Section 9 Summary

Sonnet 78: The poet tells his love that she is his constant muse who gives him powers of language and expression that allow him to rise above his own ignorance and even to inspire admiration in others. With a pair of puns, Shakespeare says "thou art all my art" who gives him extraordinary poetic powers.

Sonnet 79: Evidently in competition with another poet for his lover's favor, Shakespeare tells her that the other poet robs her beauty and character to write his sonnets. Shakespeare says she should not thank him but realize that his verse is simply based on her virtue.

Sonnet 80: Because another poet has usurped his place in the eyes of his beloved, he is left "tongue-tied" when he tries to write his praise of her in verse. Shakespeare compares himself to a small, frail boat that has been jerked from the sea and landed on the...