Shakespeare Sonnets

 William Shakespeare whom we all know was one to write in a variety with his word choice and extravagance in tone. He was one to dip his toes in much of writing and became well known for risks he had taken within his writing alongside the incredible detail and introduction of methods to write. Sonnets by Shakespeare were in more than one direction. He wrote in great feelings and all of which were not the same. In Sonnet 21, Shakespeare writes poetically about a beloved but this was not to impress others to for sales of his creativity. Instead, he was one to resonate with truth and sincerity over all else and to be one with true feelings of which is reflected in this sonnet. Additionally, in Sonnet 54, truth is mentioned again alongside with the idea of beauty mentioning a rose as a comparison. Virtue coincides with beauty as it is not enough to be truly appreciated as Shakespeare depicts in this sonnet. Lastly, Sonnet 4 dives into the physical beauty of a person accompanied by responsibility. Shakespeare writes of beauty but makes sure to touch on the fact that it may not last forever so relying on such a single aspect is not going to be enough. Like previous sonnets, beauty should be held by other tenants or pillars that can be the base such as responsibility. Overall, we know that Shakespeare writes a lot about true feelings and aspects of life whether it is literal in his life or general across many generations. To take away from the sonnets, beauty is a gift but one that will not stick around for forever and because of this, we cannot be vein but instead uphold the multitude of other core qualities that should walk beside it. 




Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend
Upon thyself thy beauty’s legacy?
Nature’s bequest gives nothing but doth lend,
And being frank, she lends to those are free.
Then, beauteous niggard, why dost thou abuse
The bounteous largess given thee to give?
Profitless usurer, why dost thou use
So great a sum of sums yet canst not live?
For, having traffic with thyself alone,
Thou of thyself thy sweet self dost deceive.
Then how, when nature calls thee to be gone,
What acceptable audit canst thou leave?
Thy unused beauty must be tombed with thee,
Which usèd lives th’ executor to be.

Comments

  1. Justus UllmanMarch 3, 2023 at 1:24 AM

    Hey Jenna! I thought it was really interesting how you noted how variable Shakespeare could be both in his own works and compared to others. He really broke the mold of traditional sonnets, choosing to write about the beauty of women instead of just heartbreak and torment. He ushered in a completely new era of work. Great Blog!

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