Poem Analysis - Sonnet 59 If There Be Nothing New But That Which Is

Introduction: A Yearning for Historical Validation

Shakespeare's Sonnet 59 explores the speaker's frustration and fascination with the idea of originality, particularly in the context of describing beauty. The poem opens with a skeptical questioning of novelty, transitioning into a yearning to see the beloved's likeness in historical records. The tone is initially contemplative and almost cynical, shifting to a fervent desire and ending with a confident declaration. This sonnet reveals the speaker’s profound admiration and an intellectual curiosity that extends beyond the present moment.

The Futility of Invention and the Burden of the Past

One of the central themes is the futility of invention in art and beauty. The opening lines express doubt that anything is truly new, suggesting that all creations are merely repetitions of what has come before. The image of "brains beguiled, / Which, labouring for invention bear amis / The second burthen of a former child!" vividly illustrates the exhausting and ultimately fruitless effort to create something original. This theme underscores a sense of disillusionment with the limitations of human creativity, suggesting that even the most inspired works are simply echoes of the past. The "second burthen" symbolizes the tiresome and repetitive nature of attempting originality when, perhaps, true novelty is unattainable.

Seeking Historical Precedent: A Quest for Validation

The desire to find the beloved's image in "some antique book" highlights the theme of seeking historical precedent and validation. The speaker yearns to see if past civilizations also recognized and celebrated such extraordinary beauty. This is not merely vanity; it's a deeper quest to understand if their admiration is universally and historically justified. The lines "That I might see what the old world could say / To this composèd wonder of your frame" reveal a longing to connect with past perceptions and judgments. It's as if the speaker needs the confirmation of history to fully appreciate the beauty before them. The wish extends beyond mere visual confirmation to encompass a deeper understanding of how past societies valued and articulated beauty.

Admiration Transcends Time

The theme of enduring admiration emerges in the final couplet, where the speaker confidently asserts that "the wits of former days / To subjects worse have given admiring praise." This declaration suggests that even if the beloved's image isn't found in ancient texts, their beauty is undoubtedly worthy of the highest praise, perhaps even more so than the subjects of past admiration. This final statement provides a sense of resolution, shifting from the initial skepticism to a firm belief in the exceptional nature of the beloved. The use of "worse" implies that past generations may have misdirected their praise, making the speaker's admiration all the more justified.

The "Antique Book": A Symbol of Historical Judgment

The recurring symbol of the "antique book" represents more than just a historical record; it symbolizes the judgment and perspective of past generations. The speaker hopes to find the beloved's image within its pages, as though seeking validation from the collective wisdom of history. This book becomes a metaphor for the accumulated experiences and aesthetic sensibilities of past societies. The possibility that the book might not contain the beloved's image also raises questions about the subjectivity of beauty and the potential for historical oversight. Is the beloved’s beauty truly exceptional, or has history simply overlooked similar examples? The very act of searching within this "antique book" is a quest for objective confirmation in a realm often governed by subjective perception.

Conclusion: Beauty Endures Beyond Originality

In conclusion, Sonnet 59 is a complex exploration of originality, admiration, and the desire for historical validation. While the poem initially expresses doubt about the possibility of true novelty, it ultimately celebrates the enduring power of beauty. The speaker's yearning to find the beloved's image in an "antique book" underscores a longing for historical confirmation, but the final couplet affirms that even without such precedent, the beloved's beauty is undoubtedly worthy of praise. The poem's significance lies in its recognition that true beauty transcends the need for originality; it is a timeless quality that inspires admiration across generations, regardless of whether it has been perfectly captured in the past. Shakespeare suggests that the search for something new may be less fruitful than the appreciation of something eternally beautiful.