Poem Analysis - Sonnet 99 The Forward Violet Thus Did I Chide

An Ode to Stolen Beauty: Introduction

Shakespeare's Sonnet 99 is a playful, almost comical, exploration of beauty and the poet's overwhelming adoration for his beloved. The tone is initially accusatory and chiding, directed towards the flowers, but quickly becomes hyperbolic and absurd as the speaker blames them for stealing elements of the beloved's beauty. While the poem starts with a mock-serious reprimand, it subtly shifts towards a deeper appreciation of the beloved's unique and unparalleled beauty, culminating in the realization that all beauty in nature is merely an imitation of the beloved's.

Love's Grandeur Reflected in Nature

One of the central themes of Sonnet 99 is the idealization of love and beauty. The poem develops this theme through personification and exaggerated comparisons. The speaker accuses various flowers of stealing qualities from his love. For example, the violet is accused of stealing its "sweet that smells" from the beloved's breath and its purple color from the blood in the beloved's veins. The lily is condemned for possessing a hand like the beloved's, and the marjoram for stealing hair. This exaggeration highlights the speaker's belief that the beloved's beauty is so extraordinary that it has become the source and standard for all beauty in the natural world. In doing so, Shakespeare elevates the beloved to an almost divine status, suggesting that their beauty surpasses anything found in nature itself.

The Price of Imitation: Divine Beauty

The idea that nature imitates the beloved's beauty leads to another theme: the consequences of imitation. The roses, feeling shame and despair at their inadequacy, showcase the pressure of trying to match the beloved's perfection. One rose, a blend of red and white, steals the beloved's breath, attempting to acquire the final touch of perfection. However, this act of theft results in the rose being consumed by a "vengeful canker." This imagery suggests that attempting to replicate the beloved's beauty is ultimately destructive. The canker, in this context, symbolizes the consequences of trying to possess something that is inherently unique and unattainable. The other flowers 'fearfully on thorns did stand' because they were aware they may also be accused of theft. Through this imagery, Shakespeare implies that true beauty is inimitable and that any attempt to copy it will inevitably lead to ruin.

A Symphony of Stolen Senses

Recurring images of stolen sensory qualities are pivotal to the poem's message. The "sweet that smells" of the violet, the "purple pride" of its complexion, and the "breath" of the roses are all elements of the senses--smell, sight, and even touch, implicitly. By focusing on these stolen sensory attributes, Shakespeare emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the beloved's beauty. It's not just visual; it affects all the senses. This focus builds a vivid image of the beloved as a source of all that is pleasing and desirable. Could it be that the theft is less a crime and more a natural consequence of the beloved’s powerful allure, an involuntary response from nature drawn to such profound beauty?

The Final Theft and the Essence of Beauty: Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 99 is a witty and hyperbolic exploration of love and beauty. Through playful accusations and vivid imagery, Shakespeare creates a world where nature itself is in awe of the beloved's unparalleled beauty. The poem's initial accusatory tone gives way to a deeper appreciation of the beloved's uniqueness, ultimately suggesting that all beauty in nature is merely a reflection, albeit an imperfect one, of the beloved's own radiant perfection. The sonnet stands as a testament to the transformative power of love, capable of elevating the beloved to a realm of almost divine beauty, influencing and even intimidating the natural world itself.