Cupid Fell Asleep

In the sonnet, Cupid Laid by His Brand, And Fell Asleep, William Shakespeare tells a story that mixes ancient mythology with the intricacies of love. He envisions Cupid, the god of desire, accidentally imbuing a simple spring with his fiery energy, turning it into a famous healing bath. Cupid plays a crucial role in the sonnet, yet the speaker discovers that this legendary remedy cannot cure the pain caused by his lover's gaze. Through vivid imagery and witty wordplay, Shakespeare delves into the paradox of love's ability to both hurt and heal our deepest emotional wounds, emphasizing love's profound influence on the speaker's life.

Cupid lay by his brand and fell asleep:
A maid of Dian’s this advantage found,
And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep
In a cold valley-fountain of that ground;

Which borrowed from this holy fire of Love
A dateless lively heat, still to endure,
And grew a seething bath, which yet men prove
Against strange maladies, a sovereign cure.

But at my mistress’ eye, Love’s brand new fired,
The boy for trial needs would touch my breast;
I, sick withal, the help of bath desired,
And thither hied, a sad, distempered guest,

But found no cure: the bath for my help lies
Where Cupid got new fire—my mistress’ eyes.
                

William Shakespeare