Sonnet 91 Modern English and Shakespeare Sonnet Analyses

Page 2: Comprehension and Modern Relevance of Sonnet 91

This page delves into the specific Elizabethan status symbols mentioned in Sonnet 91 and explores the speaker's attitude towards them. It also draws parallels to modern-day equivalents.

Elizabethan Status Symbols:

• High birth or hereditary status
• Intelligence and dexterity (skill)
• Clothes
• Horses
• Hawks and hounds

Vocabulary: Dexterity - skill or adroitness in using the hands or body; mental skill or quickness; cleverness.

The speaker's attitude towards these status symbols is one of detachment and mild mockery. He distances himself from those who take pride in such things, particularly noting the absurdity of delighting in trendy but strange clothing.

Quote: "By clearly stating that these particular passions are not his yardsticks... he makes clear that the status symbols of his times are not important to him."

The speaker emphasizes that he neither values these symbols for himself nor judges others by them, highlighting a personal philosophy that prioritizes love over societal measures of worth.

Definition: Status symbol - A possession or characteristic that is perceived as indicating high social or economic standing.

Modern Equivalents of Status Symbols:

• Clothes (designer brands)
• Sunglasses
• Jewelry (especially watches)
• Cars
• Houses
• Smartphones

Highlight: The enduring nature of status symbols across centuries demonstrates the persistent human desire for social recognition and prestige.

This comparison between Elizabethan and modern status symbols offers insight into the timeless nature of social hierarchies and the human tendency to seek validation through material possessions. It also underscores the Sonnet 91 analysis by showing how Shakespeare's critique of such values remains relevant in contemporary society.

Page 1: Structural Analysis of Sonnet 91

Shakespeare's Sonnet 91 employs a carefully crafted structure to support its main thesis. The poem uses repetition and parallel structure to emphasize its themes and create a rhythmic flow.

The sonnet's structure can be broken down as follows:

1. First quatrain: Enumerates what people typically take pride in
2. Next two lines: Serve as a transition
3. Following quatrain: Explores how each temperament has its passion
4. Final quatrain: Echoes the status symbols mentioned earlier, dismissing them in favor of the beloved's love
5. Couplet: Disrupts the playful tone with a serious reflection on the vulnerability of love

Highlight: The parallel structure in the first quatrain ("Some glory in... some in") sets up the poem's comparative framework.

Example: The speaker echoes each status symbol mentioned in the first few lines in the same order later in the poem, emphasizing their unimportance compared to the beloved's love.

Quote: "The speaker implies that he is at the mercy of the beloved person - if he loses their love, then all is lost."

This structural analysis reveals how Shakespeare uses poetic techniques to reinforce the sonnet's central theme: the supreme value of love over material possessions and social status.