Sonnet 71 by William Shakespeare | The Triumph of Death | No longer mourn for me when I am dead | William Shakespeare | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sonnet 71
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
[The Triumph of Death]
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell;
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,
If thinking on me then should make you woe.
O, if (I say) you look upon this verse,
When I (perhaps) compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay,
Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
And mock you with me after I am gone.
Sonnet 71 by William Shakespeare: YouTube Link
Sonnet 71 by William Shakespeare Analysis
Line 1: No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Explanation
The speaker starts by directly addressing the beloved and asking them not to grieve excessively for him after his death.
Line 2: Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Explanation
He describes the church bell tolling for his death as “sullen” and “sullen,” suggesting its somber and unpleasant sound.
Line 3: Give warning to the world that I am fled
Explanation
The bell’s ringing serves as a public announcement of the speaker’s death.
Line 4: From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell;
Explanation
The speaker describes the world as “vile” and his burial place as being among “vilest worms,” emphasizing the unpleasantness of death and decay.
Line 5: Nay, if you read this line, remember not
Explanation
The speaker takes a step further and asks the beloved not to even remember him after reading his words.
Line 6: The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
Explanation
He justifies his request by emphasizing his deep love for the beloved.
Line 7: That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,
Explanation
He expresses his desire to be erased from the beloved’s memory if it would cause them pain.
Line 8: If thinking on me then should make you woe.
Explanation
He clarifies his reason for wanting to be forgotten – to avoid causing the beloved any sorrow.
Line 9: O, if (I say) you look upon this verse,
Explanation
He repeats his request and offers a hypothetical scenario where the beloved might read his words.
Line 10: When I (perhaps) compounded am with clay,
Explanation
The speaker imagines himself being buried and becoming one with the earth.
Line 11: Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
Explanation
He further emphasizes his desire to be forgotten and asks the beloved not to even mention his name.
Line 12: But let your love even with my life decay,
Explanation
He expresses a willingness for the beloved’s love for him to fade away with his life.
Line 13: Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
Explanation
He expresses concern about the world’s perception and fear of them mocking the beloved’s grief.
Line 14: And mock you with me after I am gone.
Explanation
The speaker ends by reiterating his fear of the world’s mockery.
