'Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth' by William Shakespeare


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The Sonnets1609When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearnd in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue;
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O, love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love, loves not to have years told.Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,And in our faults by lies we flattered be.

Editor 1 Interpretation

When My Love Swears That She is Made of Truth: A Critical Analysis of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 138

Sonnet 138, one of the most popular sonnets by William Shakespeare, is a beautiful and complex piece of literature. Composed in the traditional form of a sonnet, this poem is a perfect example of the Bard’s mastery of language, and his ability to convey profound emotions and ideas through his writing.

In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the nature of truth and deception in love. He uses a combination of humor, irony, and poetic devices to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that has continued to captivate readers for centuries.

The Structure of the Sonnet

Like most of Shakespeare’s sonnets, Sonnet 138 follows the traditional structure of a sonnet. It consists of fourteen lines, which are divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme for this sonnet is abab cdcd efef gg.

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a metrical pattern that consists of five pairs of unstressed syllables followed by stressed syllables. This gives the poem a natural rhythm that makes it easy to read and understand.

The Theme of Truth and Deception

The central theme of Sonnet 138 is the idea of truth and deception in love. The speaker of the poem admits that his lover is not entirely truthful with him, but he chooses to believe her lies anyway.

The opening lines of the sonnet set the stage for this theme:

"When my love swears that she is made of truth, I do believe her, though I know she lies."

The speaker acknowledges that his lover is not truthful when she claims to be “made of truth.” He knows that she is lying, but he chooses to believe her anyway.

The rest of the sonnet explores this idea further, as the speaker describes how he and his lover lie to each other in order to maintain their relationship. Despite the fact that they both know the truth, they continue to deceive each other in order to preserve their love.

The Use of Irony and Humor

Shakespeare uses irony and humor to convey the complex emotions and ideas in Sonnet 138. The speaker’s admission that his lover is not truthful is ironic, as he follows it by saying that he believes her lies anyway.

This irony is continued in the second quatrain of the poem, where the speaker describes how his lover lies to him:

"When she looks sweetly in my face, And whispers ‘Love,’ and ‘Dear,’ in mine ear, Then I do know the sweetest sounds that they Are sweetest forgeries."

The speaker acknowledges that his lover’s sweet words are not genuine, but he still finds them to be the “sweetest forgeries.” This use of irony and humor adds depth and complexity to the poem, and allows Shakespeare to explore the theme of truth and deception in a nuanced and interesting way.

The Use of Poetic Devices

Shakespeare also uses a variety of poetic devices to create a rich and evocative piece of poetry. One of the most prominent devices in the poem is the use of imagery.

In the second quatrain, for example, the speaker describes how his lover looks “sweetly” in his face and whispers “Love” and “Dear” in his ear. This creates a vivid image of the couple’s intimacy and love.

Shakespeare also uses metaphor to explore the theme of truth and deception. In the third quatrain, for example, the speaker compares his lover’s “oaths” to “bonds”:

"Oaths of thy love, thy truth, thy constancy; And, to enlighten thee, gave eyes to blindness, Or made them swear against the thing they see."

This metaphor highlights the idea that oaths and promises are like bonds that can be broken, just as a physical bond can be broken.

The Significance of Sonnet 138

Sonnet 138 is significant for a number of reasons. It is a perfect example of Shakespeare’s mastery of language and poetic form, and it showcases his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through his writing.

The sonnet is also significant because it explores the theme of truth and deception in love, which is a universal and timeless theme that continues to resonate with readers today. By examining the ways in which lovers deceive each other in order to preserve their relationships, Shakespeare is able to shed light on the complex and often contradictory nature of human relationships.

Overall, Sonnet 138 is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that continues to captivate readers today. Its exploration of the theme of truth and deception in love is both insightful and poignant, and its use of poetic devices and literary techniques makes it a shining example of Shakespeare’s genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

When it comes to love, we often find ourselves lost in a sea of emotions, unable to distinguish between what is real and what is not. William Shakespeare, the master of words, captures this dilemma perfectly in his classic sonnet, "When my love swears that she is made of truth." In this 14-line poem, Shakespeare explores the complexities of love and the lies we tell ourselves and each other in the name of it.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that his lover swears she is made of truth. However, he knows that this is not entirely true. He says, "I do believe her, though I know she lies." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of truth and deception in his relationship.

The second quatrain of the poem delves deeper into the speaker's thoughts on his lover's lies. He says, "That she might think me some untutored youth, / Unlearned in the world's false subtleties." Here, the speaker suggests that his lover lies to him because she thinks he is naive and inexperienced in the ways of the world. He acknowledges that he is not as worldly as she is, but he still sees through her lies.

In the third quatrain, the speaker admits that he too lies to his lover. He says, "Therefore I lie with her and she with me, / And in our faults by lies we flattered be." Here, the speaker suggests that both he and his lover lie to each other in order to flatter each other's faults. They both know that they are not perfect, but they choose to overlook each other's flaws in the name of love.

The final couplet of the poem brings everything full circle. The speaker says, "So we to flatter's with false compare, / Yet in these thoughts ourselves we do betray." Here, the speaker acknowledges that they both use false comparisons to flatter each other, but in doing so, they betray their own thoughts and feelings. They are not being true to themselves or each other, and they know it.

Overall, "When my love swears that she is made of truth" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and the lies we tell ourselves and each other in the name of it. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, as he captures the nuances of human emotion and relationships in just 14 lines.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way Shakespeare uses language to convey the speaker's conflicting emotions. The use of the word "lie" is particularly effective, as it has multiple meanings depending on the context. In the first quatrain, "lie" means to tell a falsehood, but in the third quatrain, it means to lie down with someone. This wordplay adds depth and complexity to the poem, as it highlights the speaker's conflicting emotions and the blurred lines between truth and deception in his relationship.

Another notable aspect of the poem is the way Shakespeare uses imagery to convey the speaker's thoughts and feelings. The line "That she might think me some untutored youth" is particularly effective, as it conjures up an image of a young, inexperienced lover being taken advantage of by a more worldly partner. This image adds a layer of vulnerability to the speaker's character, as he acknowledges his own naivete and inexperience in matters of love.

In conclusion, "When my love swears that she is made of truth" is a timeless exploration of the complexities of love and the lies we tell ourselves and each other in the name of it. Shakespeare's use of language and imagery is masterful, as he captures the nuances of human emotion and relationships in just 14 lines. This poem serves as a reminder that love is not always straightforward or easy, and that sometimes we must confront our own lies and deceptions in order to truly connect with another person.

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