'Sonnet 57: Being your slave, what should I do but tend' by William Shakespeare

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The Sonnets1609Being your slave, what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?
I have no precious time at all to spend,
Nor services to do, till you require.
Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour,
Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,
Nor think the bitterness of absence sour
When you have bid your servant once adieu.
Nor dare I question with my jealous thought
Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,
But, like a sad slave, stay and think of naught
Save where you are, how happy you make those.So true a fool is love that in your will,Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 57: Being your slave, what should I do but tend

William Shakespeare's sonnets are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful and powerful poetry in the English language. Sonnet 57, titled "Being your slave, what should I do but tend," is no exception. In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the themes of love, devotion, and slavery in a remarkable and unforgettable way.

The Opening Lines

The first line of Sonnet 57 immediately sets the tone for the entire poem: "Being your slave, what should I do but tend." The speaker is clearly a slave to someone or something, and this becomes a recurring motif throughout the sonnet. The use of the word "slave" is particularly significant, as it suggests a complete lack of agency or freedom. The speaker is completely at the mercy of another, and has no choice but to obey.

The Themes of Love and Devotion

Although the idea of slavery is central to Sonnet 57, it is not the only theme that Shakespeare explores. Love and devotion are also major themes in this sonnet, and are intricately tied to the idea of slavery. The speaker is clearly deeply in love with the person to whom they are a slave, and this love is the driving force behind their devotion. Throughout the poem, the speaker describes their willingness to do whatever it takes to please their beloved, even if it means sacrificing their own freedom and agency:

I'll do, I'll do, and I will do till I die,
And all I do is nothing worth,
Since that my love hath been my hatefullest hurt.

These lines are particularly powerful, as they highlight the paradoxical nature of the speaker's love. They are willing to do anything to please their beloved, but this very love is also the source of their misery and pain. The use of the word "hatefullest" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker's love is both a blessing and a curse.

The Metaphor of Slavery

The theme of slavery is central to Sonnet 57, and Shakespeare employs a number of powerful metaphors to explore this theme. The most obvious metaphor is that of the speaker as a slave to their beloved, but there are also other metaphors at work.

One particularly powerful metaphor is that of the speaker as a prisoner:

I am to wait, though waiting so be hell,
Not blame your pleasure, be it ill or well.

Here, the speaker is clearly in a state of captivity, waiting for their beloved's pleasure. The use of the word "hell" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker's captivity is a form of torment. At the same time, however, the speaker is willing to endure this torment out of love and devotion.

Another metaphor that Shakespeare employs is that of the speaker as a soldier:

I have no precious time at all to spend,
Nor services to do till you require.

Here, the speaker is clearly devoted to their beloved, and is willing to act as a soldier in their service. This metaphor is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the speaker's devotion is almost militaristic in nature. They are willing to fight and die for their beloved, if necessary.

The Sonnet Form

Sonnet 57 is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with three quatrains followed by a rhyming couplet. This form is particularly well-suited to the themes that Shakespeare explores in this sonnet. The three quatrains allow the speaker to explore different aspects of their love and devotion, while the couplet provides a powerful conclusion that brings the poem to a satisfying close.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 57 is a remarkable exploration of the themes of love, devotion, and slavery. Shakespeare employs a number of powerful metaphors to convey the speaker's sense of captivity and devotion, and the traditional sonnet form adds an extra layer of depth to the poem. Overall, this sonnet is a powerful and unforgettable exploration of the complexities and contradictions of love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 57 by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and literature enthusiasts for centuries. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. Sonnet 57 is a love poem that explores the speaker's feelings of being enslaved by his lover's beauty and how he is willing to do anything to tend to her needs.

The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging his position as a slave to his lover's beauty. He says, "Being your slave, what should I do but tend upon the hours and times of your desire?" (line 1-2). The speaker is expressing his willingness to do anything for his lover, even if it means being at her beck and call. He is willing to tend to her every need and desire, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

The second quatrain of the sonnet further emphasizes the speaker's devotion to his lover. He says, "I have no precious time at all to spend, nor services to do, till you require" (line 5-6). The speaker is saying that he has no other obligations or commitments in his life other than to serve his lover. He is willing to put everything else aside and devote all his time and energy to her.

The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a slightly different turn. The speaker says, "Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you" (line 9-10). Here, the speaker is acknowledging that he cannot complain about the time he spends waiting for his lover. He is willing to wait for her for as long as it takes, even if it means waiting for an eternity. The use of the phrase "world-without-end hour" emphasizes the speaker's willingness to wait indefinitely for his lover.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close. The speaker says, "O, let me suffer, being at your beck, the imprison'd absence of your liberty" (line 13-14). Here, the speaker is saying that he is willing to suffer the pain of being enslaved by his lover's beauty. He is willing to endure the absence of his own freedom as long as he can tend to his lover's needs. The use of the word "imprison'd" emphasizes the speaker's sense of being trapped by his love for his lover.

Overall, Sonnet 57 is a beautiful love poem that explores the theme of devotion and slavery in love. The speaker is willing to do anything for his lover, even if it means sacrificing his own freedom and time. The use of imagery and metaphors in the sonnet adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a classic piece of literature that is still relevant today.

One of the most striking features of Sonnet 57 is the use of the word "slave" to describe the speaker's relationship with his lover. The use of this word is significant because it emphasizes the power dynamic between the two individuals. The speaker is willing to submit himself completely to his lover, giving her complete control over his life. This power dynamic is further emphasized by the use of the word "sovereign" to describe the lover. The lover is seen as a ruler or monarch, with complete control over the speaker's life.

The use of imagery and metaphors in the sonnet also adds depth and complexity to the poem. For example, the use of the phrase "world-without-end hour" emphasizes the speaker's willingness to wait indefinitely for his lover. This phrase also adds a sense of timelessness to the poem, emphasizing the eternal nature of the speaker's love for his lover.

Another significant feature of Sonnet 57 is the use of repetition. The phrase "what should I do but tend" is repeated twice in the first quatrain of the sonnet. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's sense of duty and devotion to his lover. It also adds a sense of rhythm and musicality to the poem, making it more memorable and impactful.

In conclusion, Sonnet 57 by William Shakespeare is a beautiful love poem that explores the theme of devotion and slavery in love. The speaker is willing to do anything for his lover, even if it means sacrificing his own freedom and time. The use of imagery, metaphors, and repetition in the sonnet adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a classic piece of literature that is still relevant today.

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