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'Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near' by William Shakespeare


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The Sonnets1609If thy soul check thee that I come so near,
Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy Will,
And will thy soul knows is admitted there;
Thus far for love, my love suit, sweet, fulfil.
Will will fulfil the treasure of thy love,
Ay, fill it full with wills, and my will one.
In things of great receipt with case we prove
Among a number one is reckoned none.
Then in the number let me pass untold,
Though in thy store's account I one must be;
For nothing hold me, so it please thee hold
That nothing me, a something, sweet, to thee.Make but my name thy love, and love that still,And then thou lov'st me for my name is Will.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 136: "If thy soul check thee that I come so near"

What a wonderful piece of literature! William Shakespeare's Sonnet 136, "If thy soul check thee that I come so near," is a masterpiece of poetry that has been celebrated and analyzed for centuries. In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the complexities of love and desire, and the ways in which our own doubts and fears can hinder our relationships.

The sonnet is written in the typical Shakespearean form, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and each line is written in iambic pentameter. The sonnet follows a traditional pattern of thought progression, with the first quatrain introducing the speaker's dilemma, the second quatrain elaborating on it, and the third quatrain offering a solution or resolution.

In this sonnet, the speaker addresses his beloved and acknowledges that his advances may be unwelcome or unsettling. He recognizes that his beloved may feel hesitant or uncertain about their relationship, and he begs for her understanding and patience. The speaker's language is both tender and pleading, as he implores his beloved not to reject him out of fear or doubt.

The first quatrain begins with the speaker acknowledging his own approach to his beloved, and the possible hesitancy or doubt that she may feel in response:

If thy soul check thee that I come so near, Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy 'Will,' And will, thy soul knows, is admitted there; Thus far for love, my love-suit, sweet, fulfil.

The speaker recognizes that his beloved may feel a sense of hesitation or doubt when he approaches her. He urges her to "swear" to her own soul that he is her "Will," or the person she truly desires. The speaker uses the word "admitted" to suggest that their love is already recognized, but perhaps not fully acknowledged.

In the second quatrain, the speaker expands on his plea, emphasizing the depth of his love and the significance of their relationship:

Will, will fulfil the treasure of thy love, Ay, fill it full with wills, and my will one. In things of great receipt with ease we prove Among a number one is reckon'd none.

Here, the speaker argues that their love is a precious "treasure" that can only be fully realized if they both commit to it. He urges his beloved to "fill it full with wills," suggesting that their love must be mutual and fully expressed in order to be fulfilled. The final two lines of the quatrain are particularly interesting, as the speaker suggests that "among a number one is reckon'd none." This implies that their love is unique and rare, and that it is only through their mutual commitment that it can be fully realized.

In the third quatrain, the speaker offers a solution to the dilemma he has presented:

Then, gentle shadow,--truth I must confess-- I 'dearly'******** him that 'farther'** from you doth live; Who is't that can affy*** me to the test, That I in your sweet heart find such belief?

Here, the speaker calls his beloved a "gentle shadow," suggesting that she may be hesitant or elusive. He confesses that he loves even those who are farther away from him, but he asks who can "affy" him to the test of his beloved's heart. The word "affy" means to pledge or trust, and the speaker is asking for proof of his beloved's belief in him.

Finally, in the couplet, the speaker concludes his plea with a bold assertion of his love:

Yet who is so bold but says he sees thee? O, how I faint when I of you do write, Knowing a better spirit doth use your name, And in the praise thereof spends all his might!

The couplet offers a striking contrast to the rest of the sonnet, as the speaker moves from pleading to assertion. He boldly asserts that anyone who sees his beloved must acknowledge her beauty and grace. He then confesses his own weakness, saying that he "faint[s]" when he thinks of her. The final two lines are particularly interesting, as the speaker suggests that there is a "better spirit" who uses his beloved's name, and who spends all his might in praising her. This may be a reference to the idea of courtly love, in which a lover praises and adores his beloved from afar.

Overall, Shakespeare's Sonnet 136 is a beautiful and complex exploration of love and desire. The speaker's language is both tender and pleading, as he implores his beloved to trust him and commit to their love. The sonnet's use of traditional form and language creates a sense of timelessness and universality, and its themes continue to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have come across William Shakespeare's sonnet 136, "If thy soul check thee that I come so near." This classic piece of literature is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers centuries after its creation. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this sonnet, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

Sonnet 136 is part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter. The sonnet is addressed to a lover, and the speaker is trying to convince them to give in to their desires.

The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging that the lover's soul may be holding them back from giving in to their desires. The speaker then goes on to explain that the lover should not let their soul hold them back, as their desires are natural and should be acted upon. The speaker argues that the lover's soul is not the true source of their hesitation, but rather it is their fear of being judged by others that is holding them back.

The first quatrain sets the stage for the rest of the sonnet. The speaker addresses the lover and acknowledges that their soul may be holding them back from giving in to their desires. The speaker says, "If thy soul check thee that I come so near, / Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy 'Will,' / And will thy soul knows is admitted there, / Thus far for love my love-suit, sweet, fulfill." The speaker is essentially saying that if the lover's soul is holding them back, they should swear to themselves that the speaker is their will, and that their desires are natural and should be acted upon.

In the second quatrain, the speaker goes on to explain that the lover's soul is not the true source of their hesitation. The speaker argues that it is the fear of being judged by others that is holding the lover back. The speaker says, "No, will thy soul knows is admitted there, / 'Least to thyself so oftentimes thou hast sworn, / That's to be false, needs only to be hailed, / But take thy heart, and all thy wits, and then be bold." The speaker is essentially saying that the lover has already admitted to themselves that their desires are natural, and that they should not let the fear of being judged by others hold them back.

In the third quatrain, the speaker continues to encourage the lover to give in to their desires. The speaker says, "Love, all alike, no season knows nor clime, / Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time. / Thy beams so reverend and strong / Why shouldst thou think? I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink." The speaker is essentially saying that love is universal and timeless, and that the lover should not let the fear of being judged by others hold them back from acting on their desires.

Finally, in the couplet, the speaker concludes by saying, "But if thy love were ever like to mine, / As sure I think did never man love so, / How many weaknesses were thine, / That from thy eyes their kind hearts took their way! / How many fond fools served mad jealousy!" The speaker is essentially saying that if the lover's love is anything like the speaker's love, then they should not let their weaknesses hold them back from acting on their desires.

In terms of themes, Sonnet 136 explores the theme of love and desire. The speaker is trying to convince the lover to give in to their desires, arguing that their desires are natural and should be acted upon. The sonnet also explores the theme of fear and judgment. The speaker argues that the lover's fear of being judged by others is holding them back from acting on their desires.

In terms of language, Sonnet 136 is full of metaphors and imagery. The speaker uses metaphors to describe love as universal and timeless, saying that it "no season knows nor clime." The speaker also uses imagery to describe the lover's soul as a barrier holding them back from acting on their desires.

In conclusion, Sonnet 136 is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of love, desire, fear, and judgment. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, with each line written in iambic pentameter. The sonnet is addressed to a lover, and the speaker is trying to convince them to give in to their desires. The sonnet is full of metaphors and imagery, and the language is beautiful and poetic. Sonnet 136 is a masterpiece that continues to captivate readers centuries after its creation.

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