I want to understand poetry a little better but in order to do this i need a little help from my good English friends. So here is a famous poem by Williams Shakespeare:
When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and cure my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed
Desireing this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what i most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply i think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For they sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then ii scorn to change my state with kings.
I think i understand what Williams is saying but i could use some professional help.
8 comments:
This is a great one! I started it and then remembered that I once had it memorized....must have been 15 years ago now....
It's the contrast of how you feel when you've been criticized, scolded or have failed. You get wrapped up in how badly you feel and wish that you could just be someone else. Then, you recall what it is to be loved by someone...I forget the context for this sonnet, but I suppose he is referring to the love of a woman, but it could be the love of God. Then, you realize what you would be losing, being someone else, and you become content again, just because of that special relationship.
I didn't just do your homework for you, did I?
Look for a box at the Warners for you!
yeah...not much of a Shakespeare expert myself. but josh sure loves shakespeare...you ought to discuss it with him. some say he was the greatest philosopher of his time. ironic isn't it.
no you didn't just do my homework for me Ness..i'm really just trying to study poetry for myself. lol...and Now i'm excited for Christmas..lol
Elizabeth- who is the great scholar of their time...Josh or Shakespeare? lol...i might just talk to him about it.
well ONe thing I know..when quoting a writer..one generally refers to his last name ..not his first as in--I kind of understand what SHAKESPEARE is saying.."..if you are hookin up with an english dude..you may need to know that.
Oh..and always always always put the TITLE so the reader can read it in context...
I think the title is like Sonnet 29 or something like that, right? Not very helpful.
Well, the book I got it out of didn't tell me a title...lol..and besides The English dude will get over it..i don't always quote an author by the first name...i just think it sounds cool. I break a lot of English rules because i think it sounds cool...maybe the english dude will break me of those bad habits..lol
well honey..believe me..there are a LOT more rules out there to be broken...Follow the ENGLISH rules..break the other ones..they are a LOT more fun anyway
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