"Spring" has lots to say about the connection between us humans and the world we inhabit. So, as you might expect, the poem is chock-full of things like flowers, meadows, trees, and birds, as well as all their associated colors and sounds. But things get really interesting when we take a careful look at how all this natural imagery connects with references to people in the poem. Sometimes a flower is just a flower—but not always.
Questions About Man and the Natural World
- When did you get the sense that "Spring" was more than just a pretty picture? When did all the nature imagery start to take on some other meaning and significance?
- Is Shakespeare portraying the connection between man and nature as a positive or a negative thing? What makes you think so?
- "Spring" has tons of nature imagery, but it's mostly flowers and feathery things. Is there some kind of natural image not included in the poem that you think should have been? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Shakespeare didn't write about flowers and birds to simply create a pretty picture of springtime. All of the nature imagery in "Spring" functions symbolically, or as wordplay, to strengthen the sense of connection between human and the natural realms.
"Spring" is a song at the end of a comedy. It is meant to be light and humorous. Placing too much significance on what specific flowers or colors mean is missing the point. Sometimes a daisy is just… a daisy.