William Shakespeare‘s Sonnet 38 is an elegant meditation on the relationship between the poet and the muse, exploring themes of inspiration, creativity, and the eternal nature of poetry. As part of the fair youth sequence, Sonnet 38 addresses the poet’s reliance on the muse (the beloved) for both inspiration and form. With its well-structured 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, the sonnet adheres to the Shakespearean sonnet form, comprising three quatrains and a final couplet. The tone of the poem is one of gratitude and admiration, as Shakespeare praises the muse for the creative spark and substance that bring his poetry to life.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 38
How can my muse want subject to invent
While thou dost breathe that pour’st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
4For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
O, give thyself the thanks if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight,
For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee
8When thou thyself dost give invention light?
Be thou the tenth muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
12Eternal numbers to outlive long date.
If my slight muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 38
The sonnet is composed of 14 lines, following the typical structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. The poem’s rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with alternating quatrains leading into a concluding rhymed couplet. The language is elevated and complex, with a blend of self-reflection and praise directed toward the muse. The tone, initially one of humility and self-deprecation, shifts towards reverence and adoration as Shakespeare progresses through his argument. The closing couplet brings the poem full circle, leaving the poet with the ultimate humility of acknowledging that any success in his work ultimately belongs to the muse.
Analysis of Sonnet 38
Lines 1–4
“How can my muse want subject to invent
While thou dost breathe that pour’st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse?”
In the first quatrain, the poet expresses the tension between his creative limitations and the boundless inspiration he receives from the muse. He begins by questioning how his muse could ever lack a subject to write about, considering that the muse’s presence imbues his verse with its “sweet argument.” The phrase “too excellent for every vulgar paper to rehearse” implies that the muse’s influence is far too high-minded to be replicated in ordinary poetry, elevating the verse to a higher plane. Shakespeare is humble, acknowledging that his muse provides the essential essence for his writing, without which his poetry would lack substance or meaning.
Lines 5–8
“O, give thyself the thanks if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight,
For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee
When thou thyself dost give invention light?”
The second quatrain shifts toward a more direct address to the muse. Shakespeare offers the muse credit for any success in his writing, suggesting that if anything in his verse is worthy of attention, it is due to the muse’s divine influence. He contemplates the ease with which others could write to the muse, emphasizing that the muse’s light of invention makes it effortless for anyone to write about the muse’s beauty. This is a moment of humility, as Shakespeare suggests that the act of writing to the muse is a privilege rather than a labor.
Lines 9–12
“Be thou the tenth muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to outlive long date.”
In this third quatrain, Shakespeare places the muse in the exalted position of a “tenth muse,” superior to the traditional nine muses of Greek mythology. The poet argues that the fair youth (the muse) is more worthy than any of the classical muses, elevating the beloved to a godlike status. The phrase “eternal numbers” reinforces the idea that poems inspired by the muse will achieve immortality, surviving the passage of time and outlasting the ephemeral nature of mortal life. Shakespeare’s words here invoke the concept of poetry’s permanence, suggesting that the muse’s influence ensures that the poet’s creations will endure long after the poet’s death.
Lines 13–14
“If my slight muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.”
In the final couplet, Shakespeare expresses a sense of personal sacrifice. If his “slight muse” (referring to his own creativity) brings pleasure to the present age, he is willing to bear the burden of creating the poetry, but the praise for it will belong to the muse. This closing sentiment captures the ultimate message of the sonnet: the poet is nothing without the muse, and all the glory of the work belongs to the inspiration itself. This final acknowledgment of the muse’s paramount importance highlights Shakespeare’s humility and reverence for the source of his poetic creativity.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 38 offers a profound reflection on the creative process, emphasizing the indispensable role of the muse in the act of writing. Through a careful analysis of its structure and tone, the poem reveals the deep gratitude and reverence the poet feels toward the muse, acknowledging that the true value of his poetry lies not in his own skill, but in the muse’s ability to inspire and illuminate. The sonnet’s exploration of the eternal nature of poetry, its reliance on the muse, and the humility of the poet ultimately reflects Shakespeare’s broader understanding of art and inspiration, reinforcing his belief in the lasting power of poetry.
