Lamps - “Noah’s Flood”
Michael Drayton acknowledges that God formed the “beatified lamps above.” The lamps embody the ‘sun, moon and stars’ that light the planet untiringly.
Sweets versus Sours - “Sonnet III-Taking My Pen”
Michael Drayton writes about, “Subtracting, set my sweets unto my sours.” The sweets designate gratification (benefits) whereas the sours characterize the heartaches (costs).
Bankruptcy - “Sonnet III-Taking My Pen”
Michael Drayton concludes, “And I a bankrupt, quite undone by thee.” Bankruptcy represents the deficiency of love. The conclusion implies that Michael Drayton does not sense the addressee’s affection.
Debtor - “Sonnet III-Taking My Pen”
Michael Drayton writes, “And thus mine eye’s debtor to thine eye.” This assertion, in the context of love, infers that the addressee holds that Drayton certainly owes her love.
Usury - “Sonnet III-Taking My Pen”
Michael Drayton claims, “ My heart hath paid such grievous usury.” The material usury signifies the undesirable repercussions of adoring the addressee. The quantification of the effects implies that love has been strenuous for Drayton.
Slaying (A Motif)
In “Sonnet II: My Heart Was Slain” Drayton declares “My heart was slain.” Figuratively, Drayton hints that his impalpable heart was devastated by love. The assertion of slaying elicits a melancholic mood in the entire sonnet.
