Being so much in love that one envies everyone who gets in contact with the beloved person is probably something that all of us have experienced themselves. But in "Sonnet 128" Shakespeare presents a speaker of the poem who admires his mistress so deeply that he is even jealous of the objects that are close to her.
Although this poem deals with very strong feelings its external form does not reflect the highly confused state of emotion of the speaker. The poem follows strictly the form of the English sonnet with its three quatrains (consisting of alternate rhymes) and one concluding rhyming couplet that summarises the thoughts of the speaker. The rhymes are absolutely regular, too and the masculine end rhymes are without exception perfect rhymes. With just few exceptions (which will be examined in the next paragraphs) the iambic pentameter is also regular and evokes an atmosphere of harmony and calmness.
Table of Contents
1. Interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 128”
1.1 Formal structure and emotional state
1.2 Analysis of the first part: The rhetorical question
1.3 Analysis of the second part: The speaker's desire
1.4 Analysis of the third part: The concluding couplet
1.5 Conclusion and internal balance
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to provide a literary analysis of William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 128,” exploring how the speaker's intense romantic jealousy towards a musical instrument is articulated through specific poetic devices and structural choices.
- Analysis of the structural form of the English sonnet.
- Examination of rhetorical figures, including personification and metaphor.
- Investigation of the use of meter and rhythm to mirror emotional states.
- Discussion of the symbolism of body parts (pars pro toto).
- Interpretation of the speaker's psychological transition toward internal balance.
Excerpt from the Book
Interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 128”
Being so much in love that one envies everyone who gets in contact with the beloved person is probably something that all of us have experienced themselves. But in “Sonnet 128” Shakespeare presents a speaker who admires his mistress so deeply that he is even jealous of the objects that are close to her.
Although this poem deals with very strong feelings its external form does not reflect the highly confused state of emotion of the speaker. The poem follows strictly the form of the English sonnet with its three quatrains (consisting of alternate rhymes) and one concluding rhyming couplet that summarises the thoughts of the speaker. The rhymes are absolutely regular, too and the masculine end rhymes are without exception perfect rhymes. With just few exceptions (which will be examined in the next paragraphs) the iambic pentameter is also regular and evokes an atmosphere of harmony and calmness.
The poem is divided into three main parts of which the first one (consisting of l.1-8) is a rhetorical question asked by the speaker. While his beloved mistress is playing a kind of harpsichord, he fantasises about being as near to her as the instrument is. Besides, he links the music and the musician by addressing her with the metaphor “my music” (l.1). The relationship between both of them which is stressed by an epanalepsis and two alliterations shows that the mistress makes the speaker as happy as the beautiful harmonies and melodies she produces.
Summary of Chapters
1. Interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 128”: This introductory section outlines the overarching theme of the speaker's jealousy toward a harpsichord and establishes the analytical framework regarding the poem's structure and emotional content.
1.1 Formal structure and emotional state: This part examines the adherence to the English sonnet form, noting how the strict rhyme and meter provide a facade of harmony despite the speaker's turbulent inner feelings.
1.2 Analysis of the first part: The rhetorical question: This chapter analyzes the opening eight lines, focusing on how the speaker uses rhetorical questions, metaphors, and personification to express his envy of the instrument.
1.3 Analysis of the second part: The speaker's desire: This section investigates the shift in tone as the speaker articulates his wish to replace the instrument, highlighting the use of symbolism and complex rhetorical devices.
1.4 Analysis of the third part: The concluding couplet: This part explores the final resolution of the poem, where the speaker proposes a compromise to share the mistress's attention.
1.5 Conclusion and internal balance: The final section reflects on the poem's conclusion, suggesting that the speaker achieves a sense of psychological closure through the musical resolution of the sonnet.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Sonnet 128, literary analysis, poetry, jealousy, metaphor, personification, iambic pentameter, rhetoric, English sonnet, emotion, symbolism, harpsichord, literary interpretation, poetic devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this analysis?
This work provides a detailed literary analysis of Shakespeare’s "Sonnet 128," focusing on the speaker's romantic jealousy toward a musical instrument being played by his mistress.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include romantic longing, the personification of inanimate objects, the expression of jealousy, and the search for emotional balance within the confines of rigid poetic structures.
What is the main research focus?
The primary objective is to investigate how Shakespeare uses specific rhetorical figures and formal structural elements to convey the speaker's deep emotional state.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The analysis utilizes a close reading approach, examining formal properties such as meter, rhyme, and rhetorical tropes to interpret the poem's underlying psychological meaning.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body systematically analyzes the poem in three parts, dissecting the rhetorical question, the speaker’s fantasies, and the final resolution presented in the concluding couplet.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Shakespeare, Sonnet 128, personification, jealousy, metaphor, and poetic form.
How does the speaker personify the harpsichord?
The speaker treats the instrument as a living rival, using verbs like "leap" and "kiss," and describing its "boldness" to suggest that it consciously interacts with the mistress.
What is the significance of the "lips" in this poem?
The lips serve as a "pars pro toto" symbol, representing the speaker's entire physical being and his desire for intimate contact with the addressee.
Does the poem reveal if the speaker's feelings are returned?
No, the text notes that the sonnet does not explicitly state whether the speaker's love is reciprocated; however, the resolution suggests the speaker attains internal balance.
Why does the speaker focus on the harpsichord?
The speaker envies the harpsichord because of its physical closeness to the mistress and the intimacy of being "touched" by her fingers during her performance.
- Quote paper
- Dipl.-Bibl. Regina Männle (Author), 2005, Interpretation of Shakespeare's "Sonnet 128", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/129003
