# Sonnet LXXXIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The poet defends his silence in praising the beloved, arguing that the beloved's beauty needs no artificial enhancement and that true worth surpasses any poet's ability to describe it. He contrasts his mute admiration with the hollow praises of other poets, claiming that a single glance from the beloved holds more life than all their verses combined.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The poet argues that his silence is more honest than the exaggerated praises of other poets, who 'give life and bring a tomb' by distorting the truth.

### Art and Immortality

The poet claims that the beloved's eyes contain more life than any verse, challenging the traditional notion that poetry grants immortality.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

The poet-speaker who defends his silence and critiques other poets' attempts to praise the beloved.

### Youth

The fair youth whose beauty is so complete that it needs no poetic embellishment.

## Key lines

> I never saw that you did painting need And therefore to your fair no painting set

I never thought you needed artificial enhancement, so I didn't add any flattery to your beauty.

_The poet justifies his lack of praise by asserting the beloved's natural perfection._

> There lives more life in one of your fair eyes Than both your poets can in praise devise.

A single glance from your beautiful eyes holds more vitality than all the praises two poets could invent.

_The poet elevates the beloved's essence above any poetic tribute._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/lxxxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters