Poem Analysis - Sonnet 86 Was It The Proud Full Sail Of His Great Verse

Introduction: Envy and Creative Block

Shakespeare's Sonnet 86 is a lament fueled by creative jealousy and feelings of inadequacy. The speaker, presumably Shakespeare himself, grapples with the overwhelming talent of a rival poet, questioning whether his own silence is a result of the rival's superior verse or something more personal. The tone begins with a mix of awe and insecurity, shifting towards a realization of the root cause of his creative paralysis. The poem ultimately explores the destructive power of comparing oneself to others and the devastating impact of lost inspiration.

The Shadow of a Rival: The Theme of Envy

A central theme in Sonnet 86 is envy. The speaker is consumed by the success of another poet, depicted as having a "proud full sail" of verse. This metaphor suggests the rival's work is powerful, confident, and destined for victory ("bound for the prize of all-too-precious you"). The speaker wonders if this rival's success has literally silenced him, "inhearse[ing]" his thoughts, effectively burying them alive. The imagery of the "tomb" and the "womb" juxtaposes death and creation, suggesting that the rival's talent has stifled the speaker's own creative potential before it could even be born. The entire poem is an exploration of the speaker's feelings of being overshadowed and outshone.

Inspiration's Elusive Muse: The Theme of Creative Block

Another significant theme is the struggle with creative block. The speaker initially attributes his silence to supernatural forces – the rival poet's "spirit, by spirits taught to write." He entertains the idea that the rival is receiving divine or demonic inspiration, implying that his own lack of creativity is due to a lack of external assistance. However, the speaker quickly dismisses this explanation ("No, neither he, nor his compeers by night...my verse astonished"). This dismissal highlights the speaker's internal conflict; he seeks a concrete reason for his creative drought, but the true cause lies elsewhere.

Love's Influence: The Theme of Lost Inspiration

The poem subtly explores the theme of lost inspiration connected to love. While the sonnet focuses on the rival's poetic abilities, the final couplet reveals the true source of the speaker's creative block: "But when your countenance filled up his line, / Then lacked I matter, that enfeebled mine." This suggests that the speaker's muse – the "you" addressed in many of Shakespeare's sonnets, often interpreted as a young man – has become the subject of the rival's poetry. This shift in affection and attention has left the speaker feeling depleted and unable to write. The "countenance" filling the rival's line implies the muse has become the source of the rival’s inspiration and no longer inspires the speaker. The imagery of the "countenance" suggests beauty and presence, while "lacked I matter" evokes emptiness and creative barrenness.

Symbols of Poetic Power: Ships and Ghosts

The poem utilizes potent symbols to represent poetic power and inspiration. The "proud full sail" of the rival's verse symbolizes the confidence, strength, and momentum of his poetry. The ship, as a symbol, can also represent the journey of creative expression. The "affable familiar ghost" represents the source of inspiration, a muse that seemingly abandons the speaker to favor his rival. This symbol raises an interesting question: Is the "ghost" a literal spirit, a metaphor for the muse, or a manifestation of the speaker's own self-doubt projected onto the rival?

Concluding Thoughts: Love's Absence as the Ultimate Muse

In conclusion, Sonnet 86 is a powerful exploration of envy, creative block, and the role of love in artistic inspiration. The speaker initially blames the rival's superior talent and even supernatural forces for his inability to write, but ultimately realizes that the true cause lies in the shift of affection from himself to the rival. The poem suggests that love and admiration are essential ingredients for creativity, and their absence can lead to a devastating creative drought. The sonnet serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of artists and the delicate balance between inspiration and self-doubt.