Question

Read Shakespeare's "Sonnet 100.” Where art thou, Muse, that thou forget'st so long To speak of that which gives thee all thy might? Spend'st thou thy fury on some worthless song, Darkening thy power to lend base subjects light? Return, forgetful Muse, and straight redeem5 In gentle numbers time so idly spent; Sing to the ear that doth thy lays esteem And gives thy pen both skill and argument. Rise, resty Muse, my love's sweet face survey, If Time have any wrinkle graven there;10 If any, be a satire to decay, And make Time's spoils despised every where. Give my love fame faster than Time wastes life; So thou prevent'st his scythe and crooked knife. What is the best paraphrase of line 9? Wake up, dear sleepyhead! Fame is fleeting, and so is life. Get up and look at his lovely face. Make him famous before he gets old.

Answer 1

Answer: Get up and look at his lovely face.

Explanation: Shakespeare refers to his first 126 sonnets to a young man who he seemed to love deeply. In this sonnet, he is speaking to the muse that generally inspires him, asking for its presence and wondering the whereabouts of it all this time. In line 9; "Rise, resty Muse; my love’s sweet face survey," he is specifically asking the muse to get up and look at his beloved's lovely face, to see If age has gotten to him, and to wish him fame and good.