William Shakespeare‘s Sonnet 85 explores themes of love, poetry, self-expression, and the value of true sentiment over superficial praise. The speaker grapples with the limitations of language, expressing admiration for their beloved while acknowledging that words alone cannot fully capture the depth of their emotions. This sonnet features the typical structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines written in iambic pentameter and following the ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme. The tone of the poem can be described as one of humble reverence and internal conflict, as the speaker contrasts their inability to articulate their love with the praise of others who are more adept with language.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 85
My tongue-tied muse in manners holds her still
While comments of your praise, richly compiled,
Reserve their character with golden quill
And precious phrase by all the muses filed.
I think good thoughts whilst other write good words,
And like unlettered clerk still cry amen
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polished form of well-refinèd pen.
Hearing you praised, I say “’Tis so, ’tis true,”
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.
Then others for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 85
Sonnet 85 adheres to the formal structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of three quatrains and a concluding rhymed couplet. Each quatrain explores a different aspect of the speaker’s struggle with self-expression, while the final couplet offers a resolution or shift in perspective. The use of iambic pentameter—ten syllables per line, alternating between unstressed and stressed beats—gives the poem a rhythmic flow that mirrors the speaker’s thoughts. The rhyme scheme, ABABCDCDEFEFGG, maintains a sense of balance and symmetry, reinforcing the speaker’s conflict between thought and expression.
The tone of the sonnet is reflective and somewhat melancholic. The speaker expresses frustration with their inability to properly articulate their feelings, which contrasts with the well-crafted praise of others. However, there is also a tone of admiration for the beloved, and the final couplet shifts toward a more affirmative declaration of the speaker’s silent yet powerful love.
Analysis of Sonnet 85
Lines 1–4
“My tongue-tied muse in manners holds her still
While comments of your praise, richly compiled,
Reserve their character with golden quill
And precious phrase by all the muses filed.”
In the opening lines, the speaker sets the stage for the conflict between thought and expression. The phrase “tongue-tied muse” suggests the speaker’s frustration with their inability to articulate their feelings, as if their creative inspiration (the “muse”) is bound and unable to speak. The “comments of your praise” refer to the compliments and admiration that others can express for the beloved, which are “richly compiled”—carefully constructed and perhaps exaggerated with eloquent words. The use of “golden quill” and “precious phrase” suggests that others have access to refined language and are able to craft their praise with skill, elevating the beloved’s qualities to an idealized level.
Lines 5–8
“I think good thoughts whilst other write good words,
And like unlettered clerk still cry amen
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polished form of well-refinèd pen.”
In these lines, the speaker compares themselves to an “unlettered clerk,” someone who is uneducated or unskilled in writing. While others can produce eloquent words, the speaker can only “think good thoughts,” implying that their emotional depth exceeds their ability to express it verbally. The phrase “cry amen” suggests that the speaker can only affirm the praise others offer, without contributing anything original or meaningful themselves. The reference to “polished form of well-refined pen” underscores the contrast between the speaker’s humble, inarticulate thoughts and the eloquent, perfected expressions of others.
Lines 9–12
“Hearing you praised, I say ‘’Tis so, ’tis true,’
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.”
Here, the speaker acknowledges that while they are unable to fully articulate their feelings, they still affirm the truth of the praise others offer. The line “‘Tis so, ’tis true” is a common phrase of agreement, demonstrating that the speaker’s love is genuine but limited to internal thoughts. “To the most of praise add something more” implies that the speaker’s love extends beyond the praise of others, suggesting a deeper and more personal affection. The phrase “though words come hindmost” acknowledges that the speaker’s feelings are not expressed in words, but their love “holds his rank before,” meaning that the speaker’s love is more significant than any verbal expression.
Lines 13–14
“Then others for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.”
In the final couplet, the speaker contrasts the value placed on words with the value placed on silent, unspoken thoughts. “Others for the breath of words respect” suggests that others are valued for their ability to speak well, while the speaker is respected for their “dumb thoughts,” which remain unspoken but are no less powerful. The phrase “speaking in effect” implies that, although the speaker’s thoughts are not verbalized, their love is demonstrated through action and effect, rather than through empty words.
Conclusion
Sonnet 85 is a poignant exploration of the tension between internal feelings and external expression. The speaker recognizes that while others may possess the ability to craft beautiful, eloquent words of praise, their own love is expressed silently, through thought and effect. Shakespeare uses the sonnet’s structure and tone to reflect the speaker’s inner conflict and ultimate affirmation that true affection transcends the limitations of language. Through this, the poem highlights the idea that the most genuine emotions may be those that remain unsaid, speaking louder in their silence than in any verbal expression.
