|
READ THIS
In this sonnet, Shakespeare reflects on the sad things in his past -- an action which makes him feel
sadder.
He remembers unfulfilled desires, people who have died, people he has loved, and things he is no longer
able to look at. His mood is restored, however, once he thinks about his friend.
ABOUT THE POET
William Shakespeare -- commonly known simply as "The Bard" -- was born in April 1564.
Although he lived a mere 52 years, he has won for himself the reputation of being the greatest of all
English poets and playwrights.
He grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon where, at the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway with whom he had
three children.
Modern scholars love to question whether or not he was actually gay -- such is the energy-sapping
research of these scholars.
Indeed, scholars would later come to question not only his sexual stance but also whether or not it was
he who actually wrote all the works attributed to him.
The Bard established a most successful career for himself in acting and in writing for the stage. Ultimately
he became the part-owner of The Lord Chamberlain's Men, a theatrical company which eventually
came to be known as The King's Men.
In his early years in theatrics, Shakespeare focussed his attention on writing comedies and histories. Only
later did he produce a series of tragedies such as Hamlet, Macbeth and King
Lear, the works for which he is preeminently known.
Although he wrote two lengthy narrative poems as well as several other shorter ones, his reputation as
a poet was established through his amazing collection of sonnets -- 154 in all.
Indeed, his particular style of sonnet, commonly known as the Elizabethan form, is also referred to simply
as "the Shakespearian sonnet".
In about 1613, he returned to Stratford-upon-Avon and died there in April 1616.
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
|
TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
"When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past."
- Identify the figure of speech in the first line. Why has it been used? (4)
[Need help?]
ALLITERATION -- or better still, SIBILANCE.
The repetition of the "s" sound is soft and pleasing. It conveys the calmness with which his
contemplation of the past begins. Sitting back and reflecting starts off as a pleasant experience.
The words "sessions" and "summons" form a comparison between court proceedings and
the poet's contemplation of the past.
When a court is operating, it is said to be in session. This is compared with the period of time
Shakespeare spends in reflection.
|
- What is the poet's reaction when he recalls sad memories? Quote the line to support your
answer. (2)
[Need help?]
The poet weeps.
"Then can I drown an eye (unused to flow)."
|
"I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste."
- Paraphrase these lines -- i.e. rewrite in your own words. (4)
[Need help?]
The sigh expresses the regret that the poet was not able to achieve everything he wanted. As he recalls
these old failures, he feels sad all over again and mourns the fact that he has wasted time on these
unfulfilled desires.
|
"For precious friends hid in death's dateless night."
- Why has Shakespeare chosen to use the word "precious"? (2)
[Need help?]
"Precious" means beloved, much prized, having great value. Shakespeare uses the word to
express how much his friends meant to him. They were as valuable as precious stones and he greatly
feels their loss.
|
- Explain the meaning of "death's dateless night". (2)
[Need help?]
Night evokes darkness which is associated with death. Death is "dateless" since it does not come
to an end the way a year ends. We cannot measure death with months or years.
Notice the use of ALLITERATION in this line.
|
"And weep afresh love's long since cancelled woe."
- Discuss the IRONY in this line. (2)
[Need help?]
Even though the sadness of the lost love has long been forgotten, now that the poet thinks about it once
more, he relives the sadness and "weeps" all over again.
Did you notice the repetition of the "l". This is another example of ALLITERATION which slows the
rhythm and draws out the word to express how draining these sad memories are.
|
"Then can I grieve at grievances foregone."
- Would it be true to say that his attitude is pitiful? (2)
[Need help?]
Yes, indeed. The poet keeps bringing up things that he had put out of his mind. Why get upset all over
again over something which has long been forgiven and forgotten? He appears to be wallowing in his
self-pity.
OR
No, not at all. The poet is perhaps in such a depressed state of mind that he just cannot snap out of it.
|
"The sad account of fore-bemoanéd moan
Which I new pay as if not paid before."
- What is it that Shakespeare repays? Explain your answer. (4)
[Need help?]
The poet pays the "account" which he has already paid. The "account" refers to something
which has made him sad and which he has already grieved over.
Because he feels sad more than once, it is as though he is paying his account again. By grieving, he has
paid what was due. He no longer owes anything.
|
"But if the while . . . "
- Explain Shakespeare's reason for the use of the word "But". (2)
[Need help?]
The word "But" introduces the rhyming couplet which contains the summing up of the sonnet. It
effectively draws attention to the change which is about to occur.
|
|
