Hi, I have a question about this sonnet

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sympathy
New Member

since 2008-02-22

Posts 3

0 posted 2008-02-22 11:17 AM

Hi, I have a question about this poem.

quote:

Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy 'Will,'
And 'Will' to boot, and 'Will' in overplus;
More than enough am I that vex thee still,
To thy sweet will making addition thus.
Wilt thou, whose will is large and spacious,
Not once vouchsafe to hide my will in thine?
Shall will in others seem right gracious,
And in my will no fair acceptance shine?
The sea all water, yet receives rain still
And in abundance addeth to his store;
So thou, being rich in 'Will,' add to thy 'Will'
One will of mine, to make thy large 'Will' more.
Let no unkind, no fair beseechers kill;
Think all but one, and me in that one 'Will.'

Can you explain the first two lines for me? I don't understand. I thought 'thou' and 'thy' are synonyms, so what does "thou hast thy 'Will' " mean?
Can you rephrase the first two lines for me?
What about the next two lines?

Thanks.

Not A Poet
Member Elite

since 1999-11-03

Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA

1 posted 2008-02-22 11:40 AM

thou = you (nominative case)
thy = your (possessive)
Related but certainly not synonyms

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

2 posted 2008-02-22 11:59 AM

I agree with thine answer, Pete

sympathy
New Member

since 2008-02-22

Posts 3

3 posted 2008-02-23 02:03 AM

What does the first word "Will" mean? (line 1) Everyone has their dream, or wish. But what does this fact have to do with the fact that 'you' have 'your will'?

2) What does 'boot' or 'overplus' mean?
'Will' can boot, can overplus. So what is 'Will'?

Thanks

Brad
Member Ascendant

since 1999-08-20

Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea

4 posted 2008-02-23 07:30 AM

Is this a joke?

You don't know who wrote this?

chopsticks
Senior Member

since 2007-10-02

Posts 888
The US,

5 posted 2008-02-23 07:32 AM

I would think if you like this kind of poetry, you would need some kind of a rosetta stone to translate old English to modern English .

This is the best I can do :

Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy 'Will,

Whoever has her wish, you have her 'desire,'

But, maybe not.

Grinch
Member Elite

since 2005-12-31

Posts 2929
Whoville

6 posted 2008-02-23 07:48 AM

Will (Shakespeare) must have had fun writing this, the hidden meanings are numerous and range from granny friendly versions to x-rated. If you want something in-between substitute LUST for will.

Grinch
Member Elite

since 2005-12-31

Posts 2929
Whoville

7 posted 2008-02-23 08:00 AM

If you want something a little stronger try this site:
http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/135comm.htm

sympathy
New Member

since 2008-02-22

Posts 3

8 posted 2008-02-24 12:14 PM

No, it's not a joke. English is not my native language, so I don't know that 'Will' is 'William Shakespeare'

I'm very sorry for posting a bawdy poem here. I don't understand the content before. I don't know it has a sexual innuendo. I am just looking for poems to practice my English and came across this poem.
I'm terribly sorry.

Grinch
Member Elite

since 2005-12-31

Posts 2929
Whoville

9 posted 2008-02-24 02:41 PM

I don’t see any reason to apologise - you asked a legitimate question about a legitimate poem.

How the heck are you supposed to learn if you don’t ask questions?

chopsticks
Senior Member

since 2007-10-02

Posts 888
The US,

10 posted 2008-02-24 04:56 PM

If I was right on the first line. logic says I’m right on the second line

And 'Will' to boot, and 'Will' in overplus;

And desire/lust to delight and desire/lust in abundance

What makes me think this is a home work assignment ?

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