William Shakespeare‘s Sonnet 59, like many of his works, reflects on themes of time, memory, and human experience, as well as the idea of immortality through art. In this particular sonnet, Shakespeare contemplates the cyclical nature of history and artistic creation, expressing both a longing for something original and an appreciation for what has been preserved in the past. Through a careful analysis of its structure, tone, and individual quatrains, we can uncover the deeper meaning of the poem.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 59
If there be nothing new, but that which is
Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled,
Which, laboring for invention, bear amiss
The second burden of a former child.
O, that record could with a backward look,
Even of five hundred courses of the sun,
Show me your image in some antique book,
Since mind at first in character was done,
That I might see what the old world could say
To this composèd wonder of your frame;
Whether we are mended, or whe’er better they,
Or whether revolution be the same.
O, sure I am the wits of former days
To subjects worse have given admiring praise.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 59
Sonnet 59 follows the traditional structure of the English sonnet, consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter. It is organized into three quatrains followed by a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of Shakespearean sonnets. The poem deals with the theme of time, revolving around the idea that art and memory preserve human experience, as well as the complex relationship between the past and the present. Shakespeare uses the sonnet form to convey his musings on how the present generation compares to those that have come before, and how art and poetry act as bridges across time.
The tone of Sonnet 59 is contemplative, wistful, and slightly melancholic. Shakespeare begins by reflecting on the limits of human imagination and the paradox of seeking new ideas when history seems to repeat itself. His longing for something original, combined with a sense of admiration for the past, gives the poem a reflective quality. The tone shifts towards a subtle irony in the final couplet, where Shakespeare compares the praises given to less worthy subjects by past poets, ultimately affirming that the “composèd wonder” of the poem’s addressee deserves far more praise than what history has seen before.
Analysis of Sonnet 59
Lines 1–4
“If there be nothing new, but that which is
Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled,
Which, laboring for invention, bear amiss
The second burden of a former child.”
In the opening quatrain, Shakespeare begins with a philosophical question: if everything that is new has already existed before, how is it that the human mind is still driven to invent? This rhetorical question implies that human creativity is an attempt to rediscover or recreate what has already been done. The phrase “bear amiss / The second burden of a former child” suggests that this task of invention is burdensome and often futile, as humanity is condemned to repeat what has already been created. Shakespeare touches on the irony that, despite human endeavor, all creative acts are somewhat derivative, as they are built upon the foundations of the past.
Lines 5–8
“O, that record could with a backward look,
Even of five hundred courses of the sun,
Show me your image in some antique book,
Since mind at first in character was done,”
In this quatrain, Shakespeare expresses a desire to look backward in time, wishing that a historical “record” could show the image of the person he addresses, preserved in an ancient book. The phrase “five hundred courses of the sun” refers to five centuries of time, indicating Shakespeare’s desire to see how the present individual would appear to someone from the past. The line “since mind at first in character was done” suggests that human nature or identity was already formed long ago, and Shakespeare yearns to understand how the past would view the person in question. There is an implicit connection between time, memory, and identity here, with the poet imagining a connection across centuries through written records.
Lines 9–12
“That I might see what the old world could say
To this composèd wonder of your frame;
Whether we are mended, or whe’r better they,
Or whether revolution be the same.”
In these lines, Shakespeare continues his exploration of time and history, pondering what the past would say about the “composèd wonder” of the person he addresses. The phrase “composèd wonder” speaks to the impressive nature of the individual, whose physical and intellectual beauty might surpass that of earlier times. Shakespeare wonders whether humanity has improved over time or whether the “revolution” of history is cyclical, with no real progress being made. There is an element of uncertainty in this speculation, as Shakespeare questions whether the past was truly superior or if progress has truly led to something better.
Lines 13–14
“O, sure I am the wits of former days
To subjects worse have given admiring praise.”
In the final couplet, Shakespeare offers a resolution of sorts. He expresses confidence that the poets and “wits” of the past, who often gave “admiring praise” to subjects that were less worthy than the person addressed in the sonnet, would have praised this individual. The final lines offer a subtle irony: though the past may have celebrated lesser figures, the present individual is undoubtedly worthy of far more praise. Shakespeare thus affirms the value of the person he addresses, asserting that even if history repeats itself, this individual’s excellence stands out as deserving of admiration.
Conclusion
Sonnet 59 presents a reflection on the relationship between time, creativity, and memory. Shakespeare meditates on the paradox of human invention—how the mind seeks to create something new, even when everything that is new has been done before. Through the idea of looking backward in time, Shakespeare explores how art preserves the past, and how the present generation might be viewed by future ones. The sonnet ultimately speaks to the eternal value of great individuals and their ability to stand out, even in the face of history’s cyclical nature.
The poem’s structure, tone, and imagery all work together to explore deep questions about the role of art in transcending time and preserving memory. Through Sonnet 59, Shakespeare reminds us that the true worth of individuals is not bound by time or repetition but is celebrated through the enduring nature of poetry and art.
