Shakespeare Sonnet 52 Analysis, So am I as the rich whose blessèd key

This is a short summary of Shakespeare sonnet 52. Continue reading for complete analysis and meaning in the modern text. For the complete list of 154 sonnets, check the collection of Shakespeare Sonnets with analysis. It is highly recommended to buy “The Monument” by Hank Whittemore, which is the best book on Shakespeare Sonnets.

Shakespeare Sonnet 52 (Original Text)

So am I as the rich whose blessèd key

Can bring him to his sweet up-lockèd treasure,

The which he will not every hour survey,

For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure.

Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare,

Since seldom coming in the long year set,

Like stones of worth they thinly placèd are,

Or captain jewels in the carcanet.

So is the time that keeps you as my chest,

Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide,

To make some special instant special blest

By new unfolding his imprisoned pride.

Blessèd are you whose worthiness gives scope,

Being had, to triumph; being lacked, to hope.

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Shakespeare Sonnet 52 Modern Text (Modern Text)

Shakespeare Sonnet 52 (Original Text)

The poet compares himself to a rich man “So am I as the rich” who hold a key whose blessed key to a chest full of valuables “sweet up-locked treasure”, but who is protective of it and resists opening it each and every hour “not every hour survey” as he does not want to get too used to the pleasure of seeing his treasure “blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure”In the same way he says holiday feasts are rare “ feasts so solemn and so rare,” and not an everyday occasion which are evenly spaced in a year “seldom coming in the long year set” They too are like the valuables “Like stones of worth “spaced in an even design in a crown “ jewels in the carcanet”

Similarly he compares the relationship with his friend saying that time keeps them apart just like jewels in a chest “time that keeps you as my chest,” or like a wardrobe that may conceal a beautiful and expensive robe “wardrobe which the robe doth hide,” and the closet enhances the importance of an event or occasion “special instant special-blest” when it is opened to reveal its riches “imprisoned pride”

He tells his friend that he is blessed “Blessed are you” with great value to the point of those around him feeling as important and victorious in his presence “whose worthiness gives scope” and those who are not keep hoping to be so “Being had, to triumph, being lacked, to hope.”