Sonnet 143, By William Shakespeare

“Sonnet 143” has a reputation for being one of Shakespeare’s worst sonnets, but by analyzing its themes, tone, and structure, one can detect its sophistication and artistry. Some critics deny Shakespeare authored “Sonnet 143”, which appears a mindless, silly work. However, by interpreting the linguistics according to Shakespeare’s time and the ideas contemporarily, the sonnet gains deeper meaning. “Sonnet 143” begins with a mother setting down her child to chase a fleeing barnyard creature. The sonnet becomes vivid as it concludes, with Shakespeare as the neglected lover in the midst of his mistress’s pursuit. Another source claims the first lines are extraneously detailed to appear as if the writer forgot the comparison, just as the mother
“Lo, as” begins the sonnet with the mother neglectfully setting down her infant to catch a feathered creature. “So runn’st thou” links the metaphorical scene to Shakespeare’s experiences as an adult. Sources argue the comparison of the barnyard scene to the courtly one appropriates the simile as a mock-epic. Another of Shakespeare’s sonnets, “Sonnet 33”, retains a comparable Homeric-simile. Moreover, both sonnets have the “double exposure” form, furthering their similarity. Variation between “Sonnet 33” and “Sonnet 143” lies in these similarities, the former’s metaphorical linguistics vaguer. “Even so” is the sole metaphorical phrase of “Sonnet 33”, comparing a story about dawn to one of betrayal. Lacking in “Sonnet 33”’s subtlety, “Sonnet 143” uses the obvious “Lo..as” and “So runn’st thou”. Shakespeare’s adroit use of semantics is displayed in the sonnet’s wordplays. “Flies before her face” is perhaps a reference to Christianity, a commonly explored theme of the Sonnets. Despite this interpretation, the phrase most likely referred to hunting. Antiquated hunting terminology explained ‘to fly in the face of’ as a hunting dog’s defiance. The winged creature and plumed dandy hover before the face of the provoked woman, defying her. In Shakespeare’s day, children were called the “hope” of their parents. Thematically, “Sonnet 143” alludes to Oedipal relationships. ‘Will’ is an indisputable
According to Helen Vendler, the subjunctive word “have” kept the woman in the frame of the poem from catching the courtier. While the woman stumbled after the dandy, Shakespeare may have felt infantilized or entertained. “If thou turn back” is also interpreted as a sexual reference. “Thou wilt fall backwards when thou hast more wit;” , a similar phrase in “Romeo and Juliet”, refers to Juliet’s future loss of