Shakespeare Sonnet 78

‘So oft have I invok’d thee for my Muse’

Oct 3, 2008 Linda Sue Grimes

The speaker in sonnet 78 addresses his Muse with appreciation for her ever constant influence and power that elevates his art above lesser artists.

First Quatrain: “So oft have I invok’d thee for my Muse”

In the first quatrain of sonnet 78, the speaker is addressing his subject “love,” which he reveals that he has so often “invok’d for his] Muse.” The sonnets all mesh together the theme and subject, concentrating on the speaker’s talent for poetry creation and his fascination for and interest in “love” and “truth.” At times, he addresses the poem itself and at other times he focuses on his subjects. Here is addressing his favorite subject “love.”

He claims that “love” has provided him aid “in [his] verse.” Other subjects from time to time are attracted to his “alien pen,” but under the influence of love, which he takes as his Muse, he is able to bring forth his “poesy.”

Second Quatrain: “Thine eyes, that taught the dumb on high to sing”

His favorite subject is akin to the singing of angels; even more astoundingly, the eyes of love have “taught the dumb on high to sing.” The remarkable healing power of love even teaches “heavy ignorance” “to fly.” The “lofty” rarified air of love even “add[s] feathers to the learned’s wing.” Those who are already bright become brilliant through this all pervading, shining love.

This love furthermore “give[s] grace a double majesty.” These hyperbolic statements serve to underscore the exceptional quality of life that true, unconditional love offers as it effects and flourishes in the hands of a master craftsman the art of poetry.

Third Quatrain: “Yet be most proud of that which I compile”

The speaker then imparts to his Muse, his love, that she can be “proud” of what the speaker does in her favor. The Muse is the “influence.” It has come directly from her. She can take pride knowing the positive creations she helps create are shining examples of her high quality.

The speaker then compares his use of the Muse to that of other artists and find them lacking. In other poets’ art, the Muse serves simply to correct “style,” and even though the Muse’s “grace” may be well represented, it lacks the substance of the accomplished craftsman.

The Couplet: “But thou art all my art, and dost advance”

The speaker reveals the difference between mere style and substance. While other artists rely on the Muse for cosmetic purposes, this speaker says, “thou art all my art.” His art represents all aspects of the Muse’s power, and thus his art “do[th] advance / As high as learning my rude ignorance.”

As usual, the speaker remains humble, giving credit to higher power, for he, as a poor servant, must always remain in certain “rude ignorance.”

Other Shakespeare articles: Who is Shakespeare?

Sonnet Commentaries: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 96, 116, 126, 130, 138, 146

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