logo

18 pages 36 minutes read

Sonnet 43

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1609

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Symbols & Motifs

The Fair and Imperfect Shadow

Some meanings of the word shadow include the darkness something casts when exposed by light; areas of dark; a sense of gloom; or an inseparable companion. The word shade, by contrast, indicates a color (especially how it relates to light); an area of coolness relative to sunlight; or is another word for ghost. The speaker describes The Fair Youth as both a “shadow” (Lines 5, 6) and a “shade” (Lines 8, 11). At first, the beloved illuminates “shadows” (Line 5) of darkness for the speaker due to the beloved’s brightness. His “shadow’s form” (Line 6) creates a “happy show” (Line 6). However, the use of “shadow’s form” (Line 6) suggests that the beloved is illusory, a figure from the speaker’s dream that comes and goes at will. Although at first this “shade shines” (Line 11), it is later described as a “fair imperfect shade” (Line 11), suggesting that the beloved is both beautiful and flawed. This shows that the speaker views him as an entity that functions both as a beam of light who brightens his days and an oppressive ghost who haunts the speaker. This heightens the tension in the poem itself.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 18 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,550+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools