'Sonnet 117: Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all' by William Shakespeare


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The Sonnets1609Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all
Wherein I should your great deserts repay,
Forgot upon your dearest love to call,
Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day;
That I have frequent been with unknown minds,
And given to time your own dear-purchased right;
That I have hoisted sail to all the winds
Which should transport me farthest from your sight.
Book both my wilfulness and errors down,
And on just proof surmise, accumulate;
Bring me within the level of your frown,
But shoot not at me in your wakened hate,Since my appeal says I did strive to proveThe constancy and virtue of your love.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 117: Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all

William Shakespeare's Sonnet 117 is a perplexing piece of poetry that has been the subject of several interpretations and criticisms over the years. The sonnet is part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which are considered among the finest works of poetry in the English language.

In this particular sonnet, Shakespeare seems to be responding to some accusations made against him. He starts by saying, "Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all," which means that he is being accused of not giving enough attention or praise to someone or something.

The sonnet is a plea from the poet asking his accusers to look at the bigger picture and not judge him based on a narrow perspective. Shakespeare argues that his love is boundless, and it cannot be limited to one person or thing. He is essentially saying that his love is not exclusive, but inclusive.

Analysis

The first quatrain of the sonnet establishes the accusation that Shakespeare is addressing. He says, "Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all; / Wherein I should your great deserts repay, / Forgot upon your dearest love to call, / Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day." In other words, he is being accused of not giving enough credit where it is due and not expressing his love for someone or something that deserves it.

In the second quatrain, Shakespeare counters the accusation by saying that his love for the person or thing is so great that it cannot be confined to one individual or object. He says, "That I have frequent been with unknown minds, / And given to time your own dear-purchased right; / That I have hoisted sail to all the winds / Which should transport me farthest from your sight."

Here, Shakespeare is saying that he has given his love to many people and things that are unknown to his accusers. He has also allowed time to take away the love that his accusers believe he should have given to them. Shakespeare is essentially saying that his love is like the wind, and it cannot be tamed or directed.

The third quatrain of the sonnet is where Shakespeare makes his final argument. He says, "But do not so; I love thee in such sort, / As thou being mine, mine is thy good report." In this line, Shakespeare is saying that his love is not limited to one person or thing, but it encompasses all. He is essentially saying that his love is inclusive, and it cannot be confined to one individual or object.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close. Shakespeare says, "So then I am not lame, poor, nor despised, / Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give." Here, Shakespeare is saying that the accusation made against him is a mere shadow, and it does not define who he is. His love is his substance, and it gives him value and worth.

Interpretation

There are several interpretations of Sonnet 117, and each one highlights a different aspect of the poem. One interpretation of the sonnet is that Shakespeare is defending himself against the accusation of neglecting or forgetting someone or something that deserves his love.

Another interpretation of the sonnet is that Shakespeare is defending his love against those who accuse him of not loving them enough. He is essentially saying that his love is not exclusive, but inclusive, and it cannot be confined to one individual or object.

The lines "That I have frequent been with unknown minds, / And given to time your own dear-purchased right; / That I have hoisted sail to all the winds / Which should transport me farthest from your sight" can be interpreted as Shakespeare's way of saying that he has given his love to many people and things that are unknown to his accusers. He has also allowed time to take away the love that his accusers believe he should have given to them. Shakespeare is essentially saying that his love is like the wind, and it cannot be tamed or directed.

Another interpretation of the sonnet is that Shakespeare is making a statement about the nature of love. He is saying that love cannot be confined to one individual or object but encompasses all. Love is inclusive, and it cannot be limited or restricted.

Conclusion

Sonnet 117 is a beautiful piece of poetry that highlights Shakespeare's talent as a poet and his ability to express complex emotions through his work. The sonnet is a plea from the poet asking his accusers to look at the bigger picture and not judge him based on a narrow perspective.

Shakespeare's argument that his love is inclusive and cannot be confined to one individual or object is a powerful statement about the nature of love. Love is not exclusive but inclusive, and it cannot be limited or restricted.

Overall, Sonnet 117 is a thought-provoking poem that challenges us to see love in a different light. It reminds us that love is boundless and cannot be confined to one individual or object. Shakespeare's words still resonate today, and they are a testament to his talent as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 117 by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that has been analyzed and studied by scholars for centuries. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. Sonnet 117 is a love poem that speaks to the idea of being accused of not giving enough love or attention to one's beloved. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in Sonnet 117.

The first thing to note about Sonnet 117 is its structure. Like all sonnets, it is composed of 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. In this case, the rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet rhymes with itself. This structure is known as the Shakespearean sonnet, and it is one of the most popular forms of sonnet in English literature.

The language used in Sonnet 117 is also worth examining. Shakespeare's use of language is one of the reasons why his works have endured for so long. In this sonnet, he employs a variety of literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and repetition. For example, in the first line, he writes, "Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all." The word "scanted" means to limit or restrict, and Shakespeare uses it to describe the accusation that he has not given enough love to his beloved. This line sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet, which is a defense against this accusation.

The second quatrain of the sonnet begins with the line, "But love, by reason of his wandering gaze." Here, Shakespeare personifies love as having a wandering gaze, which suggests that love is fickle and easily distracted. This is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets, as he often explores the idea of love as a force that is both powerful and unpredictable.

The third quatrain of the sonnet begins with the line, "Or, if I wake, shall I not be distraught." Here, Shakespeare uses repetition to emphasize the idea of being distraught. The word "distraught" means to be deeply upset or agitated, and Shakespeare uses it twice in this line to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. This line also suggests that the speaker is worried about losing his beloved, which adds to the sense of urgency in the sonnet.

The final couplet of the sonnet is particularly powerful. It reads, "Nor dare I question with my jealous thought / Where you may be, or your affairs suppose." Here, Shakespeare uses the word "jealous" to describe the speaker's thoughts. This suggests that the speaker is struggling with feelings of jealousy, which is a common theme in Shakespeare's sonnets. However, the speaker acknowledges that he cannot question his beloved's whereabouts or assume anything about their affairs. This final couplet suggests that the speaker has come to a place of acceptance and trust in his relationship, which is a hopeful note to end on.

The themes of Sonnet 117 are also worth exploring. One of the main themes is the idea of love as a force that is both powerful and unpredictable. Shakespeare explores this theme throughout his sonnets, and it is particularly evident in Sonnet 117. The speaker is accused of not giving enough love to his beloved, but he argues that love is fickle and easily distracted. This suggests that the speaker is not intentionally withholding his love, but rather that love is a force that is difficult to control.

Another theme in Sonnet 117 is the idea of jealousy and trust in a relationship. The speaker acknowledges that he feels jealous, but he also recognizes that he cannot question his beloved's whereabouts or assume anything about their affairs. This suggests that the speaker has come to a place of acceptance and trust in his relationship, which is a positive note to end on.

In conclusion, Sonnet 117 by William Shakespeare is a classic piece of poetry that explores the themes of love, jealousy, and trust in a relationship. The structure and language of the sonnet are both carefully crafted to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts. Shakespeare's use of literary devices such as metaphor, personification, and repetition add depth and complexity to the sonnet. Overall, Sonnet 117 is a powerful and moving piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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