Sonnet 75: So are you to my thoughts as food to life
So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
Or as sweet‑seasoned showers are to the ground;
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As ’twixt a miser and his wealth is found.
Now proud as an enjoyer, and anon
Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure;
Now counting best to be with you alone,
Then better’d that the world may see my pleasure:
Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,
And by and by clean starved for a look;
Possessing or pursuing no delight
Save what is had, or must from you be took.
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day,
Or gluttoning on all, or all away.
Understanding Sonnet 75
This sonnet explores the intense and often contradictory nature of love and desire. The speaker describes the beloved—traditionally thought to be a young man—as essential to his very existence. The poem is not merely a declaration of adoration; it delves into the anxieties, possessiveness, and fluctuating emotions that characterize deep attachment. The central idea revolves around an almost obsessive need for the beloved, a need that brings both joy and torment.
What You Should Know About Sonnet 75
Sonnet 75 is part of Shakespeare’s sequence of 154 sonnets, many of which are addressed to a “fair youth.” Scholars debate the identity of this individual, but the sonnets themselves provide a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of Renaissance relationships. The poem is celebrated for its vivid imagery, emotional honesty, and skillful use of language. It is a testament to Shakespeare’s ability to capture universal experiences of love, longing, and the human condition.
In‑Depth Analysis of Sonnet 75
Let’s explore the poem line by line, uncovering its layers of meaning and appreciating Shakespeare’s poetic craftsmanship.
Lines 1‑4: Essential Sustenance
So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
Or as sweet‑seasoned showers are to the ground;
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As ’twixt a miser and his wealth is found.
The opening quatrain uses powerful similes. “So are you to my thoughts as food to life” establishes the beloved’s vital importance, not just as pleasant thought but as a necessity. The second simile—“Or as sweet‑seasoned showers are to the ground”—evokes nourishment and growth, suggesting the beloved’s influence is life‑giving, like rain that allows things to bloom.
The following line introduces a paradox: “And for the peace of you I hold such strife.” The speaker suggests that achieving peace through this relationship involves inner conflict. This is clarified by the final line of the quatrain, “As ’twixt a miser and his wealth is found.” A miser, despite possessing wealth, is never truly content; he fears loss. Similarly, the speaker experiences tension between joy and fear, pleasure and possessiveness, highlighting the complex, contradictory nature of intense love.
Lines 5‑8: Pride and Possessiveness
Now proud as an enjoyer, and anon
Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure;
Now counting best to be with you alone,
Then better’d that the world may see my pleasure:
This quatrain explores the speaker’s fluctuating emotions. “Now proud as an enjoyer” reflects a moment of blissful satisfaction in having the beloved. The joy is quickly shadowed by anxiety: “Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure” expresses fear that time will take the beloved away. This fear fuels a desire for exclusive possession.
The line “Now counting best to be with you alone” suggests a selfish impulse to remain with the beloved, shutting out the world. Yet the speaker contradicts himself with “Then better’d that the world may see my pleasure,” indicating a desire for public acknowledgement of his happiness. The quatrain demonstrates the speaker’s emotional volatility and the interplay between pride, possessiveness, and the need for validation.
Lines 9‑12: Insatiable Desire
Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,
And by and by clean starved for a look;
Possessing or pursuing no delight
Save what is had, or must from you be took.
The imagery of “feasting” and “starved” conveys the speaker’s insatiable desire. “Sometime all full with feasting on your sight” describes a moment of complete fulfillment, while “and by and by clean starved for a look” highlights the swift return of longing. This cycle of satiation and deprivation is relentless.
The line “Possessing or pursuing no delight / Save what is had, or must from you be took” reveals a deep emotional dependency. The speaker finds pleasure only in the beloved—either possessing him or pursuing his attention. Everything else feels meaningless, suggesting an unhealthy obsession that borders on control.
Lines 13‑14: The Cycle of Love
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day,
Or gluttoning on all, or all away.
The final couplet encapsulates the poem’s central theme. The speaker’s existence is defined by extremes: he alternates between longing (“pine”) and satiation (“surfeit”). The last line compares his desire to an uncontrolled appetite, consuming everything the beloved offers or withdrawing completely when his needs aren’t met. This reinforces the idea that his life is governed by this intense, cyclical relationship.
Literary and Poetic Devices in Sonnet 75
Shakespeare skillfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to enhance the poem’s meaning and impact.
- Metaphor: The entire poem functions as an extended metaphor for the consuming power of love.
- Simile: “So are you to my thoughts as food to life” and “Or as sweet‑seasoned showers are to the ground” establish the beloved’s importance.
- Imagery: Vivid images such as “feasting,” “starved,” and “gluttoning” create a strong sensory experience.
- Paradox: The line “And for the peace of you I hold such strife” presents a seemingly contradictory statement that highlights the complexity of love.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, for example in “Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure.”
- Iambic Pentameter: The poem is written in iambic pentameter, giving it a natural and musical rhythm.
- Sonnet Form: The poem adheres to the traditional Shakespearean (or English) sonnet form: fourteen lines, three quatrains, and a concluding couplet.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, adding to its musicality and structure.
Quotes for Reflection
Consider these lines for use in speeches or writings about love and relationships:
“So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
Or as sweet‑seasoned showers are to the ground.”
These lines powerfully convey the essential nature of love and its ability to sustain and nourish. They highlight the idea that love is not simply a feeling but a fundamental need.
This detailed analysis of Sonnet 75 should provide a comprehensive understanding of the poem’s themes, structure, and literary devices. It offers a starting point for further exploration and appreciation of Shakespeare’s masterful poetry.