Summary Apparently having been reproached by the youth for withdrawing from competition against the rival poet, the poet argues that it is better not to write any poetry than to write falsely. Recalling the phrase “gross painting” from the previous sonnet, the poet responds to what must have been the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 83Summary and Analysis Sonnet 82
Summary A less subdued poet challenges the rival poet. In contrast to the intellectually fashionable rival, the poet possesses an intuitive, almost spiritual inspiration. As wise as his rival is merely clever, he agrees with the young man that his verse may be inferior to the beauty of its subject, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 82Summary and Analysis Sonnet 81
Summary The poet rebounds somewhat in the face of the rival poet’s opposition. Reverting to tried-and-tested themes, he heroically assures the youth that he, unlike the rival poet, can immortalize the young man through his sonnets: “Your name from hence immortal life shall have, / Though I, once gone, to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 81Summary and Analysis Sonnet 80
Summary The poet acknowledges that the rival poet displaces him in the youth’s favor. Feeling discouraged by the superiority of the “better spirit” of the rival poet, whom he describes throughout the sonnet using nautical imagery, the poet complains of being “tongue-tied,” unable to compete with his rival’s exalted verse. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 80Summary and Analysis Sonnet 79
Summary Sonnet 79 presents the first specific reference to a rival poet who vies for the young man’s affections. Without losing his sense of moral superiority, the poet bitterly resents the other poet. His first response to the challenge is feeble and characteristically modest: “I grant, sweet love, thy lovely […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 79Summary and Analysis Sonnet 78
Summary The poet’s success in gaining entry into the youth’s good graces inspires imitators: “As every alien pen hath got my use, / And under thee their poesy disperse.” Acknowledging that he is being challenged by other poets for the young man’s affections, the poet asks the youth to compare […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 78Summary and Analysis Sonnet 77
Summary The youth’s aging face will be reflected in a mirror, and the passage of time will be reflected on his watch, clashing with the youth’s eternally young thoughts. As the young man ages, each wrinkle on his face will remind him of a memory from his youth. However, because […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 77Summary and Analysis Sonnet 76
Summary Complaining that his verse is sadly limited, the poet acknowledges that his praise of the young man allows no new form of argument. As a traditionalist, the poet rejects innovation for innovation’s sake. Failing to keep abreast of modern inventions, he watches other poets experiment with new and exciting […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 76Summary and Analysis Sonnet 75
Summary The poet is torn by contrary feelings that he cannot reconcile. His relationship with the youth alternates between pleasure — “Sometime all full with feasting on your sight” — and uneasiness — “And by and by clean starved for a look.” Nor does he know whether to be alone […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 75Summary and Analysis Sonnet 74
Summary The poet continues his obsessive concern with his own death. Although he emphasizes his own inadequacy as a person, he boldly asserts the greatness of his verse: “My life hath in this line some interest, / Which for memorial still with thee shall stay.” He claims that his better […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 74