Shakespeares Sonnets :: Sonnet essays

Shakespeares Sonnets Shakespeares sonnets, as poems, have been obscured by the enormous amountof speculation, much of it un scarcelyified, that has grown up around the problemspresented by the dedication. The pastime sonnet is commonly grouped with 125others that are believed to have been written to a much admired young man, whowas Shakespeares junior in both long time and social status. The form in which the poem is written is often referred to as Shakespeareanor English form. As in most of Shakespeares sonnets the argument issue byquatrains. Each quatrain presents an idea in itself. The poet in the firstlyquatrain bewails his own lot in the south contrasts that lot with other mensin the third, idea of his beloved friend, he rises like the lark that singshymns at promised lands gate and in the couplet his happiness is generalized in afinal contrast. In the firstline the poet speaks of himself as being out of luck, and/or money and not wellreceived by his fellow man. He has ta ken to crying near his social ostracismin line two. In an attempt to clarify for himself why he is in such a state he troubles heaven with his bootless or useless cries. But as the poet has madeclear heaven turns a deaf ear and no response is forthcoming. Again he becomesintrospective and curses his fate. This first quatrain has given us an image ofa grown man down and out if you will, who is accepting no responsibility forhis lifes station. By the second quatrain the poet has taken to wishing he were more hopeful.He wants to be more popular with his peers and he desires the literary skill, art, and intellectual prowess, scope, of other men. It is approximately humorous tothink that Shakespeare, at one time, wished to be a better writer. Even thatwhich most delights the poet no longer stays the pain he is feeling. each is not lost, however. The third quatrain offers our poet hope. He isalmost to the point of despising himself when suddenly salvation finds him. Bysome chance he th inks of his love (be that love masculine or female we know not).These thoughts overwhelm him with joy. His whole mood becomes like the lark atbreak of day. In short, he is uplifted. To show just how happy the poet hasbecome he gives us a final contrast in the closing couplet. For thy sweet love remembred such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.