Sonnet 38: How Can My Muse Want Subject to Invent
Sonnet 38: How Can My Muse Want Subject to Invent - context Summary
Addressing the Fair Youth
Sonnet 38, part of Shakespeare’s Fair Youth sequence, addresses an unnamed young patron as the poet’s living source of inspiration. The speaker insists he needs no invented subject because the beloved ‘‘pours’’ themes into his verse and deserves credit as a "tenth Muse" surpassing the classical nine. The poem credits the addressee with providing invention and promises that any poetic endurance or praise ultimately belongs to him, not the poet.
Read Complete AnalysesHow can my Muse want subject to invent While thou dost breathe, that pour’st into my verse Thine own sweet argument, too excellent For every vulgar paper to rehearse? O, give thyself the thanks, if aught in me Worthy perusal stand against thy sight, For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee, When thou thyself dost give invention light? Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth Than those old nine which rhymers invocate; And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth Eternal numbers to outlive long date. If my slight Muse do please these curious days, The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.