Sonnet #23

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Sonnet #23

XXIII.

As an unperfect actor on the stage
Who with his fear is put besides his part,
Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage,
Whose strength's abundance weakens his own heart.
So I, for fear of trust, forget to say
The perfect ceremony of love's rite,
And in mine own love's strength seem to decay,
O'ercharged with burden of mine own love's might.
O, let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,
Who plead for love and look for recompense
More than that tongue that more hath more express'd.
O, learn to read what silent love hath writ:
To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.

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[aravind nair]

So, what does this mean? Is Shakespeare saying that his love is better expressed by his characters than himself? The 'unperfect actor' has a role to play while he is on stage. But the actor is something besides the character, the fear he feels is not part of the character and hence mars the performance. Is Shakespeare trying save the trouble of writing a love letter by referring whoever it is intended for to his books since it's all there already? That 'o, learn to read' by itself almost sounds desperate. :lol: Does Shakespeare prefer the silent love that is read rather than heard? I dont know why the abundance of strength in something 'replete with too much rage' should 'weaken his own heart' though unless he is talking about his being lazy. :confused: :lol:

__________________________________________________ _________________
Aravind

http://literarypursuit.blogspot.com/

[dramasnot6]

I think this sonnet is intended to sound confusing, to reflect the overwhelming,confused nature of feelings of love. In love, you feel 'not here nor there', fitting into no specific box of emotion...you are swept up by a chaotic wave of thought and feeling,left hyperventilating on life's vast shore,having almost drowned in the tempestuous blood of your own heart.

I therefore do not think he is being 'lazy',just...well...in love! I would doubt the validity and 'strength' of such love if he was calm and certain about what was going on within or outside of his heart.