Jan 6, 2010
The first quatrain of the sonnet consists of two questions that address a supposed problem with William Shakespeare’s own verse—its utter conventionality, barrenness of thought, and monotony (it is “far from variation”). A more ambitious or imaginative lover, he says, would express himself with variety and surprise (“quick change”). The second question implies that, in keeping with the fashion (“the time”), the poet should employ better “methods” and new “compounds.” Besides being destitute of invention, it seems that he lacks a pleasing spirit...
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