The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 11.2006  Wednesday, 31 October 2000.

From:           W. L. Godshalk <
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Date:           Tuesday, 31 Oct 2000 20:48:58 -0500
Subject: 11.1988 Re: Sonnet Suggestion for Analysis
Comment:        Re: SHK 11.1988 Re: Sonnet Suggestion for Analysis

Sam Small says that sonnet

> 94 (They that have power to hurt . . .) has eluded
>me for some time - as it has with many others, I believe.  . . . As for
>shifts in modern meaning, the wonderful line"They are the lords and owners
>of their faces" means just what today?
>Merely self-discipline?  An actor's reference?

You might try Stephen Booth's notes to his edition of the sonnets for
analytical help.

As to being the lord and owner of one's own face, I like the
interpretation that reminds us that great folks' faces often appear on
genuine coin of the realm, and that great folks tend to own a great deal
of the coin on which is found their own faces.

Yours, Bill Godshalk