SONNETS 94-105
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Sonnet 94
They that have power to hurt, and will do none,
That do not do the thing, they most do show,
Who moving others, are themselves as stone,
Unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow:
They rightly do inherit heaven�s graces,
And husband nature�s riches from expence,
They are the Lords and owners of their faces,
Others, but stewards of their excellence:
The summer�s flower is to the summer sweet,
Though to it itself, it only live and die,
But if that flower with base infection meet,
The basest weed out-braves his dignity:
For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds,
Lilies that fester, smell far worse than weeds.
When Shakespeare wrote a sonnet he based its meaning on the philosophy of
the whole set. If a reader is ignorant of the philosophy of the whole set, then
difficulties with the meaning of a particular sonnet follow automatically.
Ironically, sonnet 94 is a sonnet �famous� for the frustration it causes
commentators. Because they do not credit Shakespeare with a philosophy,
much less a consistent philosophy, they are reduced to calling sonnet 94
elusive or enigmatic. They do not appreciate that Shakespeare�s understanding
is based on the natural logic derived systematically from the
processes of life. The connectedness and consistency of the whole set is a
consequence of Shakespeare�s adherence to natural logic.
For Shakespeare, the possibility of determining right and wrong derives
from natural logic. The dynamic of truth and beauty, to which all of
Shakespeare�s Sonnets adhere, recognises that the capacity to do right and
wrong is a matter of judgment based on the logical conditions for human
existence inherent in Nature. The natural perspective this generates enables
Shakespeare to correct inconsistencies in traditional thought.
Sonnet 94 examines the consequences of inaction that result from unrealistic
ideals. A decision to act may involve undesirable effects but these are
preferable to the worse consequences of not acting. The Poet challenges
those who should act, or have the �power to hurt� (94.1), but do not. He
questions their reasons for remaining as �stone, unmoved and cold� and above
�temptation� (94.4).
He notes ironically that, because of their inaction, they can �rightly� claim
to �inherit� the inertia of �heaven�s graces� (94.5). In their unwillingness to
act they �husband�, or refuse to expend, �nature�s riches� (94.6), such as the
potential for increase. Like �Lords� (94.7), they consider themselves above
human concerns and see �others� as their �stewards� or servants (94.8). Such
a �summer�s flower� (94.9), while �sweet in summer�, if it keeps to itself will
merely �live and die� (94.10). It �shows� its weakness when challenged by �base
infections� or temptations. It is �out-braved by the basest weeds� (94.12).
In the couplet, the �sweetest things turn sourest� when their �deeds� are
proven to be for show. Such �lilies�, when they �fester, smell far worse than
weeds� because weeds, not distracted by self regard, are contented and firmly
rooted in day-to-day reality. In the plays, such as Measure for Measure,
Shakespeare examines the consequences of over-idealised religious pride and
its vulnerability to prejudice and temptation.
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Roger Peters Copyright © 2001
Introduction
1-9
10-21
22-33
34-45
46-57
58-69
70-81
82-93
94-105
106-117
118-129
130-141
142-153
154
Emendations
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