Summary Sonnet 55, one of Shakespeare’s most famous verses, asserts the immortality of the poet’s sonnets to withstand the forces of decay over time. The sonnet continues this theme from the previous sonnet, in which the poet likened himself to a distiller of truth. Although the poet’s previous pride in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 55Summary and Analysis Sonnet 54
Summary The rose image in this sonnet symbolizes immortal truth and devotion, two virtues that the poet associates with the young man. Likening himself to a distiller, the poet, who argues that his verse distills the youth’s beauty, or “truth,” sees poetry as a procreative activity: Poetry alone creates an […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 54Summary and Analysis Sonnet 53
Summary A more relaxed poet appears to have forgotten his previous doubts about his relationship with the young man, who is still attractive but whose true self is elusive. Ironically, the poet’s lavish and ornate eulogy of the youth — for example, when he compares him to Adonis, a legendary […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 53Summary and Analysis Sonnet 52
Summary The poet grows more accepting of his separation from the young man, whom he likens to “up-locked treasure.” This image of the youth as a treasure unites the sonnet: In line 9, the poet writes, “So is the time that keeps you as my chest,” “chest” clearly referring to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 52Summary and Analysis Sonnet 51
Summary The companion to the previous sonnet, Sonnet 51 further expands on the theme of traveling. Many of the details in Sonnet 50 appear here, including the “slow offence / Of my dull bearer,” which mirrors “The beast . . . / Plods dully on,” and the relative weight of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 51Summary and Analysis Sonnet 50
Summary Nothing suggests where the poet is journeying in this and the following sonnets. All that is known is that the poet is on an unnamed journey away from the young man. The poet’s allusion to solitude has no definite time frame, and the journey may be brief. However, the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 50Summary and Analysis Sonnet 49
Summary All pride is missing in this sonnet, whose first four lines continue the poet’s fear of the “truth” evoked in the preceding sonnet. Moreover, the poet is prepared to place blame on himself for the youth’s no longer loving him: “And this my hand against myself uprear . . […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 49Summary and Analysis Sonnet 48
Summary The youth keeps the poet on edge, and once again we see the poet’s bondage to the relationship. The poet develops a metaphorical contrast between being robbed of physical possessions and losing emotional ties to the young man. This loss that he so fears is already in the making, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 48Summary and Analysis Sonnet 47
Summary In Sonnet 46, conflict between the eyes and heart is the theme. In Sonnet 47, these organs complement one another. The sonnet, rather uninspired compared to many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, contrasts the actual and imaginary youth: “So, either by thy picture or my love, / Thyself away are present […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 47Summary and Analysis Sonnet 46
Summary The poet alludes to contradictions within himself when he considers his longing for the sight of the youth’s good looks and his need to love and be loved by the youth himself. Sonnet 46 thus deals with the theme of conflict between the poet’s eyes and heart: “Mine eye […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Sonnet 46