Free College Essays - Shakespeares Sonnet 76 :: Sonnet essays

sonnet 76   Sonnet 76 is in the section of Shakespe atomic number 18s sonnets generally accepted as being written to the "fair young man." However, there is no clear indicant within this sonnet to identify its recipient. The ground level is consistent iambic pentameter with an abab,cdcd,efef,gg poesy scheme. The basic argument of this sonnet is the power of the sonnet itself as a lasting sayion of honey. In the first quatrain, the poet questions himself about his poetic mode. He makes reference to it being "barren" (unproductive, dry, lacking richness or interest) of " impudently pride" which is an archaic expression for "ornament." He questions the lack of variety or innovation. Then he asks himself why he doesnt follow the current fads (trends) and newly methods of expression. Within these lines the poet begins on a path of self-examination into what he is doing specifically in writing sonnets to express his love. These thoughts are further explored in the nigh quatrain. The poet asks why he writes al focussings in the very(prenominal) fake and style keeping his creative imagination tied to a well-known form. This form is the sonnet which fits the poetic style of the writer in the same way as a garment worn frequently enough to be recognized (therefore, a comfortable garment). The poet feels every word he writes reveals his individuation because of the identification of the style and manner of word usage with himself. As a child who resembles his or her parent, his way with words is easily identified. Taking this further, just as a parent cannot disown his child as his true offspring, the poet cannot deny the sonnet as his own true form of expression. In the net quatrain, the poet tells his recipient that he always writes on one theme--his love and the one he loves. For this reason, the poet finds his best tool in reworking his words and the long-familiar form of the sonnet. Even as a child is a form of expressing true love (an idea from the early sonnets), his sonnets as his offspring express the poets feelings in his own unique way. He may have to reprocess words and images but he hopes that for each one new time he can improve the word combinations and embellishments to heighten his attempt to communicate love. The final couplet brings forth the idea that as the sun rises new each day with all its bright freshness while at the same time it is as old as creation, so the poets love sonnets are both new and old in what they are saying.