Amateur and professional critics both amateur and professional, analyze William Shakespeare’s sonnets with great care. Shakespeare’s sonnets come in many interpretations. The popular “Sonnet 30” is very well-received by critics. It’s a great metaphor that relates love and financial difficulties. The true meaning of the poetry is, however, not supported by any evidence. This poem does not compare monetary hardships to the love of his life, but instead reflects on his grief and his affection for his two partners. We are given a glimpse into the mind of the poet. Shakespeare employs his sonnet form to highlight this. In the quatrains, Shakespeare shows his regret for his first love, and then shifts to a sweet, unremorseful tone, directed towards his mistress in the couplet. The language in the poem, despite the form, indicates that it is written to two lovers. As a compassionate narrator, the emotional narrator has two perspectives. William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 30,” a poem by William Shakespeare, is often viewed as a very subtle financial metaphor of love.

Shakespeare’s true meaning is revealed through the “Sonnet 30-” format. Shakespeare used a specific way to organize his sonnets. They all had three quatrains plus a couplet that would allow for the change in tone. To meet the requirements for iambic pentameter, all sonnets had ten lines. Shakespeare makes use of the sonnet to his advantage. The majority of the poem’s lines, from lines 1-12, is where the narrator describes his feelings during “sweet silent thought”, a time when he gathers all his shameful emotions toward his lover. The narrator admits in these 12 lines that he “moans many a lost sight” and weeps over the end of their relationship because of his cheating. He then lists his pities, and only mentions that “precious friends hid death’s dateless day” were among them. This sonnet continues until the last two lines, or couplet. Shakespeare would often change the sonnet’s gear in these lines. He would both sum up his poetry and leave it open. Shakespeare finishes this line with “But the while you think on me, dear friend,/ All your losses are redeemed and your sorrows end.” This ending is clearly directed at the narrator’s mistress. Shakespeare and his audience were expecting this sudden shift in tone. The change from a sad, empathic voice toward a gentle, optimistic outlook is indicative of the transformation of people. The reader is aware of this shift as the narrator addresses another person of interest, his mistress. Shakespeare uses the format in a humorous and intelligent way that drives his emotions to the readers. The physical literature is as important as Shakespeare’s works. Shakespeare is well-known for his unique combination of words, phrases and images that create a rich image. The first twelve words of the text are used to express the feelings of the narrator. This man’s beautiful and haunting cry is displayed throughout the first 12 lines. Shakespeare is able not only to depict this image but also invoke these emotions. Many critics find it difficult to accept the inclusion of other formal words, such “cancelled”, or “paid”. These words may be evidence for an interesting theory, but the literary work of the sonnet speaks louder than the evidence. Each line can be understood to suggest that the narrator is in love with his adulteress after cheating on his spouse. Lines 2 to 4, 6-9, 9 and 12, in particular, address the once-very real, but now broken relationship between the Narrator and his committed partner. These lines show him struggling with the idea of once being in love but now that he is responsible for it ending, despite their shared past. Although he is clearly upset about his failed relationship, he recognizes that it was unhealthy. The two last lines only address his mistress. After pondering all the damage and mischief he caused, he turns his attention to his mistress. This lifts him spirits. Shakespeare’s ability to express the emotions of the narrator in a complex way is not just a poem about marital and financial difficulties. It is also a highly empathic man, who simultaneously feels pain and loves the women he has.

Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 30,” is a stunning manipulation of word choice and format. Shakespeare weaves an engaging plot through this sonnet while conveying a lot of pain-filled emotion to the reader. This sonnet is narrated by the narrator. He addresses his first and dysfunctional love, who he cheated on but loved, and his mistress. This sonnet could be described as a financial and credit metaphor. However, even the most casual reader will see that there is so much more to the story. Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 30,” is misunderstood.

elliotjones

Elliot Jones is a 29-year-old middle school teacher and blogger. He has been writing since he was a teenager, and his writings have been featured on various websites and in magazines. He enjoys writing about education, parenting, and lifestyle topics.