Sonnet 53: What Is Your Substance, Whereof Are You Made
Sonnet 53: What Is Your Substance, Whereof Are You Made - meaning Summary
Beloved Embodies Every Beauty
The speaker marvels that the beloved seems to be the source or model for every beauty and excellence. Comparisons to Adonis, Helen, and spring suggest the beloved can wear many ideal forms; other images are mere 'shadows' or imitations of them. Yet despite sharing parts of every external grace, the beloved remains singular and uniquely constant in character, unlike any other combination of beauties.
Read Complete AnalysesWhat is your substance, whereof are you made, That millions of strange shadows on you tend? Since everyone hath, every one, one shade, And you, but one, can every shadow lend. Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit Is poorly imitated after you; On Helen’s cheek all art of beauty set, And you in Grecian tires are painted new. Speak of the spring, and foison of the year; The one doth shadow of your beauty show, The other as your bounty doth appear, And you in every blessèd shape we know. In all external grace you have some part, But you like none, none you, for constant heart.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.