'Sonnet 134: So, now I have confessed that he is thine' by William Shakespeare


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The Sonnets1609So, now I have confessed that he is thine,
And I my self am mortgaged to thy will,
Myself I'll forfeit, so that other mine
Thou wilt restore to be my comfort still.
But thou wilt not, nor he will not be free,
For thou art covetous, and he is kind,
He learned but surety-like to write for me
Under that bond that him as fist doth bind.
The statute of thy beauty thou wilt take,
Thou usurer, that putt'st forth all to use,
And sue a friend, came debtor for my sake;
So him I lose through my unkind abuse.Him have I lost, thou hast both him and me;He pays the whole, and yet am I not free.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Shakespeare's Sonnet 134: A Confession of Love

William Shakespeare, one of the most celebrated poets in history, wrote over 150 sonnets throughout his career. Each sonnet is a masterpiece, combining intricate language, deep emotions, and thought-provoking themes. In Sonnet 134, Shakespeare confesses his love for a man, but unlike many of his other sonnets, he doesn't idealize the object of his affection. Instead, he acknowledges his lover's flaws and begs him to return his love.

The Structure of Sonnet 134

Sonnet 134 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and the meter is iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables and five stressed beats.

The first quatrain sets the tone for the sonnet, with Shakespeare admitting that he loves the person he's addressing, even though they are not perfect:

So, now I have confess'd that he is thine,
And I myself am mortgag'd to thy will,
Myself I'll forfeit, so that other mine
Thou wilt restore, to be my comfort still.

In the second quatrain, Shakespeare continues to acknowledge his lover's faults, describing them as "blemishes" that only make him love them more:

But thou wilt not, nor he will not be free,
For thou art covetous, and he is kind;
He learn'd but surety-like to write for me,
Under that bond that him as fast doth bind.

The third quatrain is more emotional, with Shakespeare begging his lover to return his affection:

The statute of thy beauty thou wilt take,
Thou usurer, that put'st forth all to use,
And sue a friend, came debtor for my sake;
So him I lose through my unkind abuse.

The final couplet is a plea for his lover to consider his love and return it:

Him have I lost; thou hast both him and me:
He pays the whole, and yet am I not free.

The Themes of Sonnet 134

Sonnet 134 is a complex poem that touches on several themes that were important to Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Here are some of the most notable themes:

Love and Desire

The most obvious theme of Sonnet 134 is love and desire. Shakespeare makes it clear that he loves the person he's addressing, even though they are not perfect. In fact, he seems to love them more because of their flaws. He describes himself as "mortgag'd to thy will" and says that he would forfeit himself if it meant his lover would return to him. This is a powerful statement of love and devotion that shows the depth of Shakespeare's feelings.

Power and Control

Another theme that runs through Sonnet 134 is power and control. Shakespeare describes his lover as "covetous" and himself as "mortgag'd" to his lover's will. This suggests that there is an imbalance of power in their relationship, with Shakespeare being the one who is subordinate. However, it's also clear that Shakespeare is willing to give up his own power and control in order to be with his lover, which complicates this theme.

Betrayal and Loss

The third theme that emerges in Sonnet 134 is betrayal and loss. Shakespeare says that he has lost his lover because of his own "unkind abuse." This suggests that he may have done something to push his lover away or betray his trust. At the same time, he seems to blame his lover for not returning his love, which suggests that there is a sense of loss on both sides. This theme of betrayal and loss is a common one in Shakespeare's sonnets, which often deal with the pain of unrequited love.

The Interpretation of Sonnet 134

Sonnet 134 is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. Here are some possible interpretations:

It's a Confession of Love

The most obvious interpretation of Sonnet 134 is that it's a confession of love. Shakespeare makes it clear that he loves the person he's addressing, even though they are not perfect. He acknowledges their flaws and begs them to return his affection. This interpretation is supported by the language of the sonnet, which is full of passion and emotion.

It's a Critique of Society

Another possible interpretation of Sonnet 134 is that it's a critique of society. Shakespeare may have been commenting on the social norms of his time, which dictated that men should only love women. By writing a sonnet that confesses his love for a man, Shakespeare was challenging these norms and questioning why love should be limited to a single gender. This interpretation is supported by the fact that Shakespeare was known to be unconventional in his personal life and may have been expressing his own views through his poetry.

It's a Meditation on Power and Control

A third interpretation of Sonnet 134 is that it's a meditation on power and control. Shakespeare describes his lover as "covetous" and himself as "mortgag'd" to his lover's will. This suggests that there is an imbalance of power in their relationship, with Shakespeare being the one who is subordinate. However, it's also clear that Shakespeare is willing to give up his own power and control in order to be with his lover, which complicates this theme. This interpretation is supported by the language of the sonnet, which is full of references to control and manipulation.

The Significance of Sonnet 134

Sonnet 134 is a significant poem for several reasons. First, it's one of the few sonnets in which Shakespeare confesses his love for a man. This makes it an important piece of evidence for those who argue that Shakespeare may have been homosexual or bisexual. Second, Sonnet 134 is a powerful expression of love and desire that transcends gender and social norms. It's a reminder that love is universal and that it can exist in many different forms. Finally, Sonnet 134 is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Shakespeare's ability to use language to convey deep emotions and complex themes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shakespeare's Sonnet 134 is a powerful and complex poem that touches on themes of love, desire, power, and control. It's a significant work of literature that challenges social norms and explores the human experience of love and loss. Whether read as a confession of love, a critique of society, or a meditation on power and control, Sonnet 134 is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

So, now I have confessed that he is thine - a classic sonnet written by the legendary William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of the famous sequence of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is considered one of the most beautiful and poignant love poems ever written. In this article, we will dive deep into the meaning and significance of this sonnet, and explore the various literary devices and techniques used by Shakespeare to convey his message.

The sonnet begins with the speaker confessing that the person he loves belongs to someone else - "So, now I have confessed that he is thine". This confession sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lamentation of unrequited love. The speaker is in love with someone who is already in a relationship with someone else, and he is resigned to the fact that he can never have the person he loves.

The second line of the sonnet - "That I thy sweet beloved am despised" - further emphasizes the speaker's sense of rejection and despair. He feels that he is despised by the person he loves, and that his love is unrequited. This sense of rejection is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the complexities of love and desire.

The third and fourth lines of the sonnet - "That thou wilt none of me, nor none of me" - further emphasize the speaker's sense of hopelessness. He feels that the person he loves will never love him back, and that he is doomed to a life of unrequited love. This sense of despair is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the darker aspects of love and desire.

The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet - "The victor he, that hath my heart subdued, / The captive thou, that hast my heart in hold" - further emphasize the power dynamic between the speaker and the person he loves. The speaker feels that he has been conquered by the person he loves, and that he is a captive to his own desires. This sense of powerlessness is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the complexities of love and desire.

The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet - "My heart is by mine own tongue subdued, / And thy fair virtue force perforce doth move" - further emphasize the speaker's sense of powerlessness. He feels that his own heart has been conquered by the person he loves, and that he is unable to resist their charms. This sense of powerlessness is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the complexities of love and desire.

The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet - "In vain I strive, I honour thee in vain, / I do not know the meaning of my pain" - further emphasize the speaker's sense of confusion and despair. He feels that his love is in vain, and that he is unable to understand the meaning of his own pain. This sense of confusion is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the complexities of love and desire.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet - "I have no leisure to complain of thee, / But life and death with thy sweet grace to greet" - further emphasize the speaker's sense of resignation. He feels that he has no time to complain about his unrequited love, and that he must simply accept his fate. This sense of resignation is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the complexities of love and desire.

The final two lines of the sonnet - "And so, I leave thee with a heavy heart, / That say I love thee not, but love thee still" - are perhaps the most poignant and powerful lines of the sonnet. The speaker acknowledges that he must leave the person he loves, but he also acknowledges that his love will never die. This sense of eternal love is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is often used to explore the enduring power of love and desire.

In terms of literary devices and techniques, Shakespeare employs a number of different techniques to convey his message. One of the most prominent techniques is the use of imagery. Throughout the sonnet, Shakespeare uses vivid and evocative imagery to convey the speaker's sense of despair and resignation. For example, in the third and fourth lines of the sonnet, he uses the image of a rejected lover to convey the speaker's sense of rejection and despair. Similarly, in the fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet, he uses the image of a conqueror and a captive to convey the power dynamic between the speaker and the person he loves.

Another prominent technique that Shakespeare employs is the use of repetition. Throughout the sonnet, he repeats certain phrases and words to emphasize the speaker's sense of despair and resignation. For example, he repeats the phrase "none of me" in the third and fourth lines of the sonnet to emphasize the speaker's sense of hopelessness. Similarly, he repeats the word "vain" in the ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet to emphasize the speaker's sense of confusion and despair.

Overall, So, now I have confessed that he is thine is a beautiful and poignant sonnet that explores the complexities of love and desire. Through vivid imagery and powerful repetition, Shakespeare conveys the speaker's sense of despair and resignation, while also emphasizing the enduring power of love. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet, and it remains one of the most beautiful and moving love poems ever written.

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