Shreyas Kompalli

Mrs. Gardner

English 10H, Period 6

12 September 2016

Sonnet 94 Analysis

In Sonnet 94, those who are gifted are not always superior: Humility is a necessity, especially for those

who are special, in order to truly be successful and content with life. This is a value that has been

preached by philosophers around the world, from the times of Confucius and the Buddha all the way

through the present day. It is an important characteristic in life, and in some cultures, is expected. In his

ninety-fourth sonnet, Shakespeare decided to make a point on this idea of being down-to-earth. He found

a connection between humbleness and the natural world, and it was this comparison that he brought to life

in the 94th installment of his epic collection of sonnets, through the use of vivid imagery and description.

In Lines 5 and 6, he writes about heavens graces and natures riches. While seemingly speaking

about the pride of nature rather than the modest parts of it, these two phrases really are preparing our

minds. This initial priming of the idea of nature compared to humility sets up the sonnet brilliantly for

later on, when Shakespeare launches into full figurative diction. Starting at Line 9, Shakespeare

completely changes gears from the literal writing about the corrosive pride that plagues some of those

who are successful, and begins to weave a new image, using a vivid analogy to do so. Words like

summer, flower, lilies, and even weed all suggest that humility is like nature in some ways.

Being humble preaches the idea of beauty in simplicity; sometimes, being less boastful and less filled

with pride allows people to better appreciate the strengths and specialties of a person, as they can observe

a person in their natural state. Nature works in much the same way, where the simple, natural growth in a

forest can be a beautiful sight, rather than an elaborate, decorated setting. Shakespeare's use of this

powerful analogy where he says that even the basest weed is greater than an infected flower further
promotes this idea, that the normal man can sometimes be on a greater level of dignity than the man with

all the power in the world. Shakespeare chose nature to compare to humility, when he had so many other

choices, and there was a profound reason for this. He saw a connection between the two, and through his

use of many words relating to the nature around us, he delivered his discoveries to all of us, the readers.

Shakespeare is passing on a message to us all, a message to be more like the natural world that we were

born in, and be humble. The world is filled with prideful people, Shakespeare says, but true beauty lies in

those who live, think, and act in simplicity.