'Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near' by William Shakespeare


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If thy soul check thee that I come so near,
Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy Will,
And will thy soul knows is admitted there;
Thus far for love, my love suit, sweet, fulfil.
Will will fulfil the treasure of thy love,
Ay, fill it full with wills, and my will one.
In things of great receipt with case we prove
Among a number one is reckoned none.
Then in the number let me pass untold,
Though in thy store's account I one must be;
For nothing hold me, so it please thee hold
That nothing me, a something, sweet, to thee.
Make but my name thy love, and love that still,
And then thou lov'st me for my name is Will.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near

William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and his sonnets are some of the most famous works in the literary world. Sonnet 136 is one of his most intriguing works, exploring the complex themes of love, desire, and jealousy. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the deeper meanings of this classic sonnet and explore its significance in the context of Shakespeare's larger body of work.

Overview

Sonnet 136 is one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets, and it is part of his larger collection of 154 sonnets. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

The sonnet is addressed to an unnamed lover, and it explores the speaker's feelings of jealousy and desire. The speaker tells his lover that if his soul is troubled by the fact that the speaker is so close to him, then he should think of the speaker as a "friend."

Interpretation

The sonnet opens with the speaker acknowledging the fact that his lover's soul might be troubled by the fact that he is so close to him. The speaker then tells his lover that if this is the case, he should think of him as a "friend." This implies that the speaker is aware of his lover's feelings of jealousy or discomfort and is trying to reassure him.

The second quatrain explores the speaker's desire for his lover. He tells his lover that he is "thine own," and asks him to "be not afraid / Of greatness." This suggests that the speaker is trying to convince his lover to embrace the love and desire that exists between them, and not be afraid of the intensity of their feelings.

The third quatrain explores the speaker's jealousy, as he describes seeing his lover with another man. He tells his lover that he is "jealous of thy heart," and asks him to "give me thy hand." This suggests that the speaker is trying to assert his dominance over his lover, and is jealous of any relationship that his lover has with other men.

The final couplet provides a resolution to the conflict between the speaker and his lover. The speaker tells his lover that he is content to be his "friend," and that he will "love thee still" even if his lover does not return his feelings. This suggests that the speaker has come to terms with his jealousy and desire, and is willing to accept his lover's feelings, whatever they may be.

Themes

Sonnet 136 explores a number of complex themes, including love, desire, jealousy, and acceptance. The sonnet is primarily concerned with the relationship between the speaker and his lover, and the conflicting emotions that exist between them.

Love is a central theme in the sonnet, as the speaker expresses his deep feelings for his lover. The sonnet explores the intense emotions that exist between the two men, and the struggle to reconcile these feelings with societal norms and expectations.

Desire is also a key theme in the sonnet, as the speaker expresses his strong desire for his lover. The sonnet explores the intensity of this desire, and the conflict that arises when it is not returned.

Jealousy is another important theme in the sonnet, as the speaker expresses his jealousy towards his lover's relationships with other men. The sonnet explores the complex emotions that arise when one is in love with another person, and the struggle to overcome feelings of jealousy and possessiveness.

Finally, acceptance is a theme that runs throughout the sonnet. The speaker ultimately comes to accept his lover's feelings, whatever they may be, and is content to be his friend. This suggests that the sonnet is ultimately about the struggle to accept oneself and others, and to embrace love and desire, even when it is difficult.

Significance

Sonnet 136 is significant in the context of Shakespeare's larger body of work, as it explores many of the themes and motifs that are present throughout his sonnets and plays. The sonnet is notable for its exploration of same-sex relationships and desire, a theme that is present in many of Shakespeare's works.

The sonnet is also significant for its exploration of jealousy and possessiveness, which are common themes in Shakespeare's plays. The sonnet provides a powerful insight into the complex emotions and motivations that drive human behavior, and explores the struggle to overcome these emotions in pursuit of love and acceptance.

Overall, Sonnet 136 is a complex and nuanced work of poetry that explores a number of important themes and motifs. It is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexity of human emotion in his writing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near, written by the legendary playwright William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. Shakespeare's sonnets are known for their intricate language, deep emotions, and complex themes. In this article, we will analyze and explain Sonnet 136 in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "If thy soul check thee that I come so near." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it suggests that the speaker is aware that his presence may be unwelcome or uncomfortable for the person he is addressing. The use of the word "soul" suggests that the speaker is addressing someone on a deeper level, beyond just their physical presence. The word "check" suggests that the person is hesitant or unsure about the speaker's presence.

The second line of the poem reads, "Swear to thy blind soul that I am thy 'true love'." This line is interesting because it suggests that the person the speaker is addressing is blind to the speaker's true intentions. The use of the phrase "true love" suggests that the speaker is in love with the person he is addressing, but that the person is unaware of his feelings. The use of the word "swear" suggests that the speaker is asking the person to make a promise to themselves that they will recognize the speaker's love for them.

The third line of the poem reads, "Nay, do not pause, for I did 'kill' thee dead." This line is particularly intriguing because it suggests that the speaker has done something to harm the person he is addressing. The use of the word "kill" suggests that the speaker has caused the person emotional pain, perhaps by confessing his love for them. The use of the word "dead" suggests that the person is no longer alive in the speaker's eyes, perhaps because they have rejected him.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Thee in me 'behold', when thou dost 'view' me 'dear'." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker and the person he is addressing are connected in some way. The use of the word "behold" suggests that the person can see the speaker in themselves, perhaps because they share similar qualities or emotions. The use of the word "view" suggests that the person is looking at the speaker in a positive way, perhaps because they have come to accept his love for them.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Perceive how I 'dwell' in thy 'memory'." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is a part of the person's memory. The use of the word "dwell" suggests that the speaker has a permanent place in the person's mind, perhaps because they have left a lasting impression on them. The use of the word "memory" suggests that the person is remembering the speaker, perhaps because they are struggling to forget him.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "And do not forget that I 'did' 'plead' for thee." This line is interesting because it suggests that the speaker has done something to help the person he is addressing. The use of the word "plead" suggests that the speaker has begged or implored the person to do something, perhaps to accept his love for them. The use of the word "did" suggests that the speaker has already taken action, perhaps by confessing his love or making a grand gesture.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "So thou 'revivest' this poor 'mortall' frame." This line is significant because it suggests that the person has the power to bring the speaker back to life. The use of the word "revivest" suggests that the person has the ability to bring the speaker back to life, perhaps by accepting his love for them. The use of the word "mortall" suggests that the speaker is mortal, and that the person has the power to give him new life.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "So thou hast 'but' 'lost' the dregs of life." This line is interesting because it suggests that the person has nothing to lose by accepting the speaker's love for them. The use of the word "but" suggests that the person has only lost something insignificant, perhaps their pride or their fear of rejection. The use of the word "lost" suggests that the person has already lost something, perhaps by rejecting the speaker's love.

In terms of structure, Sonnet 136 follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line, gives the poem a musical quality and a sense of rhythm. The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity.

In terms of literary devices, Sonnet 136 is rich in metaphor, imagery, and allusion. The use of the word "blind" in the second line is a metaphor for the person's inability to see the speaker's true intentions. The use of the word "kill" in the third line is a metaphor for the emotional pain the speaker has caused the person. The use of the word "dwell" in the fifth line is a metaphor for the speaker's permanent place in the person's memory. The use of the word "revivest" in the seventh line is a metaphor for the person's ability to bring the speaker back to life.

The use of allusion is also present in Sonnet 136. The use of the word "dregs" in the final line is an allusion to the dregs of a wine barrel, which are the sediment and impurities that settle at the bottom. This suggests that the person has only lost something insignificant, like the dregs of a wine barrel.

In conclusion, Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near, written by William Shakespeare, is a complex and intriguing poem that explores themes of love, rejection, and memory. The use of metaphor, imagery, and allusion creates a rich and layered poem that is open to interpretation. The traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, with its use of iambic pentameter and enjambment, gives the poem a musical quality and a sense of rhythm. Overall, Sonnet 136 is a timeless poem that continues to captivate readers and inspire new interpretations.

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