In sonnet 48, the speaker dramatizes the effects of an audience whose poverty of intelligence and faith might culminate in disdain for his dedicated art.
First Quatrain: “How careful was I when I took my way”
In the first quatrain, the speaker exclaims that he has always been very careful as he made his way through the vast storehouse of metaphors and other poetic devices that the world of art presents to the artist/poet. He insists on addressing only the most profound topics while using the best words he can creatively summon.
This speaker/poet has always sought truth while keeping his art from the “hands of falsehood.” He has always insisted that his readers be able to trust his art implicitly, and that he would not let his creations deteriorate into poetastry as so many artists are wont to do.
Second Quatrain: “But thou, to whom my jewels trifles are”
In the second quatrain, the speaker/artist addresses the profane reader who fails to understand the genuineness of this speaker’s art, those who think his “jewels trifles are.” This speaker is aware that there will always be those who denigrate the genuine and uplift the mediocre. To a dedicated artist, such an attitude is his “greatest grief.”
The counterfeit art aficionado who has merely a superficial interest and understanding is a vulture who preys on art as a “vulgar thief.” This speaker cares first and foremost about the truth of his art, but he knows not every supposed poetry lover is dedicated to understanding and truth as he is. His art is his “most worthy comfort” and his “best of dearest and mine only care.” He lives in the presence of mind that the “vulgar thief” will be dismissed in time.
Third Quatrain: “Thee have I not lock’d up in any chest”
The speaker will not retain the false attitudes of others in his mind. And although he knows he will be faced with such attitudes, they will not divert him, because his more important feelings are kept in “the gentle closure of [his] breast.”
False lovers “come and part,” but this speaker will not be hampered by the fickle, the pusillanimous poseurs and others who lack his commitment.
The Couplet: “And even thence thou wilt be stol’n, I fear”
In the couplet, the speaker summarizes his thoughts about all degradation and feint-hearted seekers, as he claims, “truth proves thievish for a prize so dear.” Truth will always snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and will always prove to be stronger and more resilient than the falsehoods that fill the minds of poetasters and amateurs who gape beyond their ability.
Other Shakespeare articles: Who is Shakespeare?
Sonnet Commentaries: Sonnet 1, Sonnet 2, Sonnet 3, Sonnet 4, Sonnet 5, Sonnet 6, Sonnet 7, Sonnet 8, Sonnet 9, Sonnet 10, Sonnet 11, Sonnet 12, Sonnet 13, Sonnet 14, Sonnet 15, Sonnet 16, Sonnet 17, Sonnet 18, Sonnet 19, Sonnet 20, Sonnet 21, Sonnet 22, Sonnet 23, Sonnet 24, Sonnet 25, Sonnet 26, Sonnet 27, Sonnet 28, Sonnet 29, Sonnet 30, Sonnet 31, Sonnet 32, Sonnet 33, Sonnet 34, Sonnet 35, Sonnet 36, Sonnet 37, Sonnet 38, Sonnet 39, Sonnet 40, Sonnet 41, Sonnet 42, Sonnet 43, Sonnet 44, Sonnet 45, Sonnet 46, Sonnet 47, Sonnet 73, Sonnet 96, Sonnet 116, Sonnet 126, Sonnet 130, Sonnet 138
