The Place 2 Be: Shakespeare's Sonnets

Critique of Sonnet 26

SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS

Theme: Wit
Content: A sonnet abundant with wit paradoxically claiming that the author lacks wit. Precious.

Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Thy merrit hath my duty strongly knit,
To thee I send this written embassage
To witness duty, not to show my wit;
Duty so great which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare in wanting words to show it,

A sonnet that more resembles a formal letter of apology from a servant to a Lord.

Duty is the over-riding emphasis here.

ss words also abound, as do many other twin-lettered words (merrit above is in the Quarto spelling).

wit is explicitly present throughout the sonnet, is embedded in words such as written and witness, is hidden in anagrams such as wanting, and is hidden in linked words such as show it.

it words are also highly prevalent throughout the sonnet playing on the paradox of the poet's alleged absence of wit in what he writes which actually abounds in this sonnet.

show is key to all quatrains in the sonnet and the couplet.

"which wit" must surely be a deliberately comical and witty sound bite. As these sonnets were written to be read out aloud, these 2 words, sounding like an owl or some other bird, would be an amusing way for the author to deliberately parody himself and demonstrate "poor wit" albeit in a masterfully contrived way.

Probable pun on the rhyme of knit and wit too, as in "nit-wit".

But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it,
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving
Points on me graciously with fair aspect,
And puts apparrell on my tattered loving
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect.

it words remain highly prevalent to the degree of an extremely unusual duplicate it rhyme and also appearing in reverse in Q2's wanting.

wit is explicitly referenced again as well as being hidden in words such as bestow it.

wit is reflected again via assonance in whatsoever, with and sweet.

The author's alleged bareness of wit is echoed by the subject's naked thought.

Twin-lettered wording continues (apparrell above is in the Quarto spelling).

Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.

An exceptionally reverential sonnet.

The boast here paradoxes the shallow boasts of those with proud titles in Sonnet 25.

Possible assonance on wit in how I do, subject to pronunciation.

Twin-lettered words conclude.

it appears in reverse in Till.

Unusual repeat of Till leading Q3 and the last line.

The bare of Q2 morphs to the dare of the couplet.

The formality of this sonnet may be deliberately echoed by Sonnet 126's valedictory sentiments. Their numbering (26 / 126) may be an intentional way of reinforcing that too.