Sonnet 78 is taken from the collection of “Shakespeare’s sonnets” according to Duncan Jones probably dedicated to William Herbert (Duncan Jones, 85). It is the first sonnet of the group of the rival sonnets running from Sonnet 78 to 86 (Duncan Jones, 65). A common aspect in these sonnets is that rival poets challenge the poet in his poetry for the young man’s favour. A subtheme in the rival poet series is the poet’s expression of love, balanced against the artistic style of others. It will therefore be interesting to have a closer look at how the lyrical speaker tries to win the fight for the young man’s affection over his rivals in this particular sonnet and which strategies he applies to prove that, despite his inferior talent, he is worthier than his rivals.
By responding to these questions, there will be given evidence for the thesis that the speaker’s superiority to his contestants lies in his honest affection to his beloved. The young man thus being supposed to value the poet’s lines not for their outmoded “style” but for the love they express.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Legal Ownership vs. Illegal Imitation
3 Inferiority in style vs. superiority in love
4 Artificial Style versus Simplicity
5 References to erotic love
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how the lyrical speaker in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 78 distinguishes himself from his rivals in the competition for the young man's affection. The central research question explores the strategies the speaker employs to demonstrate that his honest emotional connection is superior to the technical, artificial poetic styles of his competitors.
- Analysis of legalistic metaphors and ownership claims in the first quatrain.
- Examination of the antithesis between poetic simplicity and stylistic imitation.
- Investigation of the speaker's total dependence on the muse for artistic inspiration.
- Exploration of erotic undercurrents and sexual connotations within the sonnet's imagery.
- Evaluation of the "rival poets" subtheme within the broader collection of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Excerpt from the Book
3 Inferiority in style vs. superiority in love
In the 2nd quatrain the speaker presents himself as originally inferior to his rivals in terms of poetic talent, only, however, to draw the reader’s attention to the positive effect of the young man’s inspiration on his poetry. The unequal relationship in talent is depicted in the form of an antithesis between the qualities of ungifted poets: “dumb” (5), “ignorance” (6) and those that are used to describe the identity of the rival(s): “learned” (7) and “grace” (8). Synechdochally standing for the whole person, the adjectives “the dumb” (5) and “the learned” (7) have been nominalized. Furthermore, there can be identified a semantic opposition between the nominalized adjective “the dumb” and the verb “sing” (5).
A very similar antithesis can be found between “heavy” (6) and “aloft to fly ” (6) in the following line. As well as a heavy person can hardly be expected to soar “aloft” into the sky, a mute person is far from being able to “sing”. All these metaphors express the positive effect the young man has on untalented poets/ or the speaker himself who by the youth's inspiration are elevated to the level of the learned scholars of line 7. It is worth noticing in this context that “learned” scholars like the rivals at Shakespeare’s time were often said to be dull poets which might indicate the irony that is operating here (Booth, 271).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter contextualizes Sonnet 78 within the "rival poets" series and establishes the thesis that the speaker's honest affection makes him superior to his competitors.
2 Legal Ownership vs. Illegal Imitation: This section analyzes the speaker's use of proprietary language to contrast his authentic relationship with the muse against the dishonest imitation of his rivals.
3 Inferiority in style vs. superiority in love: The text discusses how the speaker leverages his self-proclaimed lack of technical skill to highlight the transformative power of the young man’s inspiration.
4 Artificial Style versus Simplicity: This chapter contrasts the overloaded, artificial verses of the rivals with the simple, direct expression of love found in the speaker’s poetry.
5 References to erotic love: This final analytical section investigates the sexual subtexts and metaphors that underpin the speaker’s unique, intimate connection to the addressee.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Sonnet 78, Rival Poets, Lyrical Speaker, Poetic Talent, Inspiration, Artificial Style, Simplicity, Legal Ownership, Erotic Love, Literary Analysis, Metaphor, Muse, Affection, Sonnet Structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper provides a detailed literary analysis of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 78, focusing on how the speaker defends his position against rival poets competing for the attention of a young man.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study focuses on the tension between artistic "style" versus authentic "affection," the concept of poetic ownership, and the role of the beloved as a source of inspiration.
What is the central research question?
The author investigates how the speaker argues that his sincere emotional bond with the beloved is more valuable than the sophisticated, yet emotionally hollow, talent of his rivals.
Which methodology is applied in this analysis?
The paper utilizes close reading and stylistic analysis, examining rhyme schemes, metaphor usage, and etymological roots of key terms to uncover hidden meanings in the text.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body breaks down the sonnet chronologically and thematically, analyzing the quatrains, the role of the "muse," the contrast between artificial and simple styles, and erotic imagery.
Which keywords define the work?
Key terms include Sonnet 78, rival poets, poetic inspiration, sincerity, erotic subtext, metaphor, and stylistic analysis.
How does the speaker use "legal" language in the poem?
The speaker employs terms associated with legal ownership to establish an exclusive, customary right to use the young man as his muse, effectively labeling rivals as "thieves" or "imitators."
What is the significance of the "bird" metaphor?
The bird metaphor, particularly referencing falconry, illustrates the rivals' attempt to "repair" their lack of genuine inspiration with external, artificial stylistic additions.
- Quote paper
- Francesca Cavaliere (Author), 2008, Shakespeare's sonnet 78. True love and its positive effects on writing, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/319732
