74 But be contented when that fell arrest

Question 1

Summarise:

1 quatrain

2 quatrain

3 quatrain

Couplet

Answer 1

1. Belies sonnet 71 No longer mounr for me when I am dead - actually I am immortalised in poetry
2. Because in this verse is my spirit, which is yours, the earth can only take my body, which is inferior anyway
3. Better off not remembering body anyway, belittles death
4. The worth of my life is my spirit which is in this verse, which stays with you, so it’s all alright

Question 2

Analyse 1 quatrain sonnet 74 But be contented when that fell arrest

Answer 2

• ‘But be contented when that fell arrest

Without all bail shall carry me away’

* Death as jailer, prison sentence * 'My life hath in this line some interest'
* Law, inheritance * 'Which for memorial still with thee shall stay.'
* Again, immortalising properties of sonnet

Question 3

Analyse 2 quatrain of sonnet 74

Answer 3

• ‘Re view’ - can conjure, pun
• ‘better part of me’
  
  • Neoplatonic?

Question 4

Analyse 3 quatrain sonnet 74

Answer 4

• So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life,

The prey of worms, my body being dead;

The coward conquest of a wretch’s knife,

Too base of thee to be remembered.’

• Yup.

Question 5

Analyse couplet of sonnet 74

Answer 5

• ‘The worth of that is that which it contains,/ And that is this, and this with thee remains.
  
  • Body merely container, sonnet also capable of carrying soul because also a container. Crafting like God?
  • ‘remains’ - pun, because spiritual remains rather than physical
  • ‘this’ and repeated pronouns draw attention to material sonnet - or asks if it is the metaphysical content it is drawing attention towards