Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind
Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly..
Summary of Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind
- Popularity of “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”: This beautiful lyric poem by William Shakespeare first appeared in his play, As You Like It, performed in the late 1590s and printed in 1623. It is a poignant reflection on human nature, contrasting the harshness of winter with the often more painful realities of betrayal and ingratitude. The poem is not a narrative; it is a meditation on the fleeting nature of friendship and the resilience required to find joy in a world marked by disappointment.
- “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind” as a Representative of Human Nature: In the play, the shepherd Amiens sings this song. He does not merely describe a cold winter day; he articulates a profound sense of disillusionment. He argues that the visible, physical discomfort of winter is less damaging than the hidden wounds inflicted by ungrateful friends and forgotten kindnesses. The poem suggests that while winter’s bite is temporary, the pain of betrayal can linger much longer.
- Major Themes in “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”: The central themes are betrayal, the illusory nature of friendship, and the importance of finding contentment even in the face of adversity. Shakespeare does not present a bleak or pessimistic outlook; rather, he acknowledges the flaws in human relationships while encouraging a stoic acceptance of life’s challenges. The repeated refrain, “Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly!”, offers a counterpoint to the poem’s melancholic tone, suggesting a call to find joy in simple pleasures.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”
Shakespeare masterfully employs a range of literary devices to amplify the poem’s emotional resonance and convey its complex themes. Understanding these techniques unlocks a deeper appreciation for his artistry.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates a musical effect and emphasizes certain ideas. For example, the recurrence of the long “o” sound in “Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly” creates a sense of weariness and resignation.
- Apostrophe: The direct address to the winter wind and the sky (“Blow, blow, thou winter wind,” “Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky”) personifies these natural elements, inviting them into a dialogue and strengthening the comparison with human behavior.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as in “Blow, blow, thou winter wind,” creates a pleasing rhythm and draws attention to specific phrases.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds within words, not necessarily at the beginning. The repetition of the “z” sound in phrases relating to the cold can be an example.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without punctuation creates a flowing effect and mimics the relentless nature of both winter and human disappointment. Consider these lines:
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.The meaning is not complete until the next line is read, reflecting how grievances and forgotten acts linger in the mind.
- Imagery: Shakespeare uses vivid imagery to appeal to the reader’s senses. Phrases like “Blow, blow, thou winter wind,” “Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,” and “Thy sting is not so sharp” create a visceral experience of the cold and its discomfort.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects is central to the poem’s structure. The wind is described as having a “tooth” and a “breath,” and the sky “freezes,” allowing for a direct comparison between nature and human character.
- Simile: Although not overtly present with words like “like” or “as,” the entire poem functions as an extended simile. The discomfort of winter is compared to the pain of betrayal. The lines “Thou art not so unkind / As man’s ingratitude” and “That dost not bite so nigh / As benefits forgot” explicitly draw parallels between the two.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”
Understanding the specific poetic devices Shakespeare employs helps us appreciate the musicality and structural complexity of the poem.
- End Rhyme: The poem follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme, creating a pleasing and memorable rhythm. This contributes to the poem’s lyrical quality and enhances its emotional impact.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into two stanzas. The first focuses on the comparison between the winter wind and human ingratitude, while the second extends this comparison to forgotten kindnesses.
- Rhyme Scheme: As mentioned, the consistent ABAB rhyme scheme provides a sense of order and musicality.
- Refrain: The repeated phrase “Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly!” functions as a refrain, providing a counterpoint to the poem’s melancholic tone and suggesting resilience in the face of adversity. The “green holly” symbolizes enduring life and hope even in the midst of winter’s cold.
Quotes to be Used
The lines below are useful for a speech when discussing the negative attributes of mankind and the importance of resilience.
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.
This quote perfectly encapsulates the poem’s central argument: that emotional wounds can be far more damaging than physical ones. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of gratitude and the enduring power of human connection.