Poem Analysis - Sonnet 43 When Most I Wink Then Do Mine Eyes Best See

Introduction: A Celebration of Dream-Vision

Shakespeare's Sonnet 43, "When Most I Wink, Then Do Mine Eyes Best See," is a passionate exploration of love and longing, expressed through the contrasting imagery of darkness and light. The poem is characterized by a tone of fervent adoration, bordering on idealization, as the speaker finds the beloved more present and vivid in dreams than in waking reality. There's a sense of paradox throughout the poem, where absence becomes a form of presence, and darkness illuminates a brighter truth. The sonnet moves from the speaker's observation of the power of dreams to a yearning for the physical presence of the beloved.

The Supremacy of Dream-Love: Finding Light in Darkness

One of the central themes of Sonnet 43 is the superiority of love experienced in dreams compared to the mundane reality of the waking world. The opening line immediately establishes this paradox: "When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see." The speaker contends that during the day, his eyes are distracted by "things unrespected" – everyday occurrences that lack the profound beauty and meaning found in his dreams of the beloved. This suggests a dissatisfaction with the ordinary and a desire for something more transcendent, which is fulfilled by the dream-vision. The phrase "darkly bright, are bright in dark directed" further emphasizes this theme, suggesting that the beloved's presence shines even more brilliantly against the backdrop of night and sleep.

The Beloved as Source of Light: An Idealized Vision

Another key theme is the idealization of the beloved as a source of light and beauty. The speaker attributes an almost supernatural power to the beloved, whose "shadow shadows doth make bright." This highlights the transformative effect of love, turning even the ordinary into something extraordinary. The speaker wonders how much more radiant the beloved's "form" would appear "to the clear day," implying that their beauty already surpasses what waking eyes can comprehend. This idealization elevates the beloved to a near-divine status, suggesting that their presence illuminates and ennobles the speaker's world.

Absence and Presence: The Pain of Yearning

The poem also explores the complex relationship between absence and presence. Although the speaker finds solace and joy in dreaming of the beloved, this only serves to intensify the longing for their physical presence. The rhetorical questions, "How would... mine eyes be blessèd made, / By looking on thee in the living day," underscore the speaker's desire for tangible connection. The phrase "fair imperfect shade" suggests that even the dream-image of the beloved is insufficient, a mere shadow of the real person. This tension between the satisfaction of dream-vision and the yearning for physical presence creates a poignant sense of longing and incompleteness.

Symbolism of Light and Darkness: A Paradoxical Reality

The recurring imagery of light and darkness serves as a central symbol throughout the poem. Darkness, typically associated with ignorance and despair, is here transformed into a space of vision and enlightenment. The "dead night" and "heavy sleep" become the settings for the most vivid and meaningful experiences. Conversely, the "clear day," usually associated with clarity and understanding, is presented as a time of blurred vision and superficiality. The final couplet, "All days are nights to see till I see thee, / And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me," encapsulates this paradoxical relationship. This suggests that the speaker's true reality, his truest vision, is found in the presence (or at least the dream-presence) of the beloved, blurring the conventional boundaries between day and night, reality and dream.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Love and Imagination

In conclusion, Shakespeare's Sonnet 43 is a powerful testament to the transformative power of love and imagination. The poem celebrates the intensity of feeling that can transcend the limitations of the physical world, finding its purest expression in the realm of dreams. By exploring the complex interplay between absence and presence, light and darkness, the poem suggests that love can illuminate even the darkest corners of our existence. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to capture the universal human desire for connection and the profound impact that love can have on our perception of reality, making the ordinary extraordinary and finding true vision in the darkness of sleep. It leaves us wondering: is the dream-vision truly a substitute for reality, or does it offer a glimpse of a deeper, more profound truth?