Sonnet XXXVIII
How can my muse want subject to invent,
While thou dost breathe, that pour’st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
O! give thy self the thanks, if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight;
For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee,
When thou thy self dost give invention light?
Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to outlive long date.
If my slight muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
Summary of Sonnet XXXVIII
- Popularity of “Sonnet XXXVIII”: Composed by William Shakespeare, “Sonnet XXXVIII” is one of the 154 sonnets that he wrote during the Elizabethan era in the 16th century. It was published as part of a collection of Shakespeare’s sonnets, which was first published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe. Although Shakespeare himself did not authorize the collection, it, nonetheless, helped him to establish himself as a prominent poet of the time and introduced his sonnets to a wider audience. “Sonnet XXXVIII” stands out for its use of the extended metaphor of the speaker’s love for the young man as a debt that he cannot repay, and for its celebration of the young man’s inspiration and creativity. The sonnet’s enduring popularity and its place in the literary canon make it a testament to Shakespeare’s skill as a poet.
- “Sonnet XXXVIII” As a Representative of Love and Creativity: “Sonnet XXXVIII” by William Shakespeare is a representative example of the poet’s exploration of the themes of love and creativity. The speaker, who happens to be the poet himself, expresses frustration at the limitations of his muse but finds inspiration and solace in the young man he addresses. Throughout the sonnet, Shakespeare celebrates the young man’s ability to inspire creativity, elevating him to the status of the muses of Greek mythology. The sonnet features Shakespeare’s characteristic use of iambic pentameter and poetic devices such as metaphor and alliteration, which contribute to its musicality and rhythm.
- Major Themes in “Sonnet XXXVIII”: Sonnet explores several major themes, including the power of love and inspiration to fuel creativity. The speaker expresses his frustration at the limitations of his muse and his inability to come up with new subjects to write about. However, he finds inspiration and solace in the young man he addresses in the poem, whom he sees as the embodiment of creativity and beauty. The sonnet also celebrates the young man’s ability to inspire the speaker’s creativity, elevating his status to be a divine motivating power. Additionally, the sonnet touches on the idea of the eternal nature of art, suggesting that the young man’s inspiration could lead to “When thou thy self dost give invention light” (line 8).
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Sonnet XXXVIII
William Shakespeare used various literary devices to enhance the intended impact of his poem. Some of the major literary devices in this sonnet are as follows.
- Alliteration: It is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in words that are close together. Example of “How can my muse want subject to invent” (Line 1) shows the use of “m” sound creating a sense of creativity.
- Allusion: It is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of literature. An example of an allusion is “Be thou the tenth Muse” (Line 9). The speaker refers to the nine muses from Greek mythology.
- Apostrophe: It means addressing an absent or imaginary person or an abstraction. An example of an apostrophe is “O! Give thyself the thanks” (Line 5). The speaker addresses the subject of the sonnet, thanking him for inspiring him to write.
- Assonance: It is the repetition of vowel sounds in words that are close together. An example of assonance is “If my slight muse do please these curious days” (Line 11). The repeated “i” sound in “slight” and “please” creates a musical effect.
- Consonance: It is the repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close together. An example is “Eternal numbers to outlive long date” (Line 12). The repeated “n” and “l” sound in “eternal,” “numbers,” and “outlive” create a sense of finality and endurance.
- Hyperbole: It is an exaggeration for emphasis or effect. An example is “Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth / Than those old nine which rhymers invocate” (Lines 9-10). The speaker exaggerates the subject’s worth and suggests that they are even more inspiring than the nine muses.
- Irony: It is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. An example is “If my slight muse do please these curious days, / The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise” (Lines 13-14). The speaker suggests that their writing is of little consequence (“slight muse”), but also acknowledges that if it is well-received.
- Personification: It is giving human qualities to something that is not human. An example is “When thou thy self dost give invention light” (Line 8). The subject of the sonnet is given the ability to give “invention” (i.e., inspiration or ideas) light as if it were a person.
- Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Example: “vulgar paper” (Line 4). The paper represents the common or ordinary nature of the subject matter that the speaker’s muse can’t invent.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Sonnet XXXVIII
Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is an analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.
- Diction: The choice of words used in a literary work. An example is “Thine own sweet argument” (Line 3), where the use of “sweet” portrays a positive and affectionate tone towards the subject of the poem.
- End Rhyme: The repetition of the same sounds at the end of lines in a poem. Examples are “rehearse” and “verse” as they rhyme with each other.
- Meter: The rhythmic structure of a poem, determined by the number and pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. This sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables and follows the pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
- Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of end rhymes in a poem. This sonnet follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
- Poem Type: A sonnet is a type of poem that traditionally consists of fourteen lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter.
- Stanza: This sonnet consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza).
- Tone: The attitude or mood conveyed by the writer in a literary work. The tone of this sonnet is affectionate and reverent towards the subject of the poem, the speaker’s muse.
Quotes to be Used
This quote celebrates the inspiration and creativity that the speaker’s muse brings to his work, elevating her to the status of the mythical Tenth Muse and emphasizing her value and importance in his life. It can be used to inspire and honor those who inspire creativity and imagination in others.
Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate.
