Page 34

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Page 34, along with its lighter reflection in page 33, illustrates the closing couplet of Shakespeare's first sonnet. In Page 34, the warning of the couplet, we see Shakespeare warning both himself and his sonnet that if he does not "pity the world" by sharing his message and publishing the sonnets, his legacy will be buried with him, and there will be no living witnesses to his love and his magic.

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Page 33

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Page 33, along with its darker reflection in page 34, illustrates the closing couplet of Shakespeare's first sonnet. In Page 33, the instruction of the couplet, we see Shakespeare instructing both himself and his sonnet to "pity the world", which means both to take pity on the world and to incite the world to take pity on them. To do this, he must share his message with the world, and rolling the sonnets up and putting them in a bottle is an apt metaphor for publishing them.

He is simultaneously instructing us, the readers, to show him and his sonnets pity, and not take his words quietly to our own graves.

This line demonstrates Shakespeare's optimism that someone - you, perhaps? - will pick up his message and be convinced to love their author and let his words travel with you and live on in your heart and on your tongue.

An enormous thank you to my patrons for your continued support! If you're not already a patron, please sign up so that we can produce more pages faster, you'll gain access to exclusive content and both my and Shakespeare's eternal gratitude!