Sonnet 26 by William Shakespeare | Sonnet 26 | Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sonnet 26
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,
To thee I send this written embassage,
To witness duty, not to show my wit:
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,
But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy soul’s thought, all naked, will bestow it:
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving,
Points on me graciously with fair aspect,
And puts apparel on my tottered loving,
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,
Explanation
This line establishes the poem’s core dynamic: a passionate, feudalistic devotion. “Lord” and “vassalage” paint the beloved as a powerful figure deserving utmost loyalty. “Thy merit” emphasizes the beloved’s qualities that inspire this devotion, suggesting it’s not blind infatuation but admiration for their character.
Metaphor: The speaker’s love is likened to a lord, and their duty to a vassal.
To thee I send this written embassage,
To witness duty, not to show my wit:
Explanation
This line clarifies the purpose of the poem. It’s not a boastful display of poetic skill (“wit”) but an “embassage,” a symbolic message offering proof of the speaker’s devotion. This humbles the poem’s intent, focusing on sincerity over artistic merit.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: The poem itself is a metaphor for an “embassage,” highlighting its role as a messenger of the speaker’s feelings.
Juxtaposition: “Duty” is contrasted with “wit,” emphasizing the poem’s intention to express sincere devotion, not impress with cleverness.
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,
Explanation
Here, the speaker downplays their ability to express the vastness of their love. “Duty so great” evokes a powerful emotion, while “wit so poor” reinforces the speaker’s self-doubt and fear of inadequacy. This creates a sense of emotional vulnerability and highlights the near-inexpressibility of their love.
Poetic Device
Hyperbole: The speaker exaggerates their ‘poor’ wit and ‘great’ duty.
But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy soul’s thought, all naked, will bestow it:
Explanation
Despite their self-doubt, the speaker finds hope in the beloved’s understanding. “Good conceit” suggests the beloved’s ability to see beyond the poem’s imperfections and appreciate the underlying sincerity. “Naked” implies honesty and vulnerability, adding depth to the speaker’s hope.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: The beloved’s understanding is referred to as being ‘naked’. The metaphor of the soul’s thought being “naked” implies openness and vulnerability, adding depth to the speaker’s hope.
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving,
Points on me graciously with fair aspect,
And puts apparel on my tottered loving,
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:
Explanation
This line introduces the “star,” a metaphor for a guiding force or influence. The speaker yearns for something external to elevate their ability to express love. “Tattered loving” portrays their love as incomplete, waiting to be adorned and made worthy of the beloved’s respect. This suggests a desire for improvement and a sense of inadequacy in their current state.
Metaphor: The “star” is a powerful metaphor for various interpretations: inspiration, divine intervention, chance, or even fate.
Personification: The ‘star’ is personified as guiding and pointing.
Metaphor and Personification: “Tattered loving” is a metaphor for imperfect love, personified by being “appareled” and made worthy.
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.
Explanation
This line reveals the speaker’s fear of being judged. They hesitate to openly express their love (“show my head”) until they feel more confident and worthy. “Prove me” implies a potential test of their love’s sincerity and depth. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: “Show my head” is a metaphor for revealing themselves and their love openly, suggesting vulnerability and potential shame.
Summary
Sonnet 26 by William Shakespeare expresses the speaker’s profound devotion to the person he loves, referred to as the “Lord of my love.” The speaker acknowledges that his duty and loyalty to this person are strong, emphasizing that the purpose of the sonnet is not to showcase his cleverness but to bear witness to his sense of duty. The speaker humbly admits that his limited wit may make his expression of duty seem inadequate, lacking the eloquence that he desires.
The speaker hopes that the recipient of the sonnet will find some good understanding or conception within their own thoughts, as his feelings are laid bare. He anticipates a time when the guiding star of fate will shine favorably upon him, enhancing his worthiness in the eyes of the beloved. The speaker uses metaphorical language, describing this enhancement as putting “apparel on my tottered loving,” suggesting a transformation or improvement in his love.
The sonnet concludes with the speaker expressing a desire to boast about his love when the time is right, indicating that he will not make grand proclamations until he feels confident in the reciprocation of his affections. Until that moment, he remains cautious and does not reveal the depth of his feelings, fearing potential rejection or disproval from the object of his love.
Key Points
Author
William Shakespeare is considered to be one of the most important English-language writers. His plays and poems are read all over the world.
Form
Sonnet 26 is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that is contained within one stanza. The form that has become synonymous with the poet’s name. The English or Shakespearean sonnet is made up of three quatrains, or sets of four lines, and one concluding couplet, or set of two rhyming lines.
Speaker
The speaker is a character created by Shakespeare who is deeply in love and expresses a profound sense of duty and devotion towards their beloved.
Setting
The setting of the sonnet is not explicitly mentioned. The focus is more on the inner thoughts and emotions of the speaker, rather than on a specific external setting.
Theme
The main themes of the sonnet are love and duty. The speaker conveys a strong sense of obligation and service to the beloved, hoping for a reciprocal acknowledgment of their love.
Plot
The sonnet doesn’t have a traditional plot. Instead, it presents the speaker’s emotions and thoughts regarding their love and duty. The speaker sends the sonnet as a message to the beloved, expressing their deep sense of duty and their desire for a sign that they are deserving of the beloved’s love.
Tone
The tone of the sonnet is humble and hopeful. The speaker humbly acknowledges their limitations in expressing their feelings and expresses hope for understanding and reciprocation from the beloved.
Style
The sonnet’s style is characterized by the use of metaphor, personification, alliteration, and hyperbole. These poetic devices allow Shakespeare to convey complex emotions and ideas in a condensed and evocative form.
Message
The message of the sonnet revolves around the vulnerability and hope inherent in love. The speaker refrains from boasting about their love until they feel they have earned the respect of their beloved. This reflects the humility and caution that often accompany deep feelings of love.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme
Structure
The structure of Sonnet 26 follows the typical structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. It is composed of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The quatrains often introduce a problem or question, while the couplet provides a resolution or answer.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other (A and C, D and F), as do the second and fourth lines (B and D, E and G). The final couplet (GG) also rhymes.
This structure and rhyme scheme are characteristic of Shakespeare’s sonnets and are part of what gives them their musicality and emotional impact.
Word Meaning
| Line | Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | Lord | Master, ruler | स्वामी, मालिक |
| 1 | Vassalage | Feudal service, subservience | अधीनता, दासता |
| 2 | Thy | archaic or dialect form of your. | “आपका” का पुरातन या बोली रूप। |
| 2 | Merit | Worth, excellence | गुण, योग्यता |
| 2 | Hath | Has / Have | |
| 2 | Knit | Bind, connect | जोड़ना, बाँधना |
| 3 | Thee | archaic or dialect form of you | “आप” का पुरातन या बोली रूप |
| 3 | Embassage | Embassy, mission | दूतावास, राजदूत |
| 4 | Witness | Testify, prove | साक्षी होना, प्रमाणित करना |
| 4 | Wit | Cleverness, intelligence | चतुराई, बुद्धि |
| 6 | Bare | Uncovered, exposed | निर्वस्त्र, खुला |
| 6 | Wanting | Lacking, deficient | कमी होना, अभाव होना |
| 7 | Conceit | Opinion, understanding | धारणा, समझ |
| 7 | Thine | a word meaning ‘yours’, used when talking to only one person. | एक शब्द जिसका अर्थ ‘तुम्हारा’ है, जिसका उपयोग केवल एक व्यक्ति से बात करते समय किया जाता है। |
| 8 | Naked | Uncovered, honest | निर्वस्त्र, सच्चा |
| 8 | Bestow | Provide | प्रदान करना |
| 10 | Graciously | Humanely | विनय से |
| 10 | Aspect | Appearance, expression | रूप, भाव |
| 11 | Apparel | Cloth | परिधान |
| 11 | Tattered | Torn, worn | फटा हुआ, घिसा हुआ |
| 13 | Boast | Brag, proclaim proudly | शेखी बघारना, डींग मारना |
| 14 | Thou | archaic or dialect form of you, as the singular subject of a verb. | क्रिया के एकवचन विषय के रूप में “आप” का पुरातन या बोली रूप। |
Very Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of “Sonnet 26”?
A: The author of “Sonnet 26” is William Shakespeare.
Q: What is the form of “Sonnet 26”?
A: “Sonnet 26” is a sonnet, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.
Q: Who is the speaker in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker in “Sonnet 26” is a character created by Shakespeare who is deeply in love.
Q: What is the setting of “Sonnet 26”?
A: The setting of “Sonnet 26” is not explicitly stated, focusing more on the speaker’s inner feelings and thoughts.
Q: What is the main theme of “Sonnet 26”?
A: The main theme of “Sonnet 26” is love and duty.
Q: What is the plot of “Sonnet 26”?
A: “Sonnet 26” presents the speaker’s feelings of love and duty towards their beloved.
Q: What is the tone of “Sonnet 26”?
A: The tone of “Sonnet 26” is humble and hopeful.
Q: What style is used in “Sonnet 26”?
A: “Sonnet 26” uses various poetic devices such as metaphor, personification, alliteration, and hyperbole.
Q: What is the message of “Sonnet 26”?
A: The message of “Sonnet 26” is about the vulnerability and hope inherent in love.
Q: How does the speaker express their love in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker expresses their love through a sense of duty and devotion to their beloved.
Q: What does the speaker send to their beloved in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker sends a written message or “embassage” to their beloved.
Q: What does the speaker hope for in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker hopes for understanding and reciprocation from their beloved.
Q: What sign is the speaker waiting for in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker is waiting for a “star” to guide them, symbolizing a sign of their beloved’s love.
Q: What will this sign do for the speaker’s love in “Sonnet 26”?
A: This sign will “put apparel” on their love, meaning it will validate and give form to their love.
Q: When will the speaker dare to express their love in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker will dare to express their love when they feel they have earned their beloved’s respect.
Q: What does the “head” represent in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The “head” represents the speaker’s presence or visibility.
Q: What does the “star” represent in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The “star” represents a sign or guidance from the beloved.
Q: What does “vassalage” symbolize in “Sonnet 26”?
A: “Vassalage” symbolizes the speaker’s sense of duty and devotion to their beloved.
Q: What does the “apparel” symbolize in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The “apparel” symbolizes validation and form given to the speaker’s love.
Q: What does the speaker’s “wit” refer to in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker’s “wit” refers to their ability to express their feelings.
Short Answer Questions
Q: How does the speaker in “Sonnet 26” express their love?
A: The speaker expresses their love through a sense of duty and devotion to their beloved. They send this sonnet as a written message to their beloved, bearing witness to their duty and not to showcase their wit or cleverness. This shows the depth of their love and their humility.
Q: What does the speaker hope for in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker hopes for understanding and reciprocation from their beloved. Despite their inability to express their feelings adequately, they hope that their beloved will understand their intentions and bestow meaning upon their words. This reflects the speaker’s vulnerability and their hope for love.
Q: What sign is the speaker waiting for in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker is waiting for a “star” to guide them, symbolizing a sign of their beloved’s love. This sign will validate and give form to their love, showing them that they are worthy of their beloved’s love. This reflects the speaker’s anticipation and hope.
Q: What will this sign do for the speaker’s love in “Sonnet 26”?
A: This sign will “put apparel” on their love, meaning it will validate and give form to their love. It will show the speaker that they are worthy of their beloved’s love, giving them the confidence to express their love openly.
Q: When will the speaker dare to express their love in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker will dare to express their love when they feel they have earned their beloved’s respect. They will not make themselves known or visible until they feel they are worthy of their beloved’s love. This reflects the speaker’s humility and caution.
Q: What does the “head” represent in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The “head” represents the speaker’s presence or visibility. The speaker will not “show my head,” meaning they will not make themselves known or visible until they feel they have earned their beloved’s respect. This symbolizes the speaker’s humility and their fear of rejection.
Q: What does the “star” represent in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The “star” represents a sign or guidance from the beloved. The speaker is waiting for this “star” to guide them, showing them that they are worthy of their beloved’s love. This symbolizes the speaker’s hope and anticipation for reciprocation of their love.
Q: What does “vassalage” symbolize in “Sonnet 26”?
A: “Vassalage” symbolizes the speaker’s sense of duty and devotion to their beloved. It refers to the feudal system where a vassal pledged loyalty to a lord, symbolizing the speaker’s deep sense of obligation and service to their beloved.
Q: What does the “apparel” symbolize in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The “apparel” symbolizes validation and form given to the speaker’s love. The speaker is waiting for a sign to “put apparel” on their love, meaning it will validate and give form to their love. This symbolizes the speaker’s desire for their love to be recognized and reciprocated.
Q: What does the speaker’s “wit” refer to in “Sonnet 26”?
A: The speaker’s “wit” refers to their ability to express their feelings. The speaker acknowledges that their wit may be inadequate to express the depth of their duty and love, reflecting their humility and the intensity of their feelings.
Essay Type Questions
Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Introduction
“Sonnet 26” is one of the 154 sonnets written by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It’s a part of his famous collection of sonnets which were first published in 1609. This sonnet, like the others, deals with themes of love, beauty, time, and mutability.
Form and Structure
“Sonnet 26” follows the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. It’s composed of 14 lines divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This form allows for a clear and focused development of thought.
Language and Imagery
The language used in “Sonnet 26” is rich and expressive. Shakespeare uses various poetic devices such as metaphor, personification, alliteration, and hyperbole to convey complex emotions and ideas. For instance, the speaker’s beloved is referred to as the “Lord of my love,” indicating a deep sense of devotion and submission. The speaker’s feelings are likened to a “vassalage,” a term from the feudal system, symbolizing their sense of duty and service.
Themes
The main theme of “Sonnet 26” is love and duty. The speaker expresses a deep sense of obligation and service to their beloved, and their hope that their love will be reciprocated. This theme is explored through the speaker’s humble and hopeful tone, and their longing for a sign of reciprocation from their beloved.
Tone and Mood
The tone of “Sonnet 26” is humble and hopeful. The speaker acknowledges their limitations in expressing their feelings and hopes for understanding and reciprocation from their beloved. The mood of the sonnet is reflective and anticipatory, as the speaker contemplates their feelings and looks forward to a sign of their beloved’s love.
Poetic Devices
Metaphor
Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things that are basically dissimilar. In “Sonnet 26”, the speaker’s beloved is referred to as the “Lord of my love,” indicating a deep sense of devotion and submission. The speaker’s feelings are likened to a “vassalage,” a term from the feudal system, symbolizing their sense of duty and service. The “star” represents a sign or guidance from the beloved, and the “apparel” symbolizes validation and form given to the speaker’s love.
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea, object, or animal is given human characteristics. In “Sonnet 26”, the sonnet itself is personified as an ‘embassage’ or message. The ‘star’ is also personified as guiding and pointing, symbolizing a sign of their beloved’s love.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. In “Sonnet 26”, the speaker uses hyperbole when they talk about their ‘poor’ wit and ‘great’ duty. This exaggeration emphasizes the disparity between the speaker’s feelings and their ability to express them.
Imagery
Imagery is the use of language to represent objects, actions, or ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses. In “Sonnet 26”, the imagery of the ‘star’ and ‘apparel’ creates a vivid picture of the speaker’s anticipation and hope for reciprocation of their love.
Message
The message of “Sonnet 26” is about the vulnerability and hope inherent in love. The speaker dares not boast about their love or show themselves until they feel they have earned their beloved’s respect. This reflects the humility and caution that often accompany deep feelings of love.
Conclusion
“Sonnet 26” is a beautiful exploration of love, duty, humility, and hope. The speaker’s deep sense of devotion and their longing for reciprocation are expressed through rich metaphors, personification, alliteration, and hyperbole. The sonnet’s iambic pentameter also contributes to its rhythmic and melodic quality. It’s a poignant exploration of the vulnerability and hope inherent in love.
