'Sonnet 92: But do thy worst to steal thy self away' by William Shakespeare


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But do thy worst to steal thy self away,
For term of life thou art assurèd mine,
And life no longer than thy love will stay,
For it depends upon that love of thine.
Then need I not to fear the worst of wrongs,
When in the least of them my life hath end;
I see a better state to me belongs
Than that, which on thy humour doth depend.
Thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind,
Since that my life on thy revolt doth lie.
O, what a happy title do I find,
Happy to have thy love, happy to die!
But what's so blessèd-fair that fears no blot?
Thou mayst be false, and yet I know it not.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 92: But do thy worst to steal thy self away by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Sonnet 92, "But do thy worst to steal thy self away", is a powerful and passionate poem that speaks to the themes of love, loss, and self-deception. In this 14-line sonnet, Shakespeare explores the idea of a lover trying to steal himself away from his beloved, only to find that he cannot escape his own desire.

The Poem

But do thy worst to steal thy self away,

For term of life thou art assured mine;

And life no longer than thy love will stay,

For it depends upon that love of thine.

The opening quatrain of Sonnet 92 sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker addressing his lover and telling her to do her worst to steal herself away. He assures her that she belongs to him for the duration of their lives, and that his life depends on her love.

Then need I not to fear the worst of wrongs,

When in the least of them my life hath end.

I see a better state to me belongs

Than that which on thy humour doth depend:

The second quatrain continues this theme, with the speaker telling his lover that he has no reason to fear the worst possible outcome, as his life will end with even the slightest wrong. He goes on to say that he sees a better state for himself than one that is dependent on her changing moods.

Thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind,

Since that my life on thy revolt doth lie.

O, what a happy title do I find,

Happy to have thy love, happy to die!

In the third quatrain, the speaker explains that his lover cannot upset him with her changing emotions, as his life depends on her remaining constant. He then expresses his happiness at the thought of having her love, and dying with that love still intact.

But what's so blessed-fair that fears no blot?

Thou mayst be false, and yet I know it not.

The final couplet leaves the reader with a powerful and thought-provoking ending, as the speaker questions the nature of true love. He acknowledges that his lover may be false, but he may never know it.

Interpretation

Sonnet 92 is a complex and multi-layered poem that speaks to the nature of love and the human psyche. At its core, the poem is about the struggle between desire and reason, and the ways in which people deceive themselves in order to maintain their illusions.

The opening quatrain sets up the central conflict of the poem, with the speaker addressing his lover and telling her to try her worst to steal herself away. This can be read as a challenge to the lover to test the strength of his desire, and to see if he can maintain his love in the face of adversity.

The second quatrain continues this theme, with the speaker acknowledging that his life depends on his lover's love. This can be seen as a metaphor for the human need for connection, and the ways in which people cling to their loved ones in order to feel secure.

The third quatrain is perhaps the most interesting and complex section of the poem. Here, the speaker acknowledges that his lover may be inconstant, but he chooses to believe that she is constant in order to maintain his own sense of happiness. This can be seen as a psychological defense mechanism, with the speaker refusing to acknowledge the possibility of his lover's infidelity in order to protect his own emotional well-being.

The final couplet is a powerful and thought-provoking ending to the poem, as the speaker questions the nature of true love. He acknowledges that his lover may be false, but he may never know it. This can be seen as a commentary on the human need for certainty, and the ways in which people deceive themselves in order to maintain their illusions.

Overall, Sonnet 92 is a powerful and passionate poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a testament to Shakespeare's skill and insight as a poet, and a reminder of the enduring power of his work.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 92: But do thy worst to steal thy self away, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. The poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's love for the person addressed in the poem, and it is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the person he loves, telling them to do their worst to steal themselves away. The speaker is essentially saying that no matter what the person does to try and distance themselves from him, he will still love them. This is a powerful statement of love, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The second quatrain of the poem is where the speaker really begins to express his love for the person addressed in the poem. He says that even if the person were to die, he would still love them. This is a powerful statement, as it shows that the speaker's love is not based on physical attraction or any other superficial quality. Instead, it is a deep and abiding love that transcends even death.

The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker begins to express his fear that the person he loves will leave him. He says that he fears that the person will find someone else to love, and that he will be left alone. This fear is a common one, and it is something that many people can relate to. The speaker's vulnerability in expressing this fear is what makes the poem so powerful.

The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker resolves his fear and reaffirms his love for the person addressed in the poem. He says that even if the person were to leave him, he would still love them. This is a powerful statement, as it shows that the speaker's love is not conditional. Instead, it is a love that is unconditional and eternal.

One of the things that makes Sonnet 92 so powerful is the way that Shakespeare uses language to convey the speaker's emotions. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that help to bring the speaker's feelings to life. For example, in the first quatrain, the speaker tells the person he loves to "do thy worst to steal thy self away." This is a powerful metaphor, as it suggests that the person is trying to steal themselves away from the speaker. The use of the word "worst" also suggests that the person is doing something that is harmful or hurtful to the speaker.

Another example of Shakespeare's use of language can be found in the second quatrain, where the speaker says that even if the person were to die, he would still love them. This is a powerful metaphor, as it suggests that the speaker's love is so strong that it can transcend even death. The use of the word "die" also adds a sense of finality to the statement, which makes it even more powerful.

The third quatrain of the poem is where Shakespeare really shines as a poet. The speaker's fear that the person he loves will leave him is expressed through a series of vivid metaphors. For example, the speaker says that he fears that the person will "rob his treasure" and "leave him poor." These metaphors help to convey the speaker's sense of vulnerability and fear, and they add a sense of urgency to the poem.

The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker resolves his fear and reaffirms his love for the person addressed in the poem. The use of the word "love" twice in the final couplet is particularly powerful, as it emphasizes the speaker's unwavering devotion to the person he loves. The final couplet also serves as a reminder that true love is unconditional and eternal, and that it can survive even the most difficult of circumstances.

In conclusion, Sonnet 92: But do thy worst to steal thy self away is a powerful expression of love that has stood the test of time. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery help to bring the speaker's emotions to life, and the poem serves as a reminder that true love is unconditional and eternal. Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare or not, this poem is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced the power of love.

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