Sonnet 38: How Can My Muse Want Subject To Invent
How can my muse want subject to invent,
While thou dost breathe, that pour’st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
O! give thy self the thanks, if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight;
For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee,
When thou thy self dost give invention light?
Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to outlive long date.
If my slight muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
Line 1: How can my muse want subject to invent,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Muse: A source of inspiration, often associated with the nine Muses of Greek mythology.
- Want: Lack or need.
- Invent: To create or compose.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker begins by questioning how his “muse” (his creative inspiration) could ever lack a subject to write about while the beloved is alive. The beloved’s existence and virtues provide endless inspiration for the speaker’s poetry. This line sets up the central theme of the sonnet: the beloved as the ultimate source of creative inspiration.
Context:
This sonnet is part of Shakespeare’s sequence addressed to the “Fair Youth.” The speaker celebrates the beloved’s role as his muse and the source of his poetic creativity. The line reflects the speaker’s admiration for the beloved and his belief in the beloved’s exceptional qualities.
Line 2: While thou dost breathe, that pour’st into my verse
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Thou dost breathe: You are alive.
- Pour’st: Pour (archaic verb form meaning to fill or inspire).
- Verse: Poetry.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker suggests that as long as the beloved is alive, he “pours” inspiration into the speaker’s poetry. The verb “pour’st” conveys the idea of abundance and generosity, as if the beloved’s very existence enriches the speaker’s creative work.
Context:
This line reinforces the idea that the beloved is the source of the speaker’s poetic inspiration. It reflects the deep connection between the beloved’s presence and the speaker’s ability to create.
Line 3: Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Thine: Your (archaic).
- Argument: Subject matter or theme.
- Excellent: Exceptional or of the highest quality.
In-Depth Explanation:
The beloved’s “sweet argument” (his virtues and qualities) is the subject of the speaker’s poetry. The phrase “too excellent” suggests that the beloved’s qualities are so extraordinary that they surpass ordinary subjects.
Context:
This line emphasizes the beloved’s superiority and the speaker’s admiration for him. It reflects the theme of the beloved as an exceptional muse and the central focus of the speaker’s creative work.
Line 4: For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Vulgar: Common or ordinary.
- Paper: Writing or poetry.
- Rehearse: To repeat or recount.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved’s qualities are too exceptional to be written about in “vulgar paper” (ordinary poetry). This implies that only the most refined and inspired writing can do justice to the beloved’s virtues.
Context:
This line highlights the beloved’s uniqueness and the speaker’s belief that his poetry is elevated by its subject. It reflects the theme of the beloved as an extraordinary muse.
Line 5: O! give thy self the thanks, if aught in me
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Aught: Anything.
- Worthy: Deserving of praise or attention.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker tells the beloved to thank himself if anything in the speaker’s poetry is worthy of praise. This suggests that the beloved’s virtues are the true source of the poetry’s merit.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s humility and his belief that the beloved’s qualities elevate his work. It reinforces the theme of the beloved as the source of inspiration and excellence.
Line 6: Worthy perusal stand against thy sight;
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Perusal: Reading or examination.
- Stand against thy sight: Withstand your scrutiny or judgment.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker suggests that if his poetry is worthy of being read, it is because it can withstand the beloved’s judgment. This implies that the beloved’s approval is the ultimate measure of the poetry’s value.
Context:
This line emphasizes the beloved’s importance as both muse and critic. It reflects the speaker’s desire for the beloved’s approval and his belief in the beloved’s superior judgment.
Line 7: For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Dumb: Silent or unable to speak.
- Write to thee: Compose poetry about you.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker asks who could be so “dumb” (lacking in creativity) that they could not write poetry about the beloved. This rhetorical question underscores the beloved’s inspiring qualities and suggests that anyone would be moved to write about him.
Context:
This line reinforces the idea that the beloved is an exceptional muse. It reflects the speaker’s admiration for the beloved and his belief in the beloved’s universal appeal.
Line 8: When thou thy self dost give invention light?
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Invention: Creativity or imagination.
- Light: Inspiration or illumination.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved himself provides the “light” of inspiration, making it easy for anyone to write about him. This metaphor emphasizes the beloved’s role as a source of creative energy.
Context:
This line highlights the beloved’s transformative power as a muse. It reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s presence elevates and inspires his poetry.
Line 9: Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Tenth Muse: A reference to the nine Muses of Greek mythology, with the beloved as a tenth, superior Muse.
- Worth: Value or excellence.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker elevates the beloved to the status of a “tenth Muse,” suggesting that he is ten times more valuable than the traditional nine Muses. This hyperbolic praise reflects the beloved’s exceptional importance to the speaker.
Context:
This line emphasizes the beloved’s superiority and his central role in the speaker’s creative process. It reflects the theme of the beloved as an extraordinary muse.
Line 10: Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Old nine: The nine Muses of Greek mythology.
- Rhymers: Poets.
- Invocate: To call upon or invoke.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker contrasts the beloved with the traditional nine Muses, suggesting that poets who invoke the Muses are inferior to those who draw inspiration from the beloved.
Context:
This line reinforces the idea that the beloved surpasses even the classical sources of inspiration. It reflects the speaker’s admiration for the beloved and his belief in the beloved’s unique power.
Line 11: And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Calls on thee: Invokes or seeks inspiration from you.
- Bring forth: Create or produce.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker suggests that anyone who seeks inspiration from the beloved will be able to create exceptional poetry. This reflects the beloved’s transformative power as a muse.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the beloved as a superior source of inspiration. It reflects the speaker’s belief in the beloved’s universal appeal and creative power.
Line 12: Eternal numbers to outlive long date.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Eternal numbers: Timeless poetry.
- Outlive long date: Endure for a long time.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker suggests that poetry inspired by the beloved will be timeless and enduring. This reflects the beloved’s exceptional qualities and the speaker’s belief in the lasting value of his work.
Context:
This line emphasizes the beloved’s role in creating poetry that will stand the test of time. It reflects the theme of immortality through art.
Line 13: If my slight muse do please these curious days,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Slight muse: Humble or modest inspiration.
- Curious days: The current era, characterized by scrutiny or criticism.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker humbly suggests that if his poetry pleases the “curious days” (the current era), it is due to the beloved’s inspiration. This reflects the speaker’s humility and his belief in the beloved’s superior qualities.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the beloved as the source of the speaker’s creative success. It reflects the speaker’s gratitude and admiration for the beloved.
Line 14: The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Pain: Effort or labor.
- Praise: Recognition or acclaim.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker concludes by stating that while the effort of writing is his, the praise belongs to the beloved. This reflects the speaker’s selflessness and his belief that the beloved’s virtues are the true source of the poetry’s merit.
Context:
This line encapsulates the central theme of the sonnet: the beloved as the source of inspiration and the speaker’s humility in acknowledging the beloved’s role. It reflects the deep bond between the two and the transformative power of love.
Summary of the Sonnet:
Sonnet 38 celebrates the beloved as the ultimate source of poetic inspiration. The speaker marvels at how the beloved’s virtues provide endless material for his poetry, elevating his work beyond ordinary subjects. He compares the beloved to a “tenth Muse,” superior to the traditional nine Muses of Greek mythology, and suggests that poetry inspired by the beloved will endure forever. The sonnet reflects the speaker’s humility, admiration, and gratitude, as he acknowledges that the beloved’s qualities are the true source of his creative success. The theme of immortality through art is central, as the speaker believes that the beloved’s virtues will ensure the lasting value of his poetry.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 38
Summary:
In Sonnet 38, the speaker declares that as long as the beloved exists, their poetry will never lack inspiration. The beloved serves as the perfect poetic subject, providing material too sublime for ordinary writing.
The speaker humbly credits the beloved for any poetic success, arguing that even an unskilled writer could craft beautiful verse simply by writing about them. The beloved is elevated beyond mortal inspiration, compared to the Muses of classical mythology but deemed even greater.
In the final lines, the speaker expresses hope that their poetry will endure over time, thanks to the beloved’s influence. If their poetry pleases the current audience, the speaker claims responsibility for any effort or struggle, but the beloved alone deserves the praise.
Critical Analysis:
This sonnet is part of Shakespeare’s continued praise of the Fair Youth, where the poet attributes all creative genius to the beloved rather than himself. The poem explores the traditional Renaissance concept of inspiration, likening the beloved to the mythical Muses—divine sources of artistic creativity.
A key tension in the poem lies in the poet’s humility versus the undeniable quality of the verse. By claiming that anyone could write beautifully about the beloved, the speaker simultaneously downplays their skill while emphasizing the beloved’s greatness.
There is also a subtle concern with poetic immortality. The speaker desires to write “eternal numbers” (everlasting poetry), hoping that the beloved’s influence will grant their work timelessness. This connects to Shakespeare’s broader theme of poetry as a means of preserving beauty against time.
Theme Analysis:
- The Beloved as the Ultimate Source of Inspiration: The speaker insists that all poetic success comes from the beloved.
- The Power of Poetry to Grant Immortality: The phrase “eternal numbers” suggests that poetry can preserve beauty and outlive its creator.
- Humility and Praise: The poet minimizes their role, suggesting that even the simplest writer could create great verse with the beloved as their subject.
- Classical Influence: The speaker elevates the beloved above the Nine Muses, placing them in a divine realm of artistic inspiration.
Literary Devices:
- Metaphor:
- The beloved as the tenth Muse, surpassing the nine Muses of Greek mythology, highlights their divine influence.
- “Eternal numbers” symbolizes poetry’s lasting power.
- Hyperbole: The beloved is described as too excellent for every vulgar paper, exaggerating their supreme worth.
- Rhetorical Questions: “Who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee?” emphasizes that even the most inarticulate person would be inspired by the beloved.
- Personification: “Thou thyself dost give invention light” presents the beloved as illuminating creativity.
- Contrast: The poet takes credit for the labor (“the pain be mine”) but gives full artistic praise to the beloved (“thine shall be the praise”).
Conclusion:
Sonnet 38 is a powerful reflection on inspiration and poetic immortality. Shakespeare positions the beloved as a divine source of creativity, greater than the classical Muses, and suggests that poetry inspired by such beauty will endure through time. The sonnet is both a love poem and a meditation on the role of art in preserving human greatness.
