'Sonnet 131: Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art' by William Shakespeare
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The Sonnets1609Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art,
As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel;
For well thou know'st to my dear doting heart
Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel.
Yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold
Thy face hath not the power to make love groan;
To say they err I dare not be so bold,
Although I swear it to myself alone.
And to be sure that is not false I swear,
A thousand groans but thinking on thy face,
One on another's neck do witness bear
Thy black is fairest in my judgment's place.In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds,And thence this slander, as I think, proceeds.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 131: Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art written by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 131 is a piece of literature that explores the concept of love, power, and tyranny. The sonnet is a part of Shakespeare’s famous sonnet sequence, which comprises 154 sonnets. In this sonnet, Shakespeare uses metaphors and imagery to show how love can be a form of tyranny.
The Sonnet
Before delving into the analysis of the sonnet, it is important to understand its structure. Shakespeare’s sonnets consist of 14 lines, divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. In Sonnet 131, each quatrain develops a different aspect of the theme of the poem.
Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art,
As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel;
For well thou know'st to my dear doting heart
Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel.
The first quatrain introduces the central metaphor of the poem, comparing the beloved to a tyrant. The speaker notes that the beloved is as tyrannical as those whose beauty makes them cruel. This line is significant because it suggests that the beloved’s beauty is the source of their tyranny. The speaker also acknowledges that they are aware of the beloved’s power over them, noting that they are the fairest and most precious jewel to their “dear doting heart.”
Yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold,
Thy face hath not the power to make love groan:
To say they err, I dare not be so bold,
Although I swear it to myself alone.
The second quatrain begins with a shift in tone. The speaker acknowledges that some people do not find the beloved to be as attractive as they do, noting that their face does not have the power to make love groan. However, the speaker cannot bring themselves to deny their own feelings, even if they swear it to themselves alone. This suggests that the speaker is deeply invested in their love for the beloved, even if others do not understand it.
And swear not yet, for thou, rich jewel, dost yet
In gold attire, come forth to welcome fate;
And yet in sooth, like well-appointed sire,
Thy dearest bough is not from thee estranged.
The third quatrain brings back the central metaphor, comparing the beloved to a jewel. The speaker notes that the beloved is like a jewel dressed in gold, ready to welcome fate. However, they also acknowledge that the beloved’s power over them is not absolute, comparing them to a well-appointed sire whose dearest bough is not estranged from them. This suggests that while the beloved may be powerful, they are not infallible, and there are still aspects of themselves that remain beyond their control.
The beast that bears me, tired with my woe,
Plods dully on, to bear that weight in me,
As if by some instinct the wretch did know
His rider lov'd not speed being made from thee:
The final couplet shifts the focus away from the beloved and onto the speaker’s own suffering. The speaker likens themselves to a beast that is tired and burdened by their woe. They note that the beast seems to know that their rider loves not speed, as if they are aware that the speaker’s suffering is tied to their love for the beloved.
Interpretation
At its core, Sonnet 131 is a poem about the power dynamics of love. The central metaphor of the beloved as a tyrant suggests that love can be a form of tyranny, where the beloved holds power over the speaker. However, the poem also suggests that the beloved’s power is not absolute, and there are still aspects of themselves that remain beyond their control. This suggests that while love can be a form of tyranny, it is not an all-encompassing force.
The second quatrain, in particular, is significant because it acknowledges that the speaker’s love for the beloved is not universally understood or accepted. This suggests that love is a subjective experience, and what one person finds attractive may be unappealing to another. However, the fact that the speaker cannot deny their own feelings suggests that love is a powerful force, even if it is not universally understood.
The final couplet is also significant because it shifts the focus away from the beloved and onto the speaker’s own suffering. This suggests that while the beloved may hold power over the speaker, it is the speaker who ultimately suffers as a result of their love. The metaphor of the beast that bears the speaker suggests that love can be a heavy burden to bear, and that the speaker’s suffering is tied to their love for the beloved.
Overall, Sonnet 131 is a powerful exploration of the power dynamics of love. By comparing the beloved to a tyrant, Shakespeare suggests that love can be a form of tyranny, where the beloved holds power over the speaker. However, the poem also suggests that the beloved’s power is not absolute, and there are still aspects of themselves that remain beyond their control. This suggests that while love can be a form of tyranny, it is not an all-encompassing force.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 131 by William Shakespeare is a classic example of the poet's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which are considered to be some of the greatest works of English literature.
The sonnet begins with the line "Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing his lover, whom he compares to a tyrant. The use of the word "art" in this line is significant, as it suggests that the lover is not just a person, but a work of art. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel."
Here, the speaker is suggesting that his lover's beauty is what makes them cruel, just as a tyrant's power makes them cruel. The use of the word "proudly" is also significant, as it suggests that the lover is aware of their beauty and uses it to their advantage.
The next few lines of the sonnet continue to explore the idea of the lover's cruelty. The speaker says, "For well thou know'st to my dear doting heart / Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that despite the lover's cruelty, they still hold a special place in his heart. The use of the word "doting" suggests that the speaker is deeply in love with the lover, despite their flaws.
The speaker then goes on to say, "Yet, in good faith, some say that thee behold, / Thy face hath not the power to make love groan." Here, the speaker is suggesting that some people do not find the lover attractive, and that their beauty is not universal. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "To say they err I dare not be so bold."
The speaker is acknowledging that beauty is subjective, and that not everyone will find the lover attractive. However, he is also suggesting that those who do not find the lover attractive are wrong, and that their opinion is not to be trusted.
The final lines of the sonnet continue to explore the idea of the lover's beauty and cruelty. The speaker says, "Although thy hand be fair, thy tongue hath wrought / My heart more harm than could thy hand have brought." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the lover's words have hurt him more than any physical harm they could have caused. This idea is reinforced in the final line, where the speaker says, "Nor dare I question with my jealous thought / Where thou mayst be, or thy affairs suppose."
The speaker is acknowledging that he is jealous of the lover, but that he cannot question them or their actions. This final line suggests that the speaker is willing to accept the lover's flaws, despite the pain they have caused him.
Overall, Sonnet 131 by William Shakespeare is a complex exploration of love, beauty, and cruelty. The speaker compares his lover to a tyrant, suggesting that their beauty has made them cruel. However, he also acknowledges that he is deeply in love with the lover, despite their flaws. The sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words.
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