Poem Analysis - Sonnet 39 O How Thy Worth With Manners May I Sing

Introduction: A Paradoxical Ode to Love Through Distance

Shakespeare's Sonnet 39 is a complex exploration of love, intertwined with a surprising embrace of separation. The poem initially expresses the speaker's struggle to praise his beloved as a separate entity, arguing that their identities are too intertwined. However, the sonnet takes an unexpected turn, suggesting that distance is actually a means of properly valuing the beloved. The overall tone is one of yearning mingled with intellectual reasoning, shifting from frustration to a kind of acceptance and even appreciation of absence.

The Intertwined Selves: The Difficulty of Independent Praise

One of the central themes is the inseparability of the lovers' identities. The opening quatrain highlights the speaker's difficulty in praising his beloved objectively: "O, how thy worth with manners may I sing, / When thou art all the better part of me?" He questions the very act of praising the other person, implying that any praise bestowed upon the beloved is merely self-praise: "What can mine own praise to mine own self bring? / And what is’t but mine own when I praise thee?" This suggests a profound connection, where the speaker sees the beloved as an integral part of his own being, making independent evaluation seemingly impossible.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: Distance as a Catalyst for Appreciation

Paradoxically, the poem pivots to embrace separation as a means to truly appreciate the beloved's worth. The speaker declares, "Even for this let us divided live...That by this separation I may give / That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone." This suggests that only through distance can the speaker properly recognize and value the individuality of his beloved. Absence becomes a tool, allowing the speaker to offer deserved praise that isn't tainted by their intertwined identities. This challenges the traditional notion that love necessitates constant presence and proximity.

Sweet Deceit: The Power of Thought and Memory

The poem explores the theme of love's power to transcend physical absence. The image of "sour leisure" being transformed into "sweet leave / To entertain the time with thoughts of love" illustrates how the mind can create a comforting reality even in separation. The speaker finds solace in memories and reflections, effectively "deceiv[ing]" time and transforming it from a painful void into an opportunity for deeper contemplation of love. This highlights the enduring nature of love, capable of thriving even in the face of physical distance and the power of the imagination to sustain connections.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Love's Complexities

In conclusion, Sonnet 39 offers a nuanced perspective on love, suggesting that true appreciation sometimes requires distance and reflection. The poem's initial frustration with the inseparability of lovers evolves into an acceptance of separation as a catalyst for independent valuation. Through vivid imagery of "sour leisure" transformed into "sweet leave" and the paradoxical celebration of absence, Shakespeare reveals the multifaceted nature of love, highlighting its capacity to endure, transform, and thrive even in the face of physical separation. The poem ultimately suggests that love's true measure lies not in constant presence, but in the depth of thought and appreciation it inspires, regardless of distance.