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


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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;
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 prove
The constancy and virtue of your love.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 117 by William Shakespeare: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Shakespeare's Sonnet 117 is a short yet powerful poem that delves into the theme of accusation and denial. It is part of the sequence of sonnets that are dedicated to the Fair Youth, a young man who is the subject of the poet's affection. In this sonnet, the poet is accused of being unfaithful and unworthy of the youth's love. However, the poet denies these accusations and insists that he has never been untrue to the youth. Through this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the complex nature of love and the challenges that come with it.

Structure and Form

Sonnet 117 is a traditional English sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of Shakespearean sonnets. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The quatrains present the accusations against the poet, while the couplet offers a resolution to the conflict. The use of this structure and form is significant as it highlights the poet's ability to express complex emotions and ideas within a strict poetic structure.

Language and Imagery

Shakespeare's use of language and imagery in Sonnet 117 is both powerful and evocative. The opening line, "Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The word "accuse" suggests that the poet is being unfairly blamed for something he has not done. The word "scanted" means to withhold or limit, which implies that the poet is being accused of not giving enough love to the Fair Youth.

The second quatrain continues the accusations by saying, "Wherein true duty should have phoned up all." The word "duty" suggests that the poet has a responsibility to love the youth, which he has failed to do. The use of the word "phoned" creates a vivid image of the poet's duty ringing like a telephone, but going unanswered.

In the third quatrain, the poet responds to the accusations by saying, "Yet do not so, but since I am near slain, / Kill me outright with looks, and rid my pain." This is a powerful statement that shows the depth of the poet's feelings for the youth. He would rather be killed by the youth's looks than be accused of being unfaithful.

The final couplet offers a resolution to the conflict. The poet says, "Be wise as thou art cruel, do not press / My tongue-tied patience with too much disdain." This suggests that the youth is being cruel in his accusations, but the poet is willing to be patient and endure the pain. However, he begs the youth to be wise and not push him too far.

Themes

The primary theme of Sonnet 117 is love and its challenges. The poem highlights the difficulties that come with loving someone and the accusations that are often made. The poet is accused of being unfaithful and not giving enough love, but he denies these accusations and insists that he has always been true to the Fair Youth. This theme is significant as it shows that love is not always easy, and that there are challenges that must be faced.

Another theme of the poem is the power of language. The accusations made against the poet are based on words alone, and yet they have the power to cause pain and conflict. The poet's response is also based on language, and he uses it to defend himself and express his feelings. The use of language in the poem is significant as it shows how words can be used to hurt or heal, depending on how they are used.

Interpretation

Sonnet 117 is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation is that the poem is about the challenges of loving someone who is not reciprocating that love. The poet is accused of being unfaithful, but he denies these accusations and insists that he has always been true to the Fair Youth. This suggests that the poet is in love with someone who does not feel the same way, and that this is causing him pain.

Another interpretation is that the poem is about the power of accusations and how they can cause conflict. The accusations made against the poet are based on words alone, and yet they have the power to cause pain and conflict. This suggests that words have a powerful impact on our lives, and that we must be careful with how we use them.

A third interpretation is that the poem is about the complexities of love and how it can be both painful and rewarding. The poet is willing to endure the pain of the accusations because he loves the Fair Youth so deeply. This suggests that love is not always easy, and that there are challenges that must be faced. However, the rewards of love are worth the pain and effort.

Conclusion

Sonnet 117 is a powerful poem that explores the complex nature of love and its challenges. Through the use of language and imagery, Shakespeare highlights the pain that comes with loving someone and the accusations that are often made. However, the poem also suggests that love is worth the pain and effort, and that it is a powerful force that can overcome even the most difficult challenges. Overall, Sonnet 117 is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 117: Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is one of the most famous and widely read sonnets in the English language.

The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The meter of the poem is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.

The poem begins with the speaker being accused of not writing enough about the person he loves. The speaker responds by saying that he has not scanted all, meaning that he has not withheld anything. He goes on to say that he has written about his love in his heart, which is more important than anything he could put on paper.

The first quatrain of the poem sets up the accusation that the speaker has not written enough about his love. The speaker responds by saying that he has not withheld anything, but rather has written about his love in his heart. This sets up the theme of the poem, which is that true love cannot be expressed in words alone.

In the second quatrain, the speaker expands on this theme by saying that his love is too great to be confined to words. He says that his love is like a sea that cannot be measured or contained. This metaphor emphasizes the idea that true love is vast and infinite, and cannot be captured in words or any other form of expression.

The third quatrain of the poem takes a turn, as the speaker acknowledges that he has not written as much about his love as others have. He says that others have written more about their loves, but that their love is not as great as his. This is a bold statement, as it suggests that the speaker's love is so great that it cannot be expressed in words, while others' love can be expressed more easily.

The final couplet of the poem brings the theme of the poem full circle. The speaker says that he may be accused of not writing enough about his love, but that his love is so great that it cannot be expressed in words. He says that his love is beyond measure, and that it will continue to grow even after he is gone.

Overall, Sonnet 117 is a powerful poem that explores the theme of true love and its inability to be expressed in words alone. The poem is written in a beautiful and lyrical style, with a strict rhyme scheme and meter that add to its musicality. The use of metaphor and imagery throughout the poem helps to convey the speaker's message and emphasize the theme of the poem.

In conclusion, Sonnet 117: Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of the theme of true love and its inability to be expressed in words alone is timeless, and its beautiful language and imagery make it a joy to read and analyze.

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