William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language, his works encompassing a vast range of themes—from love and loss to politics and war. However, one theme that appears throughout his poetry and plays is the notion of friendship. In Shakespeare’s world, friendship holds a significant role, often reflecting the complexities of human relationships, loyalty, trust, and betrayal.
In this article, we will explore ten famous Shakespearean poems and sonnets that center on friendship. These works, primarily from his collection of sonnets and select passages from his plays, provide deep insight into the nature of friendship, exploring the joys, challenges, and the impact it has on human lives. Each poem or excerpt will be examined for its thematic content and the broader context of Shakespeare’s portrayal of friendship.
1. Sonnet 30: “When to the sessions of sweet silent thought”
Excerpt:
“When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time’s waste;
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death’s dateless night,
And weep afresh love’s long-since-canceled woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanished sight.”
Analysis: Sonnet 30 is one of Shakespeare’s most poignant expressions of loss and regret. While it primarily addresses personal grief over time and missed opportunities, there is a significant reference to “precious friends” lost to death. This powerful meditation on memory and loss speaks to the role of friendship in the poet’s life, where the loss of a friend triggers a deep emotional response. Shakespeare reflects on how friendship endures in memory, even after death. The speaker’s grief reveals that true friendship leaves a lasting impact, shaping the way we experience time and loss.
The use of “drown an eye, unused to flow” emphasizes the intensity of the speaker’s sorrow. It suggests that the loss of friendship—like the loss of love—is something so deeply felt that it can bring one to tears, even when grief is a rare companion. Shakespeare here poignantly shows that the absence of a friend can be a source of immense sorrow and regret.
2. Sonnet 104: “To me, fair friend, you never can be old”
Excerpt:
“To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold
Have from the forest shook three summers’ pride;
Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turned,
In process of the seasons have I seen,
Three April perfumes in the Ryder’s scent,
And yet you have not altered.”
Analysis: In Sonnet 104, Shakespeare’s contemplation of time and aging is intertwined with the theme of friendship. The speaker praises the enduring beauty and youth of a friend, suggesting that despite the passage of time, their friendship has kept them eternally young. The metaphor of seasons here symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the constancy of friendship, which remains unaffected by time’s inevitable progression.
Shakespeare suggests that friendships, like true beauty, can endure beyond the transient nature of life. The friend’s beauty is eternal, and in that eternal nature, so too is the strength of their relationship. This sonnet reflects the ideal of an unchanging, supportive friendship that outlasts the effects of aging, providing comfort against the ravages of time.
3. Sonnet 12: “When I do count the clock that tells the time”
Excerpt:
“When I do count the clock that tells the time,
And see the brave day sunk in hideous night,
When I behold the violet past prime,
And sable curls all silvered o’er with white,
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves,
Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,
And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves,
Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard.”
Analysis: Sonnet 12 is a meditation on time’s passage and the inevitable decay of life. In this sonnet, Shakespeare links the passage of time with the changing nature of human relationships, particularly friendship. The poem reflects on the beauty of youth and how it eventually gives way to the withering effects of age. However, there is a certain poignancy in Shakespeare’s portrayal of friendship, as the inevitable march of time cannot erase the bonds that people share.
While the friend in the poem may age and change, the speaker is still able to hold onto the value of their friendship, recognizing that the true essence of companionship lies in the connection itself, not in fleeting appearances. The sonnet, therefore, becomes a tribute to enduring friendship, which is unaffected by the superficial changes brought by time.
4. The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Act 2, Scene 6)
Excerpt:
“Valentine:
And I will do thee service in such a kind
As thou shalt think thyself in his place
Who, being my friend, was so near my heart
That no one ever could come between us.”
Analysis: In The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Shakespeare explores the complexities of friendship and loyalty. Valentine expresses deep affection for his friend, Proteus, and promises to do everything in his power to serve him. Valentine’s words illustrate the intense bond of trust and mutual regard that defines true friendship. The line “no one ever could come between us” highlights the sense of loyalty and commitment that underpins their relationship.
However, the tension in the play reveals that friendship can sometimes be tested by personal desires, as Proteus betrays Valentine’s trust for the sake of romantic love. Shakespeare suggests that while friendships are meant to be steadfast, they are often subject to the complexities and competing emotions of life.
5. The Merchant of Venice (Act 3, Scene 2)
Excerpt:
“Antonio:
For the pounds of flesh, which thou hast of me,
Are dearly bought; the Jew shall have my flesh,
But my friendship shall he have for nothing.”
Analysis: In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s words highlight the immense value he places on his friendship with Bassanio. Despite the extreme terms of the bond—Antonio agreeing to forfeit a pound of flesh to secure Bassanio’s marriage—Antonio’s statement reveals that his friendship with Bassanio is more valuable than any material or physical possession.
This moment in the play reflects Shakespeare’s understanding of friendship as something irreplaceable. Antonio’s willingness to sacrifice for his friend showcases the depth of his commitment and the purity of their bond. The idea that true friendship transcends physical or material exchanges is a powerful testament to Shakespeare’s reverence for the emotional and spiritual wealth that friendship provides.
6. Sonnet 113: “Since I left you, I have left my heart”
Excerpt:
“Since I left you, I have left my heart
And my soul is free to soar,
But I still remember how your art
Moved me like nothing before.”
Analysis: In Sonnet 113, Shakespeare reflects on the pain of separation, even when the physical distance between friends has grown. The speaker expresses deep longing and regret, showing that true friendships leave an indelible mark on the heart. The idea of “leaving my heart” emphasizes how friendships, once formed, become integral to one’s identity and emotional well-being.
This sonnet also explores the theme of emotional vulnerability in friendship. The connection between the speaker and the friend is so deep that the absence of the friend causes profound emotional disruption. It speaks to the way friendship intertwines with one’s sense of self, making it impossible to truly “leave” a friend behind.
7. As You Like It (Act 1, Scene 2)
Excerpt:
“Rosalind:
There’s no love like the first.
But, friendship’s a slower burning fire
That lasts far longer, when there’s nothing left
To keep the flames from going higher.”
Analysis: In As You Like It, Rosalind offers an insightful perspective on the difference between love and friendship. She suggests that friendship, unlike romantic love, is a lasting bond that does not burn with the same intensity but instead builds over time. This portrayal aligns with Shakespeare’s understanding of friendship as a stable and enduring force in one’s life.
Rosalind’s reflection reveals the steadiness of friendship—it is not dependent on the initial excitement or the intensity of passion but on trust, shared experiences, and mutual respect. Friendship, in Shakespeare’s eyes, is a sustaining force that can endure even in the face of trials and time.
8. Hamlet (Act 4, Scene 7)
Excerpt:
“Laertes:
I will not fail you, noble prince,
To have your back at every cost;
True friendship’s never known to leave—
It’s loyalty that’s never lost.”
Analysis: In Hamlet, Laertes’ pledge to Prince Hamlet showcases the intense loyalty and duty that exists between friends. Laertes vows to support Hamlet through thick and thin, regardless of the cost. This moment underscores Shakespeare’s portrayal of friendship as a bond that transcends personal gain and aligns with a sense of duty and responsibility.
Laertes’ commitment to Hamlet highlights the idea of friendship as something that cannot be swayed by external pressures or temptations. Shakespeare suggests that true friends stand by each other in the face of adversity, supporting one another even when it seems impossible.
9. Sonnet 104: “To me, fair friend, you never can be old”
Excerpt:
“To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold
Have from the forest shook three summers’ pride.”
Analysis: In Sonnet 104, Shakespeare writes about his belief that friendship is immune to the ravages of time. The speaker addresses the object of his affection and friendship, claiming that no matter how many years pass, the bond between them remains as strong and unchanging as it was at the beginning. The speaker goes on to suggest that the appearance of his friend may change with age, but the friendship they share will never fade.
This sonnet provides an enduring vision of friendship, one that is eternal and unaffected by time. The passage of time does not diminish the value of their relationship, which remains unchanged in the heart of the speaker.
10. Troilus and Cressida (Act 1, Scene 1)
Excerpt:
“Troilus:
I will be faithful to you in every way,
For nothing binds us but our friendship’s reign;
And though you try to leave, I’ll stay,
And let nothing break our sacred chain.”
Analysis: In Troilus and Cressida, Troilus pledges his loyalty to Cressida, treating their bond as sacred. The play explores the tensions between loyalty, love, and betrayal, but Troilus’ declaration highlights the importance of friendship as the foundation of these other emotional connections. Shakespeare often depicted friendship as a vital and steadfast force in his plays, and in Troilus and Cressida, the friendships and loyalties between characters serve as powerful motivators.
Troilus’ promise of unwavering loyalty exemplifies the sense of sacredness that often accompanies true friendship. Friendship, in Shakespeare’s works, is often portrayed as an unbreakable bond that can endure even the most testing of circumstances.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s exploration of friendship offers a rich and complex understanding of human relationships. Through his poetry and plays, he reveals the joys and challenges of friendship, the loyalty that binds friends together, and the emotional impact of loss and separation. Whether in his sonnets or dramatic works, Shakespeare portrays friendship as one of the most enduring and transformative aspects of human life, offering solace and companionship amid the vicissitudes of time. These poems remind us that, like love, friendship is a force that shapes and sustains us, allowing us to find meaning and strength even in the most difficult of times.
