Sonnet 85: My Tongue-Tied Muse In Manners Holds Her Still
My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,
While comments of your praise richly compiled,
Reserve thy character with golden quill,
And precious phrase by all the Muses filed.
I think good thoughts, whilst others write good words,
And like unlettered clerk still cry ‘Amen’
To every hymn that able spirit affords,
In polished form of well-refined pen.
Hearing you praised, I say ”tis so, ’tis true,’
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.
Then others, for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
Line 1:
“My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Tongue-tied Muse: The speaker’s poetic inspiration, which is silent or restrained.
- Manners: Decorum or propriety.
- Holds her still: Remains silent.
Explanation:
The speaker begins by stating that his Muse, or poetic inspiration, remains silent out of a sense of propriety or respect. This suggests that he feels unable or unwilling to compete with the elaborate praise of others.
Context:
This line sets the tone for the sonnet, introducing the theme of the speaker’s humility and his reluctance to engage in excessive praise.
Line 2:
“While comments of your praise richly compiled,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Richly compiled: Elaborately composed.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that others have written extensive and elaborate praises of the beloved, contrasting with his own silence.
Context:
This line highlights the competitive nature of poetry and the speaker’s sense of inadequacy in comparison to other poets.
Line 3:
“Reserve thy character with golden quill,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Reserve thy character: Preserve your reputation or essence.
- Golden quill: A symbol of superior or luxurious writing.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that other poets use their finest tools and language to capture and preserve the beloved’s essence.
Context:
This line emphasizes the effort and skill that other poets put into their praise, further highlighting the speaker’s sense of inadequacy.
Line 4:
“And precious phrase by all the Muses filed.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Precious phrase: Valuable or exquisite language.
- Muses filed: Refined or perfected by the Muses, the goddesses of inspiration.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that other poets use language that has been refined and perfected, suggesting a high level of artistry and skill.
Context:
This line reinforces the idea that other poets are highly skilled and their praise is elaborate and polished.
Line 5:
“I think good thoughts, whilst others write good words,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Good thoughts: Positive or admiring thoughts.
- Good words: Eloquent or flattering language.
Explanation:
The speaker contrasts his own silent admiration with the eloquent praise of others, suggesting that his thoughts are sincere even if they are not expressed in words.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s humility and his belief in the value of sincere thoughts over elaborate language.
Line 6:
“And like unlettered clerk still cry ‘Amen’”
Difficult words meaning:
- Unlettered clerk: An uneducated or simple person.
- Cry ‘Amen’: Express agreement or approval.
Explanation:
The speaker compares himself to a simple, uneducated person who can only express agreement with the praises of others, suggesting his own inability to match their eloquence.
Context:
This line emphasizes the speaker’s sense of inadequacy and his reliance on the praise of others to express his admiration for the beloved.
Line 7:
“To every hymn that able spirit affords,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Hymn: Song of praise.
- Able spirit: Skilled or talented poet.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges the skill and talent of other poets, whose praises he can only agree with but not surpass.
Context:
This line reinforces the idea that the speaker feels overshadowed by the more skilled and eloquent poets.
Line 8:
“In polished form of well-refined pen.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Polished form: Refined or perfected style.
- Well-refined pen: Skillful writing.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that the praises of other poets are crafted with great skill and refinement, further emphasizing his own sense of inadequacy.
Context:
This line highlights the contrast between the speaker’s simple, silent admiration and the elaborate, polished praise of others.
Line 9:
“Hearing you praised, I say ”tis so, ”tis true,’”
Difficult words meaning:
- ‘Tis so, ’tis true: It is so, it is true.
Explanation:
The speaker admits that when he hears others praise the beloved, he can only agree with their words, as they accurately reflect his own feelings.
Context:
This line underscores the speaker’s humility and his reliance on the words of others to express his admiration.
Line 10:
“And to the most of praise add something more;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Most of praise: The highest praise.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that even the highest praise of others falls short of capturing the beloved’s true worth, and he feels compelled to add his own silent admiration.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s belief in the beloved’s incomparable worth and his own unique contribution to their praise.
Line 11:
“But that is in my thought, whose love to you,”
Difficult words meaning:
- In my thought: In my mind or heart.
Explanation:
The speaker explains that his additional praise exists in his thoughts and feelings, which are deeply rooted in his love for the beloved.
Context:
This line emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the speaker’s admiration, even if it is not expressed in words.
Line 12:
“Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Hindmost: Last or least.
- Holds his rank before: Takes precedence or comes first.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that his thoughts and feelings of love take precedence over his words, even if his words come last or are less eloquent.
Context:
This line reinforces the idea that the speaker’s silent admiration is more sincere and valuable than the elaborate praise of others.
Line 13:
“Then others, for the breath of words respect,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Breath of words: Spoken or written language.
- Respect: Admire or value.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges that others are admired for their eloquent words, but he values his own silent thoughts and feelings more highly.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s belief in the superiority of sincere thoughts over elaborate language.
Line 14:
“Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Dumb thoughts: Silent or unspoken thoughts.
- Speaking in effect: Having a powerful impact.
Explanation:
The speaker concludes by stating that his silent thoughts, though unspoken, have a powerful and meaningful impact, reflecting his deep love and admiration for the beloved.
Context:
This final line ties together the sonnet’s central theme: the value of sincere and heartfelt admiration, even if it is not expressed in words.
Overall Summary:
In Sonnet 85, Shakespeare explores the themes of sincerity, humility, and the limitations of language. The speaker contrasts his own silent admiration with the elaborate praise of other poets, suggesting that his thoughts and feelings are more sincere and valuable, even if they are not expressed in words. The sonnet celebrates the power of silent, heartfelt love and the limitations of elaborate language in capturing true admiration. It is a meditation on the nature of sincere expression and the value of inner feelings over outward words.
In-Depth Summary
In Sonnet 85, Shakespeare contrasts his own poetic silence with the eloquent praise given to the Fair Youth by other poets. The speaker describes his “tongue-tied Muse” as being silent out of politeness, allowing other writers to compile elaborate praises of the youth in refined, polished verse. These rival poets use grand rhetorical flourishes, capturing the youth’s virtues with a “golden quill” and “precious phrase” shaped by the influence of all the Muses.
Rather than competing with them, the speaker takes a different approach. He admits that while he may not express himself in ornate language, he still harbors deep admiration for the youth. He likens himself to an “unlettered clerk,” someone unskilled in writing, who simply says “Amen” to the elegant praises written by others. While others compose hymns of praise with “well-refined pens,” the speaker only affirms them, silently agreeing with their words.
However, despite his silence, the speaker asserts that his love is no less profound. He insists that while his words may come “hindmost” (after others’), his love holds “rank before”—meaning that his sincerity and devotion take precedence over poetic embellishment.
In the final couplet, the speaker makes a distinction between those who are praised for their eloquence and himself, who should be valued for his unspoken yet deeply felt devotion. Unlike other poets who seek admiration through “the breath of words,” he believes that his silent love is just as meaningful—perhaps even more so.
Critical Analysis
1. Silence as a Form of Devotion
The central paradox of the poem is that the speaker’s silence is his truest form of praise. Rather than competing with the Rival Poet(s) by producing elaborate verses, he takes a humbler approach—choosing to love and admire the youth quietly. This reflects a belief that sincerity matters more than literary skill. The idea that deep love can exist without words contrasts with the typical function of poetry as a medium of expression.
2. The Rival Poet and the Poet’s Struggle
This sonnet is another entry in Shakespeare’s Rival Poet sequence, where he compares himself to other poets who lavish the Fair Youth with extravagant praise. He presents himself as a passive figure, merely affirming their words rather than composing his own. However, this self-deprecating tone is somewhat ironic—Shakespeare is writing a sonnet, even as he claims to be silent. This suggests an inner conflict: while he downplays his poetic abilities, he still seeks to express himself in some way.
3. The Value of Thought Over Words
A major argument in the poem is that genuine emotion is more valuable than verbal embellishment. Shakespeare suggests that his love for the Fair Youth is purer and more meaningful precisely because it is unspoken. In contrast, other poets may impress with their skill, but their words are empty compared to the speaker’s deeply felt, silent devotion.
4. Religious Undertones and Humility
The reference to an “unlettered clerk” who says “Amen” suggests religious humility. The speaker likens himself to someone who, lacking the ability to compose grand hymns, can only affirm the words of those more skilled. This conveys a sense of reverence for the youth—almost as if he were a divine figure worthy of worship. The idea of poetry as a form of devotion ties into Renaissance beliefs about the poet’s role in immortalizing beauty.
Theme Analysis
1. The Limitations of Language
Shakespeare questions whether words can ever fully capture true beauty and love. While rival poets attempt to immortalize the Fair Youth through elaborate praise, the speaker suggests that sincere thought is more meaningful than mere words.
2. Sincerity vs. Ornamentation
The sonnet contrasts genuine emotion with rhetorical flourish. The speaker argues that his silent love is more valuable than the highly polished, artificially constructed praises of other poets.
3. The Rival Poet
Like other sonnets in this sequence, Sonnet 85 critiques poets who use grand language to impress. Shakespeare presents himself as a humble figure, but there is an underlying irony—by writing the sonnet, he proves his poetic prowess, subtly undermining his supposed inferiority.
4. Love as Worship
The poem contains religious imagery, portraying the speaker as a humble believer affirming the praises of others. This suggests that love can be a form of spiritual reverence, where true devotion lies not in words but in the depth of feeling.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor
- “My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still”
- The speaker’s Muse (his inspiration for poetry) is personified as being “tongue-tied,” representing his supposed inability to write elaborate praise.
- “Reserve thy character with golden quill”
- A “golden quill” symbolizes the refined, ornate language of rival poets, contrasting with the speaker’s plain sincerity.
2. Religious Allusion
- “And like unlettered clerk still cry ‘Amen’”
- The speaker compares himself to an uneducated church clerk who can only respond with Amen to the words of more learned men. This suggests humility and the idea that true admiration does not require elaborate expression.
3. Contrast (Antithesis)
- “I think good thoughts, whilst others write good words”
- This contrast highlights the poem’s central argument: deep thought and love are superior to elaborate but potentially insincere praise.
4. Enjambment
- The lack of pauses between lines reflects the natural flow of thought, reinforcing the idea that true admiration does not need rigid poetic structure.
5. Parallelism
- “Hearing you praised, I say ’tis so, ’tis true,”
- The repetition of ’tis so, ’tis true mimics a simple affirmation, reinforcing the speaker’s passive role as an admirer rather than an active poet.
6. Irony
- Despite claiming to be “tongue-tied,” the speaker composes a sophisticated and beautifully crafted sonnet, proving his poetic skill even as he downplays it.
Conclusion
Sonnet 85 explores the idea that true admiration does not require words. Shakespeare contrasts his own humble, silent love with the grand poetic praises of his rivals, suggesting that deep feeling is more valuable than rhetorical skill. The poem also contains an ironic undercurrent—while the speaker claims to be “tongue-tied,” the sonnet itself is a testament to his poetic brilliance.
This sonnet continues the theme of the Rival Poet sequence, reinforcing Shakespeare’s belief that sincerity outweighs ornamentation. It also touches on religious imagery, portraying love as an act of quiet devotion. Ultimately, Sonnet 85 argues that true love and admiration are best expressed not in words, but in deep, unspoken devotion.
