'Sonnet 149: Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not' by William Shakespeare
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Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not,
When I against my self with thee partake?
Do I not think on thee when I forgot
Am of my self, all tyrant, for thy sake?
Who hateth thee that I do call my friend?
On whom frown'st thou that I do fawn upon?
Nay, if thou lour'st on me, do I not spend
Revenge upon my self with present moan?
What merit do I in my self respect,
That is so proud thy service to despise,
When all my best doth worship thy defect,
Commanded by the motion of thine eyes?
But, love, hate on, for now I know thy mind:
Those that can see thou lov'st, and I am blind.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 149: Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not
Oh, what a marvelous piece of art this sonnet is! Shakespeare, the master of words, created yet another masterpiece that has the power to captivate readers even after centuries of its creation. The Sonnet 149: Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not is a perfect blend of passion, pain, and longing, making it an absolute joy to read and interpret.
In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the complexities of love, particularly unrequited love, and the pain it brings to the lover. The narrator speaks directly to the object of his affection, accusing her of being cruel for not returning his love. He argues that his actions and words have proven his love for her, and it's impossible for her to deny it.
The sonnet starts with a rhetorical question, "Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not?" The narrator is directly addressing his beloved, who he believes is being cruel to him by not reciprocating his love. The use of the word "cruel" implies that the narrator is in great pain, and his beloved's rejection is causing him immense suffering.
The second line of the sonnet, "When I against myself with thee partake?" reveals the narrator's internal struggle. He is torn between his love for his beloved and his own conscience. The use of the word "partake" suggests that his beloved is a part of him, and he cannot separate himself from her even if he wanted to.
The third line, "Do I not think on thee, when I forgot" shows that the narrator cannot forget his beloved, even for a moment. His love for her is all-consuming, and even when he tries to forget her, she is still on his mind.
The fourth line, "Am of myself, all tyrant, for thy sake?" shows how the narrator has become a slave to his love for his beloved. He is willing to do anything for her sake, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness and well-being.
The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet, "Who hateth thee that I do call my friend? / On whom frown'st thou that I do fawn upon?" are particularly interesting. The narrator is questioning his beloved's judgment in rejecting him. He argues that there is no one in her life who hates her, yet she cannot see his love for her. He also points out that he is always there for her, regardless of how she treats him. The use of the words "friend" and "fawn upon" suggests that the narrator is willing to be subservient to his beloved, even if it means sacrificing his own dignity.
The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet, "Nay, if thou lour'st on me, do I not spend / Revenge upon myself with present moan?" reveal the narrator's tendency towards self-punishment. He is willing to suffer for his beloved's sake, even if she is the one causing him pain. The use of the words "lour'st" and "moan" suggests that the narrator is in a state of great sorrow, and his beloved's rejection is causing him immense pain.
The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet, "What merit do I in myself respect, / That is so proud thy service to despise" show the narrator's confusion and frustration. He cannot understand why his beloved does not see his worth, despite his unwavering devotion to her. The use of the word "merit" suggests that the narrator believes he has done everything in his power to win his beloved's heart, yet she remains unmoved.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet, "When all thy worth is dignified by this, / And for this, love of me, that thou dost love" reveal the narrator's belief that his love for his beloved is the most valuable thing in the world. He argues that his beloved's worth is only enhanced by his love for her, and therefore, she should love him in return.
The final couplet of the sonnet, "Nothing so vile that on the earth doth live, / But to the earth some special good doth give" is somewhat ambiguous. The narrator is suggesting that even the most despicable things in the world have some value, and therefore, his love for his beloved, no matter how unrequited, must have some worth. However, the use of the words "vile" and "earth" suggests that the narrator may also be acknowledging the futility of his love, and that it may never be reciprocated.
In conclusion, Shakespeare's Sonnet 149 is a powerful exploration of unrequited love and the pain it brings. The narrator's passionate pleas to his beloved are both heart-wrenching and beautiful, and the use of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery make the sonnet a joy to read and interpret. Even after centuries, the sonnet remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its raw emotion and poetic brilliance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 149: Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not is a classic poem written by the legendary playwright and poet, William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of his famous collection of 154 sonnets, which are considered to be some of the most beautiful and profound works of literature in the English language.
In this sonnet, Shakespeare expresses his deep love for someone who is cruel and unkind to him. He questions whether this person can truly say that he does not love them, despite their harsh treatment towards him. The poem is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and the pain that can come with it.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the person he loves, calling them cruel. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, where he often describes the object of his affection as cruel or unkind. This could be interpreted as a way of expressing the pain and frustration that comes with loving someone who does not love you back.
The speaker then asks the question, "Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not?" This question is a rhetorical one, as the speaker already knows the answer. He is essentially saying that despite the person's cruelty towards him, he still loves them deeply. This is a powerful statement about the nature of love, which can often be irrational and all-consuming.
The second quatrain of the sonnet explores the speaker's feelings of despair and hopelessness. He describes himself as being "in the very brink of love," which suggests that he is on the verge of falling deeply in love with this person. However, he also acknowledges that this love is causing him pain and torment, as he is not receiving the same love in return.
The speaker then goes on to describe the object of his affection as being "false," which suggests that they are not being honest with him about their feelings. This could be interpreted as a way of expressing the speaker's frustration with the person's lack of reciprocation, or it could be seen as a way of questioning whether their love is genuine.
The third quatrain of the sonnet is perhaps the most powerful and emotional. The speaker describes his love as being "so great," that it has the power to overcome even death. This is a powerful statement about the strength of love, which can often transcend even the most difficult of circumstances.
The speaker then goes on to describe his love as being "like a disease," which suggests that it is something that he cannot control or escape from. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, where he often describes love as being a force that is beyond human control.
The final couplet of the sonnet is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker acknowledges that his love is causing him pain and torment, but he also acknowledges that he cannot help but love this person. He says, "But though I love you, yet I do not love you / And yet I hate that I am not with you." This is a powerful statement about the complexities of love, which can often be both beautiful and painful at the same time.
In conclusion, Sonnet 149: Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and the pain that can come with it. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he is able to convey the speaker's emotions in a way that is both beautiful and profound. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's genius as a poet and playwright, and it continues to be a beloved work of literature to this day.
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