Poem Analysis - Sonnet 21 So Is It Not With Me As With That Muse

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 21 is a refreshing departure from the hyperbolic love poetry common in his time. It presents a speaker who refuses to engage in extravagant comparisons and inflated praise. The tone is one of understated sincerity, almost defiant in its simplicity. There's a subtle shift from a critique of flowery language to a declaration of genuine, though less ostentatious, affection. This sonnet champions authenticity over artifice in matters of the heart and poetry.

A Rejection of Exaggerated Praise

The poem's initial lines directly contrast the speaker's approach to love poetry with that of other "muse[s]" (poets). He sets himself apart from those who rely on "painted beauty" and inflate their beloved's qualities by comparing them to celestial bodies and earthly treasures. Shakespeare introduces the theme of authentic love versus artificial praise here. The speaker rejects the conventional poetic devices of his time, implying that these comparisons are insincere and perhaps even a form of dishonest flattery.

True Love: Beyond Comparisons

The poem develops the theme of the intrinsic value of the beloved through a stark contrast. Instead of comparing his love to "sun and moon," he simply states, "my love is as fair / As any mother’s child." This is a deliberately understated comparison, emphasizing that her beauty is natural and human, not an idealized, unattainable perfection. He explicitly denies that she is "so bright / As those gold candles fixed in heaven’s air," further solidifying his rejection of superficial embellishment. The phrase "mother's child" has an implicit connection to common everyday beauty that is inherent to human existence. In other words, his love is beautiful as any other human being.

Sincerity and "Selling" Love

Another significant theme is the relationship between sincerity and the commodification of love. The final couplet, "Let them say more that like of hearsay well; / I will not praise that purpose not to sell," reveals a cynical view of extravagant praise. The speaker suggests that those who engage in hyperbole are doing so with an ulterior motive, perhaps to gain favor or social advancement. His refusal to "sell" his love through insincere flattery highlights his commitment to genuine emotion and straightforward expression.

Candles and Flowers: Simple Imagery

The poem employs simple, yet effective imagery. The "gold candles fixed in heaven's air" is a clear reference to stars, a common symbol of beauty and perfection. However, in this context, they represent an unattainable ideal. The "April's first-born flowers" represent beauty as well, but because the speaker compares his love to "any mother's child", it becomes evident that he embraces regular and simple expressions of beauty. The choice of such common and earthly images emphasizes the speaker's preference for genuine, unadorned beauty over artificial grandeur. Perhaps a unique interpretation would be to suggest the 'candles' imagery might even be a subtle dig at the church, where candles are often used to embellish and make a spectacle, in contrast to the simple, everyday devotion the speaker wants to express.

The Power of Authenticity

In conclusion, Sonnet 21 is a powerful statement about the value of sincerity in both love and poetry. Shakespeare's speaker rejects the conventional practice of exaggerated praise, opting instead for a more honest and understated expression of affection. By contrasting his approach with that of other poets, he champions the beauty of the ordinary and the importance of genuine emotion over artificial embellishment. The poem ultimately suggests that true love doesn't need to be sold or compared to celestial wonders; it simply needs to be acknowledged and appreciated for its inherent worth.