Sonnet 71

Sonnet 71, a sonnet written by William Shakespeare and part of the Fair Youth sequence (sonnets 1-126) in the collection of Shakespeare's sonnets published in 1609.

Summary: The poem expresses the speaker's desire to be forgotten by his beloved after his death. He implores the beloved not to mourn him, not to even remember him, so that the pain of his loss will not taint the beloved's life. He fears that remembering him will only bring sadness and grief. He prefers to be erased from the beloved's memory rather than be a source of sorrow.

Themes: The main themes explored in Sonnet 71 are death, remembrance, selflessness, and love. The speaker's desire for oblivion after death highlights a profound sense of selflessness, prioritizing the beloved's happiness over his own memory. The poem contrasts the pain of remembrance with the perceived peace of complete forgetfulness.

Structure and Form: Sonnet 71 adheres to the traditional Shakespearean (or English) sonnet form. It is composed of fourteen lines written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The final couplet serves to summarize and reinforce the preceding twelve lines, emphasizing the speaker's plea for forgetfulness.

Interpretation: Interpretations of Sonnet 71 vary. Some see it as an expression of profound humility and self-sacrifice, where the speaker prioritizes the beloved's well-being above all else, even his own immortality in their memory. Others suggest it could be interpreted as a sign of insecurity or a fear of not being worthy of the beloved's lasting affection. The poem's ambiguity allows for multiple readings depending on the reader's perspective and understanding of the speaker's motivations.