Shakespeare Sonnet Analysis

Sonnet 1
   x       /    x       /      x       /     x   /     x      /
From fairest creatures we desire increase,  A
 x     /     x     /  x   /      x      /       x    /    x
That thereby beauty's rose might never die,  B
x    /    x    /  x       /      x     /      x   /
But as the riper should by time decease, A
x      /   x      /      x       /      x    /   x   /
His tender heir might bear his memory: B
x       /     x    /   x     /     x         /        x      /
But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes, C
   x       /       x          /       x      /     x    /      x     /
Feed'st thy light's flame with self-substantial fuel, D
x     /     x   /   x       /      x   /    x       /
Making a famine where abundance lies, C
 x      /    x    /    x   /       x         /      x     /
Thy self thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel: D
  x     /      x     /    x     /             x      / x  /
Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament, E
x      /   x   /    x   /    x   /   x       /
And only herald to the gaudy spring, F
x     /       x      /      x    /     x      /   x    /
Within thine own bud buriest thy content, E
x        /    x     /           x       /      x    /    x     /
And, tender churl, mak'st waste in niggarding: F
 x  /     x      /      x   /       x     /    x    /
  Pity the world, or else this glutton be, G
   x    /     x       /        x     /   x      /       x       /
  To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee. G
Line by Line Analysis:
We desire an increase of beautiful human beings
In order to insure the concept of beauty never vanishing
So as time goes on and passes,
His heir may be of literal resemblance to himself
But he decreased his own beauty/brightness
By feeding his flame with self concerned "fuel" or thoughts
Making those around him unaware of his true beauty/uniqueness
He is his own enemy
He is the world's most beautiful ornament
But only concerned with the present
He buried himself content within himself
And wasted his time being selfish and greedy
He owes it to the world or else gluttony (or greed) will continue
To take over the world even from his grave
All Green Highlights are examples of figurative language
Red letters at the end of each line indicate the rhyme scheme pattern
Summary of Quatrain 1 : Everyone wishes that beautiful things may keep on living, or at the very least, pass on it’s beauty. However, just as things in nature ripen and die, humans reach their “ripe” or “prime” and then aging begins. Therefore, they rely on their heirs to pass on their beauty or legacy.
Summary of Quatrain 2 : The narrator begins saying that the focal character of the story decreased their own beauty and radiance by filling themselves with narcissistic and self absorbed thoughts, ideas, and expressions; in turn, diminishing their beauty or uniqueness on the inside. Thus, the person is his own enemy.
Summary of Quatrain 3 : The narrator says the main character was the world’s most prized possession, but because he was self concerned with the present, he wasted his time being greedy and selfish.

Summary of Couplet : Finally the narrator states that the main character owes it to the world to pity the world because he will not pass on inner beauty; rather, he will create a legacy of greed and gluttony, which will destroy the world, even from his grave.

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