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13th September 2012 An Analysis of Sonnet 55 Many would think that in Shakespeares poem Sonnet 55 the beauty of an unnamed individual is expressed as indefinite. However, he states, in an egotistical manner, that the living record of his/her memory will outlast war, time, and a plethora of manmade marvels. What appears to be an elegant compliment to some person can be perceived as a narcissistic boost to Shakespeares own ego. Shakespeare states, Not marble, nor the gilded monuments of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme.(Line 1) By that he means that this particular poem will outlast marble statues and incredible monuments. Shakespeare is saying that his words will express and idolize this person more than any monument ever could. This is not only a compliment to the person, but it also acts as a compliment to himself and his work. This serves as the first sign of selfcenteredness. Shakespeare then says, But you shall shine more bright in these contents than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time.(Line 2) By this he most likely means that the person will shine more in these verses than on dust covered gravestone, eroded by time. This statement is saying that the unnamed individual will be represented by his poem, after death, which will last longer than any gravestone because it will not erode with time. Notice he says the poem, not her memory, will never fade. In the second quadrant he talks about the affects of conflict on the world and how it will not affect this literary piece. Shakespeare first states that, When wasteful war shall statues overturn, and broils root out the work of masonry. In translation this means that when ravaging war shall overturn statues, and riots or conflicts destroy the mason's handiwork. These will not,

however, affect his poem. He continues claiming, Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn the living record of your memory. This means, the cause of war nor shall the effects of war will destroy the living record of your memory. These lines mean that the living record of your memory will last through anything. Notice that again, Shakespeare says that not the persons memory, rather, the record of your memory will overcome these obstacles. In the third quadrant he makes a sort of prophecy that to the end of humanity the poem will survive. He does this by first stating, Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room. This can be understood as, against death and destruction you will push on through this poem (your praise) which will always have a place. He goes on to say that the content will last, Even in the eyes of all posterity that wear this world out to the ending doom. This means that this poem will last through future generations to the end of time. Even though he does not explicitly state the word this poem, the stating of your praise (Line 14) could be a possible reference to the poem. The couplet at the end stands for a good conclusion to the fact that he was talking about the poem. He explicitly states, So, till the judgment that yourself arise, You live in this, and dwell in lovers' eyes. He is saying that until judgment day you will live in this poem and dwell in your lovers eyes. Again he references to the fact that the poem will last this amount of time. One could say that Shakespeare wrote this poem very arrogantly; however, this poem is still being talked about today. So, a relevant question would be, it may be arrogant, but is it true?