Sonnet 9 is the ninth Sonnet in the procreation sequence and makes for
an ever escalating display of emotion and anger from the persona. Technically
Sonnet 9 and 10 form a diptych though only facilitated by the final couplet of
Sonnet 9.
The persona has switched from an accusatory even agitated tone at times
to a more understanding and accommodative attitude. Instead of out-rightly arguing
that the Fair Youth is wrong, it seems the poet is on a quest to understand the
Youth's fears and provide worthwhile solutions. Is this a more effective
approach?
"Is it fear to wet a widow's eye," might it be that the Fair
Youth is so selfless that his antagonism to having offspring is based on the
fear that he may leave behind a grieving widow when he meets his demise? Seems
rather unlikely yet perfectly justifiable, who would want to knowingly want to
cause pain to a loved one? However, nobody else fails to have a family because
of fear of death, does that question its authenticity as a reason?
William Shakespeare certainly thinks so as he asserts that therein lies
an irony in the Fair Youth's plan, by depriving the world of an heir he will
cause thoughtless pain not just on 'one' widow but the entirety of mankind.
What good exists in saving one individual at the expense of all humanity? Use
of the word "wail" to depict the forthcoming pain serves to reflect
an intense mode of hurt, mourning entwined with excessive lamentation for
without an heir to beauty's throne the world is of a much lesser significance.
A comparison of how the world as the widow and an actual widow would react and cope is
employed from line 7 to best illustrate and assist in weighing the options
available to the Fair Youth. The conventional widow(private widow) has the eyes
of her children, their form, their voices to remind her of her husband and yet the
world would be left with nothing to serve as remembrance, a stark emptiness, a
void never to be filled except b the bearing of children. Surely this argument
must be enough to convince the Fair Youth to change his mind and yet
Shakespeare turns to the now ever-relevant theme of 'wastage' and senseless
destruction. A gift so important is to be is to be wasted, to never be given
away, the persona appeals to the conscience leaving the subject of the Sonnet
to question whether they should indeed misuse the power of beauty bestowed upon
him.
The final couplet caps it all off with the greatest accusation yet. It
is either the Fair Youth fulfills his duty or establishes himself as a
narcissistic and loveless individual. Food for thought to conclude the Sonnet.
However, is the Fair Youth worried about the World's perception of him?