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. Sonnet 53 . (original language, but moderately updated) 01. What is your substance, whereof are you made, 02. That millions of strange shadows on you tend? 03. Since every one, hath every one, one shade, 04. And you but one, can every shadow lend: 05. Describe Adonis and the counterfeit, 06. Is poorly imitated after you, 07. On Helen's cheek all art of beauty set, 08. And you in Grecian tires are painted new: 09. Speak of the spring, and foison of the year, 10. The one doth shadow of your beauty show, 11. The other as your bounty doth appear, 12. And you in every blessed shape we know. 13. In all external grace you have some part, 14. But you like none, none you for constant heart. |
. Sonnet 53 . (paraphrased) 01. What is your material substance, from which you are made, 02. That so many shapes, not your own, are at your service? 03. (I wonder,) Since for everyone, they all have one, and only one form, 04. But you, only one person, can temporarily impart any shape. 05. If one describes Adonis, it's like the depiction of him 06. Is only an inadequate description of you; 07. If one envisions the face of Helen, herself, painted using all the arts of beauty, 08. It's you, in Grecian attire, who are the one freshly painted. 09. Speak of the springtime, or of the abundance of the autumn harvest: 10. The flowers of spring show a reflection of your beauty, 11. The other looks like your fruitfulness, 12. And is analogous to you appearing in every desirable form people know; 13. In any welcome, external presence you seem to have some part, 14. But you are like nobody else, and nobody else is like you, in the fidelity of your heart. |
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Sonnet 53 Gloss
L2: millions = such a large number. 'So many.' L2: strange = not your own. Actually a "stranger" to you. L2: shadows = (human) shapes; forms. L2: tend = serve; attend. "On you tend" = are at your service. L3: shade = hue. Character. L4: shadow = imitation. L4: lend = temporarily impart. (Note, to the right.) L5: Describe = portray in words; sketch. L5: counterfeit = depiction. L6: poorly = inadequately. L8: tires = attire. Theatrical costume. Compare the term "tiring house." L9: foison = profusion; abundance. In the course of the year, the harvest time. L10: shadow = reflection. L11: bounty = fruitfulness. L12: blessed = desirable. L13: grace = welcome presence. To "grace" an occasion is to be a welcome presence. L14: constant = loyal, true. (Note, to the right.) |
Sonnet 53 Notes
L4: lend = temporarily impart. This Sonnet is about the boy actor who was also the addressee of Sonnet 20. The addressee of this Sonnet has "all Hues in his controlling," as Sonnet 20 says. He can play any young, beautiful character, male or female. That's why both Adonis (male) and Helen (female) are mentioned. L14: constant = loyal, true. The praise of the boy actor for constant heart perhaps indicates he has remained loyal to the Lord Chamberlain's Men despite other offers. |
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