Sonnet 76
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| Sonnet 76 |
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Why is my verse so barren of new pride, |
| –William Shakespeare |
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Sonnet 76 is one of 154 sonnets written by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It's a member of the Fair Youth sequence, in which the poet expresses his love towards a young man.
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[edit] Synopsis
This poem repeats the theme of sonnet 38, which examines the issue of the poet's obsession with the Youth as the repeated and sole theme of his poetry.
The poet expresses frustration with his poetry; that it is repetitive and he can't find inspiration. He ponders finding inspiration from other artists. He ends the poem justifying the endless, uninspired, repetition of his love poetry to the endless repetition to the rising and setting sun.
[edit] Controversial Interpretation
It has been argued that Shakespeare is also discussing the influence of drugs in poetry creation. [1]
- "Noted weed" could either be paper (e.g. the poetry of others) or hemp / marijuana which was common in England at the time.[2]
- "Compounds strange" could either be unusual grammar or it could be strange chemicals (i.e. drugs).
- Shakespeare heavily used puns in the sonnets. It would be too simple of a poem to only discuss inspiration from other artists. There could probably be easier and better sounding ways to express that thought. Contextually, it makes sense that if he is questioning where else he can find artistic inspiration, drugs would also be a consideration.
One could argue the poet is thinking he could use drugs to be inspired. He then states he decides not to use such inspiration. (The poet does not "glance aside". Also, he decides to keep the inspirational in the "noted weed" rather than use it.)
[edit] Interpretations
- Diana Rigg, for the 2002 compilation album, When Love Speaks (EMI Classics)
