Shakespeare

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun – Shakespeare

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Shakespeare’s sonnet 130 is a little different from many more popular sonnets and the summer day comparison –

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
   And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
   As any she belied with false compare.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

All aspects of her face are decried in in the first stanza. In the second stanza a case of body odour. And in the third stanza the decry of her voice. And it looks as though she could be flat footed. Not a pretty picture. However, Shakespeare does open with the first line of that stanza saying I love to hear her voice. The rhyming couplet states that despite all the comparisons in the aforementioned stanzas she is incomparable and rare. A unique being that he loves.

Why do we … compare ourselves with others … always look for ways to improve ourselves … are seldom happy with the way we are … always seeking perfection … perhaps subtle where change is gently mentioned … trying to improve relationships … on a reciprocal basis of course!

Well, despite such considerations when we look at those we love and those close to us, we are usually more caring. The great contrast in the rhyming couplet is to give acceptance of traits and shortcomings. In this poem they are highly valued. To the extent of showing incomparable appreciation to one very precious person.

Sonnet 60 – Shakespeare

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Well the New Year is well and truly over … and that bright spark moment of celebration too … and days flow on relentlessly … like the waves in the sea as in this sonnet by Shakespeare …

 Sonnet 60 

Like as the waves make towards the pebbl'd shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.

Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.

Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:

And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.

…. the sea quite an appropriate metaphor for time as one minute flows to the next … in contrast to the discrete increments in measurement as we look at our watch … the resultant efect on life flows on in similar manner from moment to moment whether a raging bushfire or winning at point in the Australian Open

… this sonnet is a sad lament at what time does from being an initial gift and providing joy in youth to destroying facial beauty by the lines in the brow due to age defined as parallels in the third stanza

… I always associate the word nativity with Christ’s birth, but of course it refers to being born and experiencing light … if the crooked eclipses are our eyes then it is quite so that they do lose appreciation of beauty with age … especially in the days of Shakespeare when glasses were not prevalent

… appaprently it was written in connection of a young aquaintance of Shakespeare so that the person concerned will forever be remembered as a worthy sole due to the poetic immortality of the last line … assuming these words from Shakespeare will live forever … and lets face it Shakespeare is now spread wide across the world due to the internet … and I guess by this Post I have added to that fact

… I will make a positive comment … joy can be found in every stage of life … with suitable adjustment in how this is facilitated as we age … and regarding time … we are a gift with a use-by date … it is up to us to unpack this gift and make best use … and of course thanks for reading my words LOL

Responding to Shakespeare – Emotional Extremes

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Words often give extremes in emotional feeling … poetry and the arts are reknown for such expression … here is a well-known example from Shakespeare and Macbeth …

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
signifying nothing

Macbeth (5.iv.18-27)

Responding to these words at the other end of the spectrum ….

Today, and today, and today
in marvellous paradise
absorbing second by second
the full cup of divine love
where all our tomorrows have a new sun
aglow in glorious light, forever shining.
It is the tale of a wise-man,
alive in the knowledge of the forever now
full of beauty and joy,
signifying everything.

The release of such words is often thought of as an aid in dealing with emotional disturbance.

And words can become close friends in dealing with difficult situations. The outstanding example of this is ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’.

Have a great day whatever great – great being defined as appropriate to your situation!