Roses and Seeds in William Shakespeare´s Fair Youth

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"From fairest creatures we desire increase" is the first of 154 untitled sonnets written by William Shakespeare published in 1609. The poem is the first of the 'Procreation' set of sonnets, which are believed by English historians, to be addressed to or concerning an unmanned "Fair Youth" male, and argue that this man needs to marry and father children. While there is much speculation on the identity of the Fair Youth, the first set of poems are more platonic in tone, as compared to the latter poems which were obviously sexual and passionate themed.
Breaking down this poem, we will start with the versification of the poem. Like all Shakespearean Sonnets, it contains one stanza with fourteen lines, and follows a metric beat of iambic pentameters. The poem also follows his signature rhyme scheme of "ABAB CDCD EFEF GG", essentially building the structure to be three quatrains and a couplet placed at the end of the poem.
The first line of the quatrain begins with a thesis statement by describing the entire human species as fair creatures, and states that it is our most basic desire to reproduce. The command Shakespeare gives to the human race to reproduce can be an allusion (can be alluded) to the first book of the Bible. In Genesis 1:28, God commands to Adam and Eve, " Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…"The second line then begins a conceit, comparing humans to beautiful roses, and rehearses the statement of the first line by mentioning that by reproduction, the beauty of our species might never die. The third and fourth lines then say that when our current generation grows old and dies off, we hope that our offspring will continue our memories and continue to r...

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...make waste in niggarding," can be loosely interpreted as a pun, both by wasting his seed by not bearing children, and by wasting his seed by masturbation.
The final couplet is yet another command, this time directly to the Fair Youth. Shakespeare is advising (instructing) the man to have pity on the world and have a child, or else his gluttony will continue with him to the grave, depriving him of a heir to continue on the human race. This command turns full circle, as it refers back to the command given in the first line of the poem. If the man disobeys the second command given in the poem, he is also violating the first command, and defying the will of God.
This poem is mandated towards the entire human race and the fair youth. It both reiterates the first order given by God to humans, and expresses Shakespeare's distraught towards the man for not procreating.

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