Term Paper Outline:

“To be or not to be….” For most it leaves no question as to who wrote these infamous words. William Shakespeare is regarded by some as the greatest author within all of the English language. Regardless of one’s true opinion of Shakespeare’s writings, they continue to cycle their way from one generation to the next. His works still hold significant value within all levels of academic teachings. Shakespeare’s literatures range from poems and plays to sonnets. Once he gathered the notion of how the style of blank verse operated, he began to cultivate it into something unique and one he could call his very own. His latest works was that of sonnets, in which were found to be the last of his non-dramatic works to be printed. It is not certain whether any of the themes within his sonnets have a direct correlation to real life individuals, but one could see the underlying humanistic nature that lies within the lines. In William Shakespeare’s works Sonnet 20, Sonnet 62, and Sonnet 12 he thoroughly develops each of the following; motifs, dictions, and internal rhythms. Within the sub sequential paragraphs one will uncover the explanations, analyzation, and evaluations of each of the three selected sonnets.
In Sonnet 20, Shakespeare takes on the concept of homosexuality as the central motif found throughout this particular sonnet. In the beginning, the reader is drawn in by these concrete diction characteristics of a charming and beautiful woman, “with nature’s own hand painted.” Using this type of diction Shakespeare is able to create this vivid appearance of a beautiful woman for the reader. Shortly thereafter, Shakespeare states, “but not acquainted with shifting change as in false woman’s fashion,” meaning he has a woman’s outward appearance, but he does not possess the inward characteristics of a woman. Allowing for a plot twist leaving the reader puzzled only to uncover the underlying person through concrete diction in the following lines. Shakespeare continues by saying, “A man in hue of all hues in his controlling.” It is within this line that the main character represents not only all that man stands for but has the control of all men within his appealing persona. The depiction goes further in describing him as gaining the sexual attention of both men and the jealousy tendencies of woman. Originally, Shakespeare develops these physical qualities that this man possesses, but it is in that line that Shakespeare pursues more tangible qualities within his word choices. Shakespeare declares the emotions and ideas of both sexes thus, creating abstract diction within this work. Men long to look at him and woman pose him as a threat. Men want to be with him and women believe him to be taking away from the men they could be experiencing. By allowing the protagonist to be considered a homosexual, raised quite the scandal for Shakespeare to be writing of during this overtly conservative era (1600’s). Some say Shakespeare took a leap of faith in writing this and in turn allowing the world to be exposed to his true colors on how he felt about men. Regardless of how Shakespeare is perceived by mankind, he provided us all with a glimpse into a sonnet that explores a series of motifs that are geared towards homosexuality and natural feelings of reaction.
Throughout Shakespeare’s work of the Sonnet 62, one can discover the reoccurring motif of sin. The specific sin that is illustrated here is lack of humility, or as Shakespeare refers to it, “self-love.” He continues in saying that there is no home remedy or cure to such as sin. Shakespeare writes this sonnet in the most hubris of ways, constructing the protagonist to contrive beliefs that no one looks as he does for he is superior above all the rest, “as I all other in all worth surmount.” But the true struggle of the protagonist is not with humility but within this inward battle between reality and the human mindset. “But, when my glass shows me myself indeed, beated and chapped,” He is not as he remembers to be in his mind for in the reflection projected by the mirror has shown the true age and what others perceived daily. Shakespeare gives the mirror the ability to reflect not just an image, but also, the truth. Thus, paving the way in the personification of the glass mirror found in Sonnet 62. Now seeing the reality of it all he questions who and what he was praising all along. Surprised at the vanity, he saw a change must occur. Shakespeare tells a story of human perception, human nature, and its desire to long for everything we are not. Here in sonnet 62, one finds the main character in visioning something he is not and loses all direct grasps on reality. Shakespeare tries to convey that it is important not to engulf ones self with the sin of no humility, yet, remain in touch with reality at all times.
One can conclude by reading Shakespeare’s Sonnet 12 that the predominant motif deals with the course of time. When read aloud the reader can easily compare the pace of the sonnet and the internal rhyming to that of a ticking clock. Every line is short and steady as it progresses just as the steady ticking of a clock. In the second line, Shakespeare generates a metaphor in which he compares the life of a violet to that of one’s own life, “when I behold the violet past prime and sable curls all silvered o’er with white.” Shakespeare pursues the cycle of life in this sonnet with illustrations of nature and humankind. Just as a flower blooms and a leaf falls likewise, a human is born, reaches its potential, grows old, and at last, dies. He comes to the realization within the next several lines, “then of thy beauty do I question make that though among the waste of time must go.” It is true what is popularly phrased as “beauty fades.” It comes and just as it came it shall go. Beauty is something one can only possess briefly. A flower is only as pretty as it is youthful. A person in time will age and grow less physically appealing to the masses as perhaps they once did in their days of youth. Lastly, Shakespeare reveals the only true way to avoid the ticking clock is to, “nothing ‘gainst time’s scythe can make defense save breed to brace him when he takes thee hence.” If one reproduces, it is here and only here where one can find peace in leaving a legacy to carry onward.
It is through these three sonnets Shakespeare includes varying degrees of motifs, dictions, metaphors, and an internal rhyme scheme. Each sonnet has such a different theme and story to be told yet, they all conclude with something to be taken and applied to our own lives. In Sonnet 20, Shakespeare takes the all too inappropriate topic of homosexuality and shows it from all possible perspective parties. He dives into the tangible things such as the protagonist’s physical qualities regarding both masculine and feminine. Shakespeare goes on to tackle the intangible as he displays the thought process of both males and females regarding the protagonist. Secondly, in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 62, he takes on the often battle of reality verses mindset, concluding that one should be in sync with the reality of their self-image to avoid the realization that vanity is only so deep. Lastly, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 12 gives a direct and straightforward take on time. Leaves will change and the flowers will bloom and then fade. It is all the process of life and the only way to ensure that it will continue is to reproduce.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 20 not only takes on the raciest topic of the three sonnets but also, does the best justice towards his reputation. It is within this sonnet that he expresses such a multi-facade poem in its depiction of homosexuality and how others perceive this lifestyle. Shakespeare crafts the poem to begin with this description of a beautiful woman. He does so to draw the reader in and once he has them entranced, he unleashes this concept of this man with such strong feminine characteristics. This leaves the reader confused and still locked in to read and see what becomes of him. Being able to keep your reader intrigued is half the battle. But, Shakespeare goes on to bring about a strong sense of diction to show both sides of the story. As stated prior, Shakespeare’s ability to take on the tangible and intangible characteristics allows him to show how others see the protagonist, and how others feel about the protagonist. It is as though the reader is able to see what they see and feel as they feel towards the protagonist. That is a true test of imagery, when the readers can express themselves just as the characters can.It is appealing to the reader because it allows for such a deep level of human connection to occur. Shakespeare crafted this sonnet in a way that one might come into the poem with a direct opinion about homosexuality but they leave with a renewed outlook. To me that is pure genius where writing is concerned, if one can persuade others without the immediate realization then it was successful writing. Some say that Shakespeare chose this topic because he was a homosexual and this was his way of opening himself up to the world. Regardless, he presented both sides of homosexuality. Rarely, is something read where both parties’ ideas are being equally represented and Shakespeare takes it upon himself in Sonnet 20, to express feelings, thoughts, and ideas geared towards homosexuality. Anything that colors outside the lines grasps my full and undivided attention, as this poem did. But, being able to see the literary devices and overall organization of this sonnet allows me the opportunity to value Shakespeare more so today than before.

Sonnet 12
When I do count the clock that tells the time

When I do count the clock that tells the time,
And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;
When I behold the violet past prime,
And sable curls all silver'd o'er with white;
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves
Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,
And summer's green all girded up in sheaves
Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,
Then of thy beauty do I question make,
That thou among the wastes of time must go,
Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake
And die as fast as they see others grow;
And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.

Sonnet 62

Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye

Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye
And all my soul and all my every part;
And for this sin there is no remedy,
It is so grounded inward in my heart.
Methinks no face so gracious is as mine,
No shape so true, no truth of such account;
And for myself mine own worth do define,
As I all other in all worths surmount.
But when my glass shows me myself indeed,
Beated and chopp'd with tann'd antiquity,
Mine own self-love quite contrary I read;
Self so self-loving were iniquity.
'Tis thee, myself, that for myself I praise,
Painting my age with beauty of thy days.

Sonnet 20

A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted
Hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion;
A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted
With shifting change, as is false women's fashion;
An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling,
Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth;
A man in hue, all 'hues' in his controlling,
Much steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth.
And for a woman wert thou first created;
Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting,
And by addition me of thee defeated,
By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.
But since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure,
Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure.