Philosophy in Literature

of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

A Philosophical Study of the Sonnets of Shakespeare

April J. Rivera
Part I. Lesson
TARGET AUDIENCE
For an in-depth study of the given sonnets, I think the most appropriate class
would be my English majors especially the second year because they have a subject
named English American Literature-Eng 115. Also, our fourth year students can also
analyse these poems in their Literary Criticism class.
Strategies
A. For second year students:
They will be grouped into three. Each group will have one sonnet to analyse. Their
analysis would be guided by the following questions:
1. Identify the elements of poetry in the sonnet: a. meter b. rhyme c. figures of
speech used d. theme e. stanza.
2. Paraphrase the sonnet by lines without consulting the internet.
3. Discuss the answers in class.
B. For fourth year students:
They will be grouped into three. Each group will have one sonnet to analyse. The
groups will have the following task:
Sonnet 16
1. Use archetypal, psychoanalytic, and symbolic approaches to explain the sonnet.
2. Present the explanation in class.
Sonnet 96
1. Use parallel stories and literary pieces to justify the message of the sonnet to the
youth.
2. Present the output in class.
Sonnet 29
1. Use biographical and historical approaches to explain the story behind the
sonnet.
2. Present the explanation in class.

APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Part II. ANALYSIS

Introduction
The opposite of war is not peace, its creation, says the lyrics of the song La
Vie Boheme performed in the movie and musical Rent. The statement is a
contradiction to the usual belief that peace is the antidote of war. Initially, war and
peace cannot co-exist because they occupy the opposite side of the spectrum. On
the other hand, if one would consider the effect of war which is death, the first
statement which makes creation as the opposite of war would make sense. Since
death is the effect of war, in order to reverse its effect, procreation is a must.
Death is the opposite of life hence to reverse death one should live. This is
one of the so many underlying themes of the sonnets written by Shakespeare. In
several of his sonnets, he emphasized that though death is inevitable and is a part
of life, people should try to evade death or outsmart it simply by procreation.
Having children is like leaving a legacy that would testify to the existence of a
person once that person ceased to exist.
In addition, Shakespeares passion about cheating death also underlines his
firm belief in love. When people fall in love and decide to be together, they can have
children. The children would serve as their link to the world and a way of being
remembered by the world after they die. Consequently, love opens the possibilities
of immortality for anyone. Since immortality is a way of cheating death and
Shakespeare believes that immortality is having children. This is also supported by
the Bible because one of the orders of God to Adam and Eve is to Go forth and
multiply.
Furthermore, the foundation of love is its being true. The truthfulness of love
lies on its being unchanging, lasting, and consistent as reflected in Sonnet 116
wherein the persona lectures the reader on how to identify true love. In most cases,
as mentioned several times in the sonnets of Shakespeare, time is the enemy of
love and it follows that time is also the enemy of immortality. This concept is
echoed in Sonnet 116, 29 and 60:
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beautys brow,
Feeds on the rarities of natures truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:

Aside from defying time and cheating death by having children, the persona
in his sonnets also urges the readers to use other means to leave their marks in
this world. The other method is through words like poetry. Just like what Percy
Shelley stated in his Ode to the West Wind.
And, by the incantation of this verse,
APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Scatter, as from an unextinguished hearth

Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!
Another way is through Art. Art pieces are lasting. This is a reality pointed
out by John Keats in his Ode on a Grecian Urn:
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
Beauty is truth, truth beauty"---that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.
Aesthetics is part of life. Art is a selective re-creation of reality. Its recreation is controlled by humans unlike nature and reality, which can only be
controlled as pre-destined. Since death is part of reality, art can counteract it and
make immortality its reality. Furthermore, humans have always used art to build
abstracts upon abstract therefore the abstract form can be shaped in such a way
that it redefines the perimeters of reality and reinforces immortality.
Structure of a Shakespearean Sonnet
The sonnets of Shakespeare have a definite format. It is composed of three
quatrains and a couplet. The first and second quatrains normally ask a question.
Normally, the question is about moral dilemmas like the real value of beauty, the
trespassing characteristic of time which destroys both love and life, the manner in
which a person should face death, the role of art and poetry, and the painfulness of
loving. Furthermore, the third quatrain and the couplet provide the answer to the
question. In some cases, the couplet serves as the conclusion or the summary of
the entire sonnet.
SONNET 16
But wherefore do not you a mightier way
Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time?
And fortify yourself in your decay
With means more blessed than my barren rhyme?
Now stand you on the top of happy hours;
And many maiden gardens, yet unset
With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers,
Much liker than your painted counterfeit:
So should the lines of life that life repair,
Which this (Time's pencil, or my pupil pen),
Neither in inward worth nor outward fair,
Can make you live yourself in eyes of men.
To give away yourself keeps yourself still,
And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.

APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Summary
The persona tries to convince the reader to fight time. Time is described as a
bloody tyrant. Tyrant as defined in the Encarta Dictionaries is an absolute ruler who
exercises power cruelly and unjustly. In ancient Greece, a tyrant is a ruler who took
control of a state without legal sanction and governed with absolute power. In
consonance, time as described in the sonnet causes decay. Decay could mean
death. In the first two lines, the persona asked the reader to find a stronger way of
fighting time. In the next lines, the persona suggested ways on how to fight Time
by first fighting getting old and dying. In the next quatrain, the persona told the
reader that in order to fight death (decay), the reader should spend time in
maiden garden with virtuous wish would bear living flowers. These metaphors
could be interpreted as the persona telling the reader to get married (happy hours,
virtuous wish) and have children (living flowers).
The last quatrain further reinforces the argument of the persona that one
should fight death by saying that doing so would make someone live in reality and
live to the fullest unlike simply existing (much liker than your painted counterfeit)
therefore life or living should repair life, this way, one could live beyond the
standards of men (can make you live yourself in the eyes of men). According to the
persona, living is the only way of enjoying life as opposed to just existing because
of being beautiful (outward fair) and/or having a good soul (inward worth).
The couplet urges the reader to move because if the reader will only stand
still then the reader will just give everything to Time as it slowly rots life at its core.
Also, the persona dares the persona to live on his own term thus the statement
you must live, drawn in your own sweet skill.
Metaphysics-Whats out there?
Basically, Shakespeare painted a reality by describing the ugly things as well
as the sad realities in life. He did not shy away from confronting death. In fact, in
most of his writings, it is showed that he accepts death as a natural progression of
life. His unflinching acceptance of death and the role that time plays is basically the
reality.
Epistemology-How do I know about it?
In Sonnet 16, Shakespeare used the imagery and contrasting ideas to
communicate death. For example, he used the word decay to refer to dying. The
use of decay signifies slow rotting of something. As opposed to doom or end which
reflects a one shot deal. To counteract the word decay, he used gardens and
living flowers which refer to life, living, or procreating. He also used happy
hours. Instead of just saying hours to refer to time or existence, the adjective
happy was added to show that living is not merely existing but should be happy
living.
APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Ethics-What should I do?

After painting the reality he believes in, Shakespeare tried to convince the
reader to cheat death. Instead of just complying and giving willing acceptance to
the power of death, one should try their best to fight it. He also offered the way to
fight it which is to have children and living ones life to the fullest. Struggle against
death is also a common concept among poets such as in Do not go gentle into that
goodnight by Dylan Thomas, wherein the reader is asked to rage against the
dying of the light.
Further, the persona seeks immortality not in the literal sense of the word but
immortality by leaving a legacy. This same sentiment is stated in the poem of
Christina Georgina Rossetti entitled Remember me when I am gone away.
SONNET 96
Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness,
Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport;
Both grace and faults are loved of more and less;
Thou makst faults graces that to thee resort.
As on the finger of a thrond queen
The basest jewel will be well esteemed,
So are those errors that in thee are seen
To truths translated, and for true things deemed.
How many lambs might the stern wolf betray,
If like a lamb he could his looks translate;
How many gazers mightst thou lead away,
If thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state!
But do not so. I love thee in such sort,
As thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
Summary
In this sonnet, the persona is talking to someone who is young. The persona
said that his youth and playfulness are both considered as a good trait and a flaw.
Both qualities are loved. It is also compared to an image of a queen wearing a
simple jewelry. Although the jewelry is simple, since the queen wore it, it became
regal in every way. Another comparison is that the young guy in the poem is like a
wolf dressed as a lamb. Because he is dressed like a lamb, the lamb might follow
him even when he leads them astray and ends up eating them. In the last couplet,
the persona requested the young guy not to use his charm and beauty in a bad way
because if he do, it will not just be him who would be judged by others, but since
he is connected to the persona, the persona would also be judged badly.
Metaphysics-Whats out there?

APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Appearances are deceiving. This maxim is apt in this situation. An angelic

face could conceal a demonic personality. A beautiful rose could be hosting a vicious
worm. A hand thrust above you while you are hanging by a cliff could either be a
hand that would raise you or push you.
The reality as reflected in the sonnet talks about how a young guy with looks,
charm, and even lustful tendencies can get away with what he wants to do simply
because he is young. The society allows a certain lee way towards young people
because they can rationalize that these young people do not know what they are
doing. This is supported even by law since someone who is not of legal age cannot
be tried as an adult. In the Philippines, it is impossible to charge or punish s kid
lawfully speaking if he do something wrong. Furthermore, several laws had been
passed which aimed to protect the young-making it unlawful to hit your own child
and the use of punishment in classes.
Epistemology-How do I know about it?
Using metaphors and imagery, Shakespeare established the reality he
wanted to show. First, he used the queen wearing a simple jewelry as a metaphor
for a youngster with flawed beauty. Both become acceptable in the eyes of society
simply because the queen is a queen and the youngster is young. Even ugliness can
be transformed into beauty depending on the dominant beliefs of the society.
Second is the metaphor of a wolf dressed as a lamb. The youngster is likened
into a wolf masquerading as a lamb. Using his mask, he waylaid the sheep and he
can control what he would do with the sheep-whether to lead them to their death or
to save them. A child can be forgiven by society when he does something wrong
because of his age.
The same premise is applied in the characterization of Finnick Odair in the
novel Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. He was a very handsome boy and the
other tributes thought that he was weak. He killed his competition and rose as the
victor. He was accepted, lauded, and honoured by their society despite the fact that
he killed the other tributes. But that is not the point the writer wants to emphasize.
The writer wants to emphasize the fact that Finnich used his face to fool everyone
that
he
was
not
a
strong
contender.
A second character in the same series used this strategy to win the Hunger
Games. Johanna Mason pretended to be weakling until everyone did not mind her
because they thought she would be an easy kill but she turned into a violent person
and became the victor. Just like the lambs believing the wolf that he is one of them.
When the world had gained their trust, he started to lead them far from the group
and started eating them.
Ethics-What should I do?

APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

In research, a writer needs to establish the need for his study in the first
chapter of the paper. This part is called situation analysis. In this part, the writer
would explain how he came up with the study and why there is a need for it.
In the poem, the persona stated the conundrum-youth, its merits and flaws.
After hailing the youth with praise and criticisms combined, the persona cautioned
the youngster of not using his fairness to destroy or fool others. If the youngster do
choose to do wrong, then, he would be judged by society and since the persona is
related to the youngster then he would also be judged by society.
SONNET 29
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 curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring 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 thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Summary
The persona in the poem seems to be undergoing hardships. The first two
lines say that he is in disgrace in terms of fortune and reputation (mens eyes).
The second line says that he is alone and sad. The third line tells about his prayers
and shouts to God (heaven) but those were unheard (deaf heaven). He also had
bouts of self-pity (look upon myself and curse my fate). The first quatrain
effectively stated the situation of the persona.
The second quatrain talks about the wishes of the persona. The first wish is
to be like his friend. The second wish is to have friends. He wants the skill of
another person while also wanting another persons freedom.
The third quatrain, on the other hand, negated his suffering. He mentioned
that although he hated himself for being pathetic, alone, and sad, when he thinks of
a certain person (haply I think thee), he is comforted (then my state, like to the
lark at break of day arising from sullen earth, sings hymns at heavens gate).
The couplet ends the sonnet by saying that the love of a person brings him
more than wealth and he will not exchange his place with kings because the love he
receives is more important than being a royalty or any happiness that material
things can bring.
APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Metaphysics-Whats out there?

The reality reflected in the sonnet is something that at least one time in our
life we experience. It is a reminder that life is not all sunshine and butterflies.
Sometimes, the seemingly calm and serene sky can turn violent and stormy. It is
not about being unlucky but it is basically about balance. As the maxim aptly
pointed out behind every cloud is a silver lining. In the Korean drama series
School 2013, the literature teacher recited these lines of poetry:
There is no flower that would bloom without being shaken.
All the pretty flowers in this world all bloom while being shaken.
While being shaken, it straightened its stem.
There is no love that would leave without being shaken.
Where is there a flower that would bloom without being whipped?
All the shining flowers in this world all bloom while being whipped.
While being whipped by the wind and rain, the flower petals bloomed warmly.
There is no life that goes by without being whipped.
These lines also show the reality that all human beings have to undergo pain
and hurt, sadness and suffering, in order to be the person that they are. No one
has it easy in this world. All of us have a different journey we take and that journey
can take us to places we do not want to go, hurt when we do not want to be, bleed
even when we are scared of bloodall of these are parts of how we are
transformed, tilled, honed, forged, etched, refined, scraped, and fine-tuned to be
the best that we can be. The same idea is expressed in the following quotes:
I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you
can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're
right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and
sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.
Marilyn Monroe
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Epistemology-How do I know about it?
Several mythologies around the world maintain the concept of duality: yin
and yang, light and dark, good and evil, angels and demons, Angra Mainyo and
APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Ahura Mazda. These dualities normally occupy both ends of the spectrum. In the
sonnet, the contradiction was strengthened by the first two quatrains and then
negated by the last quatrain and the couplet.
In order to establish how the writer experienced what he reflected in the
story, it is necessary to research about him. In 1592, Shakespeare faced several
difficulties in his professional life. First, he lost his job because of a severe outbreak
of the plague. Because of the plague, theaters were closed and he could not go on
stage. Second was the criticism that he received from Robert Greene who said that
Shakespeare was a pompous, scheming, and vicious ingrate while achieving
success by using other people who have more talent than him:
There is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his
Tygers heart wrapt in a Players hide, supposes he is as well able to
bombast out a blanke verse as the best of you; and, beeing an
absolute Johannes factotum, is in his owne conceit the only
Shakescene in a countrey.
The first instance justifies his claim of when in disgrace with fortune while
the second one pertains to his when in disgraceand mens eyes.
Ethics-What should I do?
The answer is love. As stated in the sonnet, the persona will not swap places
even with kings, despite his disgraced status, simply because he has the love of a
certain person. Having that love is enough to raise him from the gutter into a place
where sunshine and joy are abundant:
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;
This is consistent to the themes of Shakespeares sonnets, love can be
painful but it can be ones greatest shield against the world. Love binds people
together and it transcends time, boundaries, social classes, and nationalities. As
stated in the song, You are a Miracle:
There can be no greater love,
I am the light of the world,
You are the light of the world,
We are the light of the world,
We are shining bright together
Im gonna light up the world
And shine bright like the stars,
Come together, there is no greater love
APRIL RIVERA

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

You are the light of the world

We shine together like diamonds and pearls
Love is undoubtedly one of the most amazing powers in the world whether
you are giving it or receiving. This is a sentiment that so many poets, authors, and
mystics have expressed in more ways than one:
I have for the first time found what I can truly loveI have found you. You are my
sympathymy better selfmy good angelI am bound to you with a strong
attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is
conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life,
wrap my existence about youand, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and
me in one.
Charlotte Bront, Jane Eyre
You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.
William W. Purkey
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out
hate: only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and
Speeches
*In most cases, the author cannot relate Aesthetics and Politics to the
reviewed Sonnets.

REFERENCES
www.goodreads.com
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/16.html
http://nfs.sparknotes.com/sonnets/sonnet_96.html
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/29.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/shakesonnets/
Credits to the following:
School 2013-Korean Drama shown by KBS
You are a Miracle-SBS Christmas Special
Rent, a movie and a musical
John Keats-Ode on a Grecian Urn
Percy Shelley-Ode to the West Wind
Hunger Games-Suzanne Collins
APRIL RIVERA

1
0

Philosophy in Literature
of the Sonnets of ShakespeareFebruary 13, 2016

A Philosophical Study

Marilyn Monroe
Charlotte Bront
William W. Purkey
Martin Luther King Jr
J.R.R. Tolkien

APRIL RIVERA

1
1