with the speaker ultimately asserting that love and art can triumph over death.

Literary Works Similar to “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

• “Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” by William Shakespeare
• Similarity: Like Spenser’s sonnet, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 explores the theme of immortalizing a beloved through poetry. Shakespeare, too, believes that verse has the power to preserve beauty and love beyond the decay of time.
• “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
• Similarity: Shelley’s “Ozymandias” similarly reflects on the transient nature of human achievements and how time erases even the greatest monuments, paralleling Spenser’s meditation on how earthly things are washed away, despite human attempts at permanence.
• “Sonnet 55: Not marble, nor the gilded monuments” by William Shakespeare
• Similarity: In this sonnet, Shakespeare, much like Spenser, asserts that poetry has the power to outlast physical monuments and ensure that the memory of a beloved remains eternal, despite the inevitable destruction of time.
• “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats
• Similarity: Keats’s ode shares the theme of immortality through art with Spenser’s sonnet. Both works contemplate how art can capture moments and emotions, preserving them beyond the limits of life and time.
• “When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be” by John Keats
• Similarity: Keats, like Spenser, explores the fear of mortality and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. Both poems reflect on the potential of poetry to grant immortality in a world where human life is fleeting.

Representative Quotations of “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“One day I wrote her name upon the strand”	The poem begins with the poet writing his beloved’s name on the beach.	New Criticism: This imagery sets the stage for the poem’s exploration of mortality and the transience of love.
“But came the waves and washed it away”	The waves erase the poet’s writing, symbolizing the impermanence of life and love.	Deconstruction: This image highlights the inherent contradiction between the poet’s desire for immortality and the inevitable forces of nature.
“Again I wrote it with a second hand”	The poet tries to rewrite his beloved’s name, demonstrating his persistence in preserving her memory.	Feminist Criticism: While the poem is addressed to a woman, this line can be interpreted as the poet’s attempt to control or possess her through his writing.
“But came the tide, and made my pains his prey”	The tide erases the poet’s second attempt, reinforcing the theme of the futility of his efforts.	New Criticism: This image contributes to the poem’s overall tone of despair and melancholy.
“Vain man,” said she, “that dost in vain assay, / A mortal thing so to immortalize”	The beloved responds to the poet’s attempts, suggesting that his efforts are futile.	Feminist Criticism: This line suggests that the beloved may be aware of the poet’s objectification and is challenging his assumptions.
“For I myself shall like to this decay”	The beloved acknowledges her own mortality, further emphasizing the theme of the impermanence of life.	Deconstruction: This line reinforces the deconstructive reading of the poem, highlighting the impossibility of escaping death and decay.
“Not so,” (quod I) “let baser things devise / To die in dust, but you shall live by fame”	The poet argues that through his poetry, he can immortalize his beloved.	New Criticism: This line expresses the poet’s belief in the power of art to transcend mortality.
“My verse your vertues rare shall eternize”	The poet asserts that his poetry will preserve his beloved’s memory.	Deconstruction: This line can be read as a contradictory statement, as it suggests that the poet believes he can overcome the limitations of language and time.
“And in the heavens write your glorious name”	The poet envisions his beloved’s name being written in the heavens, symbolizing her eternal fame.	New Criticism: This image creates a sense of hope and transcendence, contrasting with the earlier images of loss and decay.
“Where whenas death shall all the world subdue, / Our love shall live, and later life renew”	The poet suggests that their love will endure beyond death.	Deconstruction: This final line can be seen as a hopeful affirmation of love’s power, but it also raises questions about the nature of love and its ability to truly transcend mortality.

Suggested Readings: “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name” by Edmund Spenser

1. Araujo, Laura Ribeiro. “The Crisscrossing of Time in Spenser’s Amoretti LXXV and Shakespeare’s Sonnet XVIII.” Indonesian Journal of English Language Studies (IJELS) 8.2 (2022): 62-70.
2. BATES, CATHERINE. “The Politics of Spenser’s ‘Amoretti.’” Criticism, vol. 33, no. 1, 1991, pp. 73–89. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23113624. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.
3. Johnson, William C. “Spenser’s Amoretti and the Art of the Liturgy.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 14, no. 1, 1974, pp. 47–61. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/449682. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Introduction: “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

“Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare first appeared in 1609 in the collection of sonnets. The sonnet is characterized by its melancholic tone and the speaker’s longing for his beloved. The main idea of the sonnet is the speaker’s regret and sadness over being absent from his lover during the beautiful spring season.

Text: “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

Annotations: “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

Line	Text	Annotation
1	From you have I been absent in the spring,	The speaker expresses absence from the beloved during springtime.
2	When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim,	April, a symbol of spring, is described as colorful and adorned.
3	Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,	Springtime brings vitality and rejuvenation to everything.
4	That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him.	Even the serious Saturn (associated with time and limitations) rejoices.
5	Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell	Despite the beauty of nature, the speaker remains unmoved.
6	Of different flowers in odour and in hue,	The speaker describes the variety of flowers in scent and color.
7	Could make me any summer’s story tell,	The speaker is unable to find joy or meaning in the summer.
8	Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew:	The speaker is uninterested in even picking the flowers.
9	Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white,	The speaker does not admire the beauty of the lily.
10	Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;	The speaker does not appreciate the beauty of the rose.
11	They were but sweet, but figures of delight	The flowers are merely pleasant but lack true meaning.
12	Drawn after you, – you pattern of all those.	The flowers are mere imitations of the beloved.
13	Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away,	Without the beloved, the speaker feels it is still winter.
14	As with your shadow I with these did play.	The speaker compares playing with the flowers to playing with the beloved’s shadow.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

Device	Definition	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds	“When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim”	The repetition of the “p” sound creates a rhythmic effect, emphasizing the imagery of spring.
Allusion	Reference to another work, person, or event	“That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him”	Saturn is a reference to the Roman god, symbolizing melancholy, contrasting with the joy of spring.
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of clauses	“Nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell”	Repeating “Nor” highlights the speaker’s disconnection from nature.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds	“When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim”	The “i” sound in “pied” and “trim” adds a harmonious effect that reflects the season’s beauty.
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the end of words	“Drawn after you, – you pattern of all those”	The “n” sound in “Drawn” and “pattern” connects the words musically, linking ideas.
Enjambment	Continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line	“Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away,”	The sentence flows into the next line, enhancing the speaker’s reflective tone.
Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements	“That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him”	This exaggeration of Saturn “laughing and leaping” emphasizes the joyfulness of spring.
Imagery	Descriptive language appealing to the senses	“Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose”	“Deep vermilion” vividly appeals to the sense of sight, evoking the rich color of the rose.
Metaphor	A direct comparison between two things	“You pattern of all those”	The speaker compares the beloved to a “pattern,” meaning they are the ideal model of beauty.
Personification	Attributing human characteristics to non-human things	“Hath put a spirit of youth in everything”	Spring is personified as placing youth and energy into the world.
Quatrain	A stanza of four lines	First four lines of the poem	The poem follows the quatrain structure, typical of Shakespearean sonnets, providing a rhythmic form.
Refrain	A repeated line or group of lines	“Nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell”	Repeated phrases like “nor” create a refrain-like effect, emphasizing the speaker’s emotional state.
Rhyme	Correspondence of sound between words	“Trim – him; hue – grew”	The rhyme enhances the musical quality and creates a sense of closure in each quatrain.
Simile	A comparison using “like” or “as”	“As with your shadow I with these did play”	The speaker compares interacting with nature to playing with a shadow, indicating a lack of true engagement.
Sonnet	A poem of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme	The entire poem	The poem follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Symbolism	Use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities beyond the literal sense	“The lily’s white”	The lily symbolizes purity, which the speaker fails to appreciate in the absence of the beloved.
Tone	The general attitude or mood of the poem	The speaker’s melancholic reflection	The poem’s tone reflects sadness and longing as the speaker feels disconnected from the beauty of spring.
Iambic Pentameter	A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short syllable followed by a long syllable	“From you have I been absent in the spring,”	This line follows the iambic pentameter, a rhythmic structure typical of Shakespeare’s sonnets.
Volta	The turn of thought or argument in a sonnet	“Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away,”	This line marks a shift in tone, from describing spring to the speaker’s inner sense of winter.
Synecdoche	A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole	“Proud lap pluck them where they grew”	“Lap” is used to represent the earth as a whole, emphasizing the connection between nature and the speaker.

Themes: “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

1. Absence and Longing: The central theme of the sonnet is the speaker’s emotional disconnection from the joys of spring due to the absence of the beloved. The speaker’s inability to appreciate the beauty of the season is evident in lines such as, “Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white, / Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose” (lines 9-10). The absence creates a deep sense of longing, as the speaker feels isolated from the vibrancy of life that surrounds him, underscoring the emotional weight of separation.
2. The Power of Love: Another significant theme is the transformative power of love. The speaker suggests that his experience of beauty, joy, and even nature itself is deeply tied to the presence of the beloved. Despite the arrival of spring, a season of renewal and youth, the speaker remarks, “Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away, / As with your shadow I with these did play” (lines 13-14). This suggests that love not only influences the speaker’s emotions but also his perception of the world, with everything seeming cold and lifeless without the beloved.
3. Nature and Beauty: The sonnet explores the relationship between nature and beauty, with the speaker reflecting on the splendor of spring — “When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim, / Hath put a spirit of youth in everything” (lines 2-3). However, he paradoxically finds no joy in it because, for him, the beloved is the embodiment of all beauty. The speaker cannot appreciate the vibrant colors and sweet smells of the flowers because they are mere reflections of the beloved, described as the “pattern of all those” (line 12), emphasizing that the beloved surpasses all natural beauty.
4. Time and Seasons: The contrast between spring and winter highlights the theme of time, particularly in relation to emotional states. Spring typically symbolizes rebirth, growth, and vitality, while winter often represents death or dormancy. The speaker, however, feels stuck in an emotional “winter” despite the arrival of spring, symbolizing how time and seasons can be experienced differently based on one’s internal emotional state. The reference to “heavy Saturn” (line 4), the Roman god associated with time, reinforces the idea that time feels burdensome and joyless in the beloved’s absence.

Literary Theories and “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

Literary Theory	Application to “Sonnet 98”	References from the Sonnet
Psychoanalytic Theory	This theory, based on Freud’s ideas, explores the speaker’s inner emotional conflict and unconscious desires. The sonnet reflects a sense of emotional repression, as the speaker is unable to connect with the joys of spring, which may suggest deep psychological attachment to the beloved.	The speaker’s statement, “Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white, / Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose” (lines 9-10), reveals his inability to experience external beauty, symbolizing emotional detachment or sublimated desire for the beloved.
New Criticism	Focuses on close reading of the text, emphasizing formal elements like imagery, structure, and metaphor. In this approach, the sonnet’s careful use of form, rhyme, and metaphor highlights the emotional depth of the speaker’s experience.	The structured rhyme scheme (ABAB) and use of metaphor, such as “You pattern of all those” (line 12), emphasize the beloved as the ideal form of beauty and order in the speaker’s emotional and aesthetic world.
Ecocriticism	This theory examines the relationship between literature and the natural world. The sonnet can be viewed as exploring the speaker’s disconnection from nature, reflecting on how human emotions shape one’s interaction with the environment.	Despite the lush imagery of spring, such as “When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim” (line 2), the speaker cannot appreciate nature’s beauty due to his emotional state, showing the influence of human emotions on one’s perception of the natural world.

Critical Questions about “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

1. How does the speaker’s emotional state affect his perception of nature in the sonnet?
   The speaker’s emotional state dramatically alters how he perceives the natural world. Although it is spring, a time traditionally associated with beauty and renewal, the speaker feels detached from its vibrancy because of the absence of the beloved. This is expressed in lines like, “Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white, / Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose” (lines 9-10). The speaker’s lack of enthusiasm for these typically admired features of nature reflects his inner desolation and longing. His emotional state transforms the beauty of spring into something mundane, suggesting that his appreciation for nature is contingent upon the presence of the beloved.
2. Why does the speaker compare the absence of the beloved to winter despite it being spring?
   The speaker compares the absence of the beloved to winter to highlight the emotional coldness and barrenness he feels without them. While nature is in full bloom during spring, the speaker feels no warmth or joy, stating, “Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away” (line 13). This comparison emphasizes the dissonance between the external world and the speaker’s inner experience. Though the season is one of renewal and growth, the speaker’s heart remains frozen, illustrating how love profoundly shapes his perception of time and seasons.
3. What is the significance of the reference to Saturn in the sonnet?
   The reference to Saturn in line 4—“That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him”—is significant as it brings a symbolic layer of time and melancholy to the sonnet. Saturn, the Roman god associated with time and age, is often linked with somberness and reflection. By stating that even Saturn laughed and leaped during spring, the speaker highlights the stark contrast between the season’s natural exuberance and his own sadness. The reference to Saturn underscores the weight of time on the speaker, suggesting that in the absence of the beloved, even time feels oppressive and joyless.
4. How does Shakespeare use imagery to contrast the speaker’s emotions with the setting of spring?
   Shakespeare uses rich imagery throughout the sonnet to contrast the speaker’s emotional emptiness with the flourishing beauty of spring. The detailed description of spring, with phrases like “proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim” (line 2) and “different flowers in odour and in hue” (line 6), paints a vivid picture of nature in full bloom. However, the speaker remains unaffected by these sensory delights, stating, “Could make me any summer’s story tell” (line 7). The contrast between the colorful, lively imagery of spring and the speaker’s emotional detachment emphasizes how deeply his feelings for the absent beloved influence his entire experience of the world, rendering beauty meaningless without their presence.

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

1. “Bright Star” by John Keats
   Both poems explore themes of longing and an intense emotional connection to a loved one, with nature serving as a backdrop to personal feelings.
2. “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron
   Like Shakespeare’s sonnet, this poem celebrates the beauty of a beloved, drawing comparisons between the beloved and natural elements.
3. “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats
   Keats, like Shakespeare, contrasts nature’s beauty with the speaker’s emotional turmoil and sense of disconnection from life’s joys.
4. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns
   Burns’ poem shares a theme of comparing the beloved to elements of nature, emphasizing the lover’s deep affection and connection to beauty.
5. “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W.B. Yeats
   Similar to Shakespeare’s exploration of seasonal changes, Yeats reflects on the passage of time and the speaker’s longing for a sense of emotional fulfillment.

Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective	References from the Sonnet
“From you have I been absent in the spring”	The speaker begins by lamenting their physical and emotional separation from the beloved.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Highlights the speaker’s inner conflict and longing.	Line 1
“When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim”	The speaker describes the lively and colorful spring, symbolizing nature’s renewal.	Ecocriticism: Illustrates the natural world’s vibrancy, but the speaker remains detached.	Line 2
“Hath put a spirit of youth in everything”	Spring’s energy revitalizes the natural world, creating an atmosphere of rejuvenation.	New Criticism: Focuses on the metaphor of spring’s youthfulness and its contrast with the speaker’s mood.	Line 3
“That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him”	Even the typically melancholic figure of Saturn is described as joyful in spring.	Classical Allusion & Psychoanalytic Theory: Saturn, as a symbol of time and melancholy, contrasts with the joy of spring.	Line 4
“Nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell”	The speaker lists sensory delights of spring, but remains emotionally unaffected by them.	Psychoanalytic Theory: The speaker’s emotional numbness reflects inner conflict.	Line 5
“Of different flowers in odour and in hue”	Nature’s diversity and beauty are described, with emphasis on the sensory richness of spring.	Ecocriticism: Highlights nature’s flourishing, contrasting with the speaker’s disconnection.	Line 6
“Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose”	The speaker acknowledges the beauty of the rose but cannot appreciate it without the beloved.	New Criticism: Symbolism of the rose as a representation of beauty the speaker cannot fully experience.	Line 10
“You pattern of all those”	The beloved is described as the model of all beauty, surpassing nature itself.	Psychoanalytic Theory & New Criticism: The beloved is idealized, becoming the speaker’s emotional and aesthetic focus.	Line 12
“Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away”	Despite the arrival of spring, the speaker feels as though it remains winter in the beloved’s absence.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Emotional detachment shapes perception of time and seasons.	Line 13
“As with your shadow I with these did play”	The speaker interacts with the beauty of spring as though it is a mere shadow of the beloved.	New Criticism: The metaphor of the shadow emphasizes the speaker’s inability to engage with nature without the beloved.	Line 14

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 98: From You Have I Been Absent in The Spring” by William Shakespeare

1. Emerson, Oliver Farrar. “Shakespeare’s Sonneteering.” Studies in Philology, vol. 20, no. 2, 1923, pp. 111–36. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4171848. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
2. Bates, Ernest Sutherland. “The Sincerity of Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” Modern Philology, vol. 8, no. 1, 1910, pp. 87–106. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/432499. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
3. MATZ, ROBERT. “THE SCANDALS OF SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS.” ELH, vol. 77, no. 2, 2010, pp. 477–508. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40664640. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
4. Barber, C. L. “Shakespeare in His Sonnets.” The Massachusetts Review, vol. 1, no. 4, 1960, pp. 648–72. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25086565. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Introduction: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Sonnet 116: “Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare first appeared in 1609 in the collection “Sonnets”. This sonnet is praised for its enduring qualities of love and commitment. The main idea is to assert that true love is steadfast and unchangeable, unaffected by time, distance, or external circumstances. Shakespeare emphasizes the enduring nature of love through metaphors and imagery, suggesting that it is a constant force that transcends the fleeting nature of life.

Text: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Annotations: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Line	Text	Annotation
1	Let me not to the marriage of true minds	Introduces the theme of true love and its enduring nature.
2	Admit impediments.	Implies that there should be no obstacles to true love.
3	Love is not love	Defines what true love is not: something that changes or weakens.
4	Which alters when it alteration finds,	Continues to define false love as something that changes in response to circumstances.
5	Or bends with the remover to remove.	Further emphasizes the idea that false love is easily influenced and swayed.
6	O no! it is an ever-fixed mark	Contrasts true love with false love, stating that it is unchanging and steadfast.
7	That looks on tempests and is never shaken;	Metaphorically compares true love to a fixed point that remains unaffected by storms or challenges.
8	It is the star to every wand’ring bark,	Similes true love to a guiding star for those who may be lost.
9	Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.	Suggests that the value of true love is immeasurable, even if its physical manifestations are measured.
10	Love’s not Time’s fool,	Asserts that true love is not subject to the passage of time.
11	though rosy lips and cheeks	Acknowledges the physical aspects of love, but emphasizes that these are not essential to true love.
12	Within his bending sickle’s compass come;	Metaphorically refers to the aging process and the effects of time on physical appearance.
13	Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,	Reiterates the idea that true love is unaffected by the passage of time.
14	But bears it out even to the edge of doom.	Suggests that true love endures until the end of life or the world.
15	If this be error and upon me prov’d,	Challenges the reader to disprove the assertion that true love is enduring.
16	I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d.	Implies that if the poem’s assertion is false, then neither the poet nor anyone else has ever truly loved.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Literary/Poetic Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	Let me not to the marriage of true minds	Repetition of the initial ‘m’ sound in ‘marriage’ and ‘minds’.
Anaphora	Love is not love	Repetition of ‘Love is’ at the beginning of two lines.
Assonance	Love alters not with his brief hours	Repetition of vowel sound in ‘alters’ and ‘hours’.
Consonance	That looks on tempests and is never shaken	Repetition of consonant sound in ‘tempests’ and ‘never’.
Metaphor	It is the star to every wandering bark	Comparing love to a guiding star.
Simile	Love’s not Time’s fool	Love is compared to a servant of Time, though not directly.
Personification	Love’s not Time’s fool	Time is personified as a force that ages people, but cannot alter love.
Hyperbole	Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks	Exaggeration of love’s unchanging nature despite time.
Symbolism	It is the star to every wandering bark	The star symbolizes love’s constancy and guidance.
Enjambment	Or bends with the remover to remove	The thought runs over the end of the line into the next.
Iambic Pentameter	Throughout the entire sonnet	Each line follows an unstressed-stressed syllable pattern.
Volta	Line 9: ‘Love’s not Time’s fool…’	Shift in the poem’s argument, from describing love to contrasting it with Time.
Imagery	That looks on tempests and is never shaken	Vivid description of love as a ‘fixed mark’ and ‘star’.
Allusion	Love’s not Time’s fool	Reference to classical notions of Time and love.
Irony	Though rosy lips and cheeks	It is ironic that time affects physical appearance, but not love.
Paradox	Love’s not Time’s fool	Contradictory statement that love is eternal despite Time’s effects.
Caesura	O no! it is an ever-fixed mark	Pause for emphasis before ‘O no!’.
Apostrophe	If this be error and upon me prov’d	Directly addressing the hypothetical reader or critic.
Epigram	If this be error and upon me prov’d	A brief, clever, and memorable statement.
Oxymoron	Love is not love which alters	Contradictory ideas: love’s permanence vs Time’s transient nature.

Themes: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

1. The Enduring Nature of True Love: In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare presents a powerful argument for the enduring nature of true love. He asserts that true love is a constant force that transcends time, distance, and external circumstances. Lines such as “Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds” and “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks” emphasize this theme, suggesting that true love is a fixed point that remains unshaken by life’s challenges. Unlike false love, which is easily influenced and swayed by external factors, true love is a steadfast and unwavering commitment.
2. The Contrast Between True and False Love: The sonnet contrasts true love with false love, which is characterized by its dependence on external factors and its susceptibility to change. Lines like “Or bends with the remover to remove” and “Love’s not Time’s fool” highlight the difference between the steadfast nature of true love and the fleeting nature of false love. While false love may be influenced by physical beauty, social status, or other superficial factors, true love is based on a deep emotional connection that is not easily broken.
3. The Power of Love to Transcend Physical Limitations: Shakespeare suggests that true love is not defined solely by physical attraction or beauty. Lines like “though rosy lips and cheeks / Within his bending sickle’s compass come” acknowledge the physical aspects of love but emphasize that these are not essential to its true nature. True love, the sonnet implies, is a spiritual connection that transcends the limitations of the physical world. It is a bond that is rooted in shared values, experiences, and a deep understanding of each other’s souls.
4. The Assertion of Love’s Enduring Value: The sonnet concludes with a powerful assertion of love’s enduring value. Lines like “If this be error and upon me prov’d, / I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d” challenge the reader to disprove the poem’s claim that true love is a constant force. Shakespeare suggests that if his assertion is false, then neither he nor anyone else has ever truly loved. This bold statement underscores the importance of true love and its ability to withstand the test of time.

Literary Theories and “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Literary Theory	Explanation	Example/Lines from the Sonnet
Formalism/New Criticism	Focuses on the form, structure, and language of the poem without considering external context like the author’s biography or historical background. Formalists would analyze the sonnet’s use of rhyme, meter, and literary devices to convey meaning.	“Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds” – Formalists would analyze the structure of the line and how the repetition emphasizes the steadfastness of love.
Structuralism	Examines the underlying structures that shape the meaning of the text, including patterns, symbols, and binary oppositions. In “Sonnet 116”, one might analyze the binary oppositions of change vs. constancy and time vs. eternity.	“Love’s not Time’s fool” – The opposition between love and time serves as a structure to examine the eternal nature of love versus the transient nature of time.
Psychoanalytic Theory	This theory explores the psychological motivations of characters and the subconscious desires or anxieties reflected in the text. In “Sonnet 116”, one could explore how love is portrayed as an idealized, almost unattainable state, reflecting human fears of loss and change.	“It is the star to every wand’ring bark” – The metaphor of love as a guiding star might be seen as a projection of the speaker’s desire for stability in a chaotic world, highlighting a deep-seated fear of emotional change.

Critical Questions about “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

1. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell: Both poems explore the enduring nature of love and the passage of time.
2. “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: Both works grapple with the complexities of human relationships and the fear of aging.
3. “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats: Both poems celebrate the enduring power of art and beauty, even in the face of time’s ravages.
4. “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe: Both poems celebrate the enduring power of love, even in the face of death.

Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments”	The opening line declares that nothing should stand in the way of true love.	Formalism: Focuses on the structure of the sentence, where “marriage” becomes a metaphor for unity.
“Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds”	This line states that true love does not change when external circumstances change.	Structuralism: Examines the binary opposition of constancy vs. change to define love’s permanence.
“Or bends with the remover to remove”	Suggests that love does not waver even when someone tries to take it away.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Could reflect the fear of abandonment or the anxiety about love’s stability.
“O no! it is an ever-fixed mark”	Describes love as an unchanging point, like a lighthouse guiding through a storm.	Formalism: Focuses on metaphor and how it shapes the concept of love as constant and unyielding.
“That looks on tempests and is never shaken”	Love remains steadfast even in the face of adversity and emotional turmoil.	New Criticism: Analyzes the imagery of storms to signify emotional challenges in relationships.
“It is the star to every wand’ring bark”	Love is compared to a star that guides lost ships.	Structuralism: Focuses on the symbol of the star, representing love as a guiding and stable force.
“Love’s not Time’s fool”	Time does not govern true love, despite its effects on physical beauty and youth.	Historical Criticism: Could be interpreted in the context of Elizabethan notions of time and fate.
“Though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle’s compass come”	Acknowledges that physical beauty fades under the influence of time, but love remains.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Represents the human fear of aging and decay, contrasting with the endurance of love.
“Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks”	Time is portrayed as fleeting, while love endures beyond it.	New Criticism: Focuses on the dichotomy between the ephemeral nature of time and the permanence of love.
“If this be error and upon me prov’d, I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d”	The concluding couplet emphasizes the speaker’s certainty about the nature of true love.	Deconstruction: Examines the self-referential nature of the final statement, questioning meaning and truth.

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare

1. Neely, Carol Thomas. “Detachment and Engagement in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: 94, 116, and 129.” PMLA, vol. 92, no. 1, 1977, pp. 83–95. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/461416. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
2. Roessner, Jane. “The Coherence and the Context of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116.” The Journal of English and Germanic Philology, vol. 81, no. 3, 1982, pp. 331–46. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27709024. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
3. Emerson, Oliver Farrar. “Shakespeare’s Sonneteering.” Studies in Philology, vol. 20, no. 2, 1923, pp. 111–36. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4171848. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
4. MATZ, ROBERT. “THE SCANDALS OF SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS.” ELH, vol. 77, no. 2, 2010, pp. 477–508. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40664640. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Introduction: “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

“Sonnet 147: My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare first appeared in 1598 in the collection “The Passionate Pilgrim”. This sonnet explores the overwhelming power of love, comparing it to a consuming fever. The speaker describes the intensity of their longing and the physical and emotional turmoil it causes. The main idea is that love can be both exhilarating and painful, and its effects can be all-consuming.

Text: “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

Annotations: “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

Line	Text	Annotation
1	My love is as a fever, longing still	The speaker compares their love to a persistent fever, suggesting its intensity and consuming nature.
2	For that which longer nurseth the disease,	The fever is sustained by the object of the speaker’s love, implying that their desire is self-destructive.
3	Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,	The speaker continues to indulge in their passion, even though it is causing them harm.
4	Th’ uncertain sickly appetite to please.	The fever is likened to a sick appetite, implying that the speaker’s desire is irrational and uncontrollable.
5	My reason, the physician to my love,	The speaker’s reason, or rational mind, is presented as a physician trying to treat their love.
6	Angry that his prescriptions are not kept,	The speaker’s reason is frustrated because their desires are not being followed.
7	Hath left me, and I desperate now approve	Reason has abandoned the speaker, leaving them hopeless and accepting their situation.
8	Desire is death, which physic did except.	The speaker acknowledges that their desire is ultimately destructive, contrary to what reason might have advised.
9	Past cure I am, now reason is past care,	The speaker believes they are beyond help, and reason has given up on them.
10	And frantic-mad with evermore unrest;	The speaker is driven to madness by their constant turmoil and longing.
11	My thoughts and my discourse as madmen’s are,	The speaker’s thoughts and speech are disordered and irrational, like those of a madman.
12	At random from the truth vainly expressed:	The speaker’s words are incoherent and do not reflect reality.
13	For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright,	The speaker has convinced themselves of the beauty and goodness of their beloved.
14	Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.	However, the beloved is revealed to be truly evil and corrupt.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

Device	Definition	Example from the Text	Explanation
Simile	A comparison using “like” or “as.”	“My love is as a fever”	The speaker compares love to a fever, emphasizing its intensity and consuming nature.
Metaphor	A direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”	“My reason, the physician to my love”	Reason is compared to a physician, suggesting that reason tries to cure the speaker’s irrational love.
Personification	Attributing human characteristics to non-human things.	“My reason… Hath left me”	Reason is personified as a doctor abandoning the speaker, emphasizing the speaker’s lack of control.
Alliteration	The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.	“Feeding… preserve… please”	The repeated “p” sound adds rhythm and emphasis to the destructive nature of the speaker’s love.
Anaphora	The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.	“My love… My reason”	The repetition of “My” highlights the conflict between love and reason.
Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.	“Frantic-mad with evermore unrest”	This line evokes the image of madness, conveying the speaker’s emotional turmoil.
Irony	A contrast between what is expected and what occurs.	“Desire is death, which physic did except.”	It is ironic that what should heal (desire) actually leads to death, emphasizing the paradox of love.
Oxymoron	A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear together.	“Sickly appetite”	The combination of “sickly” and “appetite” reflects the unhealthy nature of the speaker’s desires.
Paradox	A statement that contradicts itself but reveals a truth.	“Desire is death”	The idea that desire, which is typically life-giving, leads to death, reflects the self-destructive nature of obsessive love.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.	“Frantic-mad with evermore unrest”	The speaker exaggerates his mental state to convey the depth of his suffering.
Caesura	A pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry.	“Past cure I am, now reason is past care”	The pause in this line emphasizes the speaker’s resignation and despair.
Antithesis	The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas.	“Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.”	The contrast between the previously idealized view of the beloved and their current description reflects the speaker’s shift.
End Rhyme	Rhyming of the final words in two or more lines.	“unrest… expressed”	Creates a sense of unity and closure in the couplet.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause.	“Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill, / Th’ uncertain…”	This enjambment maintains the flow of the poem, mirroring the speaker’s uncontrollable feelings.
Assonance	The repetition of vowel sounds within words.	“Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill”	The long “e” and “i” sounds draw attention to the destructive cycle described.
Consonance	The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.	“Thoughts and discourse as madmen’s are”	The repetition of the “s” sound links “thoughts” and “discourse,” emphasizing their chaotic nature.
Pun	A play on words that have multiple meanings or similar sounds.	“Physic”	“Physic” refers to medicine but also hints at physical love, creating a double meaning.
Tone	The attitude or feeling conveyed by the speaker or writer.	The tone of despair and madness throughout	The tone reflects the speaker’s inner turmoil and the destructive nature of his love.
Volta	A rhetorical shift or dramatic change in thought or emotion.	“For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright…”	The volta occurs when the speaker shifts from idealizing his love to expressing disillusionment.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	“Black as hell, as dark as night”	The color black symbolizes evil or despair, representing the speaker’s view of his lover at this point.

Themes: “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

• The Destructive Power of Unrequited Love: Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 147” delves into the profound and often devastating consequences of unrequited love. The speaker’s passion, metaphorically described as a “fever,” consumes them, leading to a state of physical and emotional turmoil. The lines “My love is as a fever, longing still” and “Desire is death” vividly illustrate the destructive nature of this unfulfilled desire. The speaker’s love, like a disease, feeds on itself, perpetuating the suffering and ultimately leading to self-destruction.
• The Conflict Between Reason and Passion: The sonnet highlights the internal struggle between reason and passion, a timeless theme explored by countless artists. The speaker’s reason, represented as a “physician,” attempts to intervene and provide a rational perspective on their situation. However, the overwhelming power of their emotions ultimately triumphs, leading to the abandonment of reason. Lines such as “My reason, the physician to my love” and “Past cure I am, now reason is past care” emphasize this conflict, demonstrating the struggle between logic and desire.
• The Illusion of Love: Shakespeare presents a disillusioned view of love in “Sonnet 147,” challenging the idealized notions often associated with this emotion. The speaker initially believes their beloved to be “fair” and “bright,” only to later realize their true nature as “black as hell, as dark as night.” This stark contrast reveals the deceptive nature of love, highlighting the potential for heartbreak and disillusionment. The sonnet suggests that love can be a powerful illusion, blinding individuals to the reality of their beloved’s character.
• The Madness of Love: The sonnet explores the idea that love can drive individuals to the brink of madness, a theme that resonates with many who have experienced intense and unrequited passion. The speaker’s thoughts and discourse become “as madmen’s are,” reflecting the irrationality and intensity of their emotions. Lines such as “And frantic-mad with evermore unrest” and “My thoughts and my discourse as madmen’s are” emphasize this theme, suggesting that love can be a powerful force that can distort perception and lead to irrational behavior.

Literary Theories and “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

Literary Theory	Explanation	Relevant Lines from Sonnet 147
Psychoanalytic Theory	This theory focuses on the unconscious mind and its influence on human behavior. In “Sonnet 147,” the speaker’s intense love and its destructive consequences can be analyzed through a psychoanalytic lens. The sonnet suggests that the speaker’s unconscious desires are driving their actions, leading to self-destructive behavior.	“My love is as a fever, longing still”
New Historicism	This theory examines literature within its historical and cultural context. In “Sonnet 147,” the sonnet can be analyzed in relation to the Elizabethan era’s understanding of love, medicine, and the role of reason. The speaker’s comparison of love to a disease and the conflict between reason and passion reflect the cultural beliefs of the time.	“My reason, the physician to my love”
Feminist Theory	This theory examines the representation of women in literature and the power dynamics between genders. While “Sonnet 147” does not explicitly focus on women, it can be analyzed through a feminist lens by considering the speaker’s objectification of their beloved and the portrayal of love as a consuming force that can lead to self-destruction.	“For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright”

Critical Questions about “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

1. “La Belle Dame sans Merci” by John Keats
   This poem shares a theme of destructive, unrequited love, where the speaker is consumed by a fatal obsession with an enchanting yet heartless woman.
2. “When We Two Parted” by Lord Byron
   Like “Sonnet 147,” Byron’s poem conveys the emotional suffering of a speaker who feels betrayed and disillusioned by a former lover.
3. “Love’s Alchemy” by John Donne
   Donne’s poem critiques the false promises of romantic love, much like how Shakespeare’s speaker reflects on the self-deception caused by intense desire.
4. “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
   Poe’s narrative poem delves into the theme of madness driven by loss and longing, paralleling the speaker’s descent into irrationality in “Sonnet 147.”
5. “The Sick Rose” by William Blake
   This short poem uses the metaphor of a rose being destroyed by a worm, echoing the idea of love as an illness that consumes and destroys, much like Shakespeare’s feverish love.

Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“My love is as a fever, longing still”	The speaker introduces the metaphor of love as a consuming illness.	Psychoanalytic: The metaphor reflects unconscious desire and the destructive, uncontrollable nature of love.
“For that which longer nurseth the disease”	The speaker reveals that his love continues to fuel the very sickness it creates.	Feminist: Love as a self-destructive force could represent the societal pressures to idealize unattainable women.
“Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill”	The speaker admits that his desire perpetuates his suffering.	Deconstruction: This line suggests that love is paradoxical, both life-giving and life-destroying.
“My reason, the physician to my love”	Reason is personified as a doctor who tries to cure the speaker’s irrational love.	Rationalist: This line reflects the tension between reason and emotion, a central theme in rationalist philosophy.
“Hath left me, and I desperate now approve”	The speaker acknowledges that reason has abandoned him, leaving him in a state of desperation.	Existentialist: The abandonment of reason leaves the speaker in a crisis, reflecting existential isolation.
“Desire is death, which physic did except”	The speaker suggests that desire leads to death, rejecting the idea that love can be cured.	Freudian: The line reveals the death drive (Thanatos), a deep association between desire and destruction.
“Past cure I am, now reason is past care”	The speaker declares that he is beyond saving, having lost control over his emotions.	Tragic: This line highlights the speaker’s tragic realization of his helplessness, evoking themes of tragic downfall.
“Frantic-mad with evermore unrest”	The speaker describes his mental state as frantic, driven to madness by his uncontrolled love.	Psychological: The speaker’s madness can be seen as the result of emotional repression and irrational obsession.
“My thoughts and my discourse as madmen’s are”	The speaker compares his thoughts to those of a madman, indicating a break from rationality.	Cognitive Dissonance: The speaker’s mental state reflects the internal conflict between idealized love and reality.
“For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright”	The speaker admits that he once idealized his lover, but now sees her true nature.	Romantic Disillusionment: The speaker’s realization points to disillusionment with romantic idealization.

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 147:  My Love Is as A Fever, Longing Still” by William Shakespeare

1. “Sonnets.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 48, no. 5, 1997, pp. 743–48. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2871362. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
2. Bates, Ernest Sutherland. “The Sincerity of Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” Modern Philology, vol. 8, no. 1, 1910, pp. 87–106. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/432499. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
3. Crosman, Robert. “Making Love out of Nothing at All: The Issue of Story in Shakespeare’s Procreation Sonnets.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 41, no. 4, 1990, pp. 470–88. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2870777. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
4. Schalkwyk, David. “‘She Never Told Her Love’: Embodiment, Textuality, and Silence in Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Plays.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 45, no. 4, 1994, pp. 381–407. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2870963. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.