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Analysis Of William Shakespeare 's ' The Roman Goddess Of Luck '

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The notion that Sonnet 124 does not necessarily discuss admiration or affection felt towards a particular youth, one need only consider its author’s use of figurative language. One of the most interesting metaphors invoked within this sonnet is that of Fortune. Fortune, or Fortuna, was the Roman goddess of luck; typically depicted with a blindfold covering her eyes, she was often considered capricious and fickle in terms of who she offered her blessings to and how long she offered them for. By characterizing her as mother to the children “of state,” or persons of high social status, Shakespeare is insinuating that high political or social standing is a transient state: not something that one can rely on. Fortune was also associated with spinning wheels, which alluded to the fact that the boons she offered never lasted. This concept can thus also be taken to suggest that those that are currently “blessed” by her in terms of nobility are no different from those that are not, which in turn degrades the value of high social standing. That Shakespeare refers to her heirs as bastards as opposed to children or offspring likewise denigrates the nobility, or the idea that nobility is something one ought to celebrate. It seems to even paint nobles as unfortunate or perhaps asinine, as they appear unaware that the positions they prize themselves on occupying within the social hierarchy are essentially meaningless. With Fortune acting as the mother to social status’ child, time itself

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