William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an … Read Full Bio ↴William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an English poet and playwright widely regarded as the greatest writer of the English language, and the world's preeminent dramatist. He wrote approximately 38 plays and 154 sonnets, as well as a variety of other poems. Already a popular writer in his own lifetime, Shakespeare became increasingly celebrated after his death and his work adulated by numerous prominent cultural figures through the centuries.[4] He is often considered to be England's national poet[5] and is sometimes referred to as the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "The Bard") or the "Swan of Avon".

Orthodox scholars believe Shakespeare produced most of his work between 1586 and 1612, although the exact dates and chronology of the plays attributed to him are under considerable debate, as is the authorship of the works attributed to him. He is counted among the very few playwrights who have excelled in both tragedy and comedy, and his plays combine popular appeal with complex characterisation, poetic grandeur and philosophical depth.

I Loved You
William Shakespeare Lyrics

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From you have I been absent in the spring,
When proud pied cpril, dressed in all his trim,
Has put a spirit of youth in everything,
That heavy Saturn laughed and leapt with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue,
Could make me any summer's story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew:

Nor did I wonder at the lily's white,
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight,
Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.

Yet seemed it winter still, and you away,
cs with your shadow I with these did play.

Overall Meaning

The singer begins by expressing his absence during the spring season, when all of nature comes alive with the spirit of youth. Despite the lively atmosphere brought about by the beautiful colors and scents of spring, the singer finds himself disconnected from it all. He is unable to muster any enthusiasm to tell tales of summer or to admire the beauty of the flowers in bloom, as they all pale in comparison to the one he longs for.

The singer goes on to explain that even the most exquisite sights of nature, such as the white lilies and deep vermilions of roses, do not elicit wonder or praise from him. He sees them as mere imitations of the true beauty he finds in the person he loves. He views his beloved as the epitome of all beauty, and as such, everything else seems dull and insignificant in comparison.

Despite the vibrant scenes of spring all around him, the singer still feels as if it is winter without his beloved by his side. He metaphorically compares his situation to playing with shadows, suggesting that his interactions with the world around him are hollow and lacking substance without the presence of his loved one. The absence of the object of his affection casts a shadow over everything else in his life, leaving him feeling empty and disconnected from the beauty surrounding him.

Overall, the lyrics convey a deep sense of yearning and longing for the beloved. The singer's inability to find joy in the beauty of nature without the presence of his loved one highlights the depth of his feelings and the impact that this absence has on his perception of the world. The imagery of spring and winter, along with the comparison of nature's beauty to the beauty of the beloved, serve to emphasize the singer's profound love and devotion towards the person he longs for.

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