'Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth' by William Shakespeare

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When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearnèd in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue;
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O, love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love, loves not to have years told.
Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flattered be.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth

William Shakespeare is undoubtedly one of the greatest poets of all time, and his sonnets remain some of the most enduring works of English literature. Among his many masterpieces, Sonnet 138 stands out as a prime example of his poetic genius. This sonnet is a complex and nuanced exploration of love, truth, and deception, and it offers a powerful commentary on the nature of human relationships.

At first glance, Sonnet 138 appears to be a simple love poem, in which the speaker expresses his devotion to his lover. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to see that there is much more going on beneath the surface.

The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging that his lover sometimes lies to him, but he loves her anyway. He says:

"When my love swears that she is made of truth, I do believe her, though I know she lies,"

This opening couplet sets the stage for the rest of the poem, and it immediately raises some intriguing questions. Why does the speaker believe his lover, even though he knows she is lying? What kind of love is this that can tolerate such deception?

As the sonnet unfolds, we begin to see that the speaker's love is not a naive or blind affection, but rather a mature and nuanced understanding of the complexities of human relationships. He knows that his lover is not perfect, and he accepts her flaws and contradictions. He says:

"That she might think me some untutored youth, Unlearnèd in the world's false subtleties. Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young, Although she knows my days are past the best,"

Here, the speaker acknowledges that his lover may see him as naive or inexperienced, but he also recognizes that he is not as young as he used to be. He is aware of the ways in which age and experience have shaped his perspective on the world, and he is not afraid to confront the harsh realities of human relationships.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Sonnet 138 is the way in which it explores the theme of truth. The speaker's lover claims to be "made of truth," but the speaker knows that this is not entirely true. He says:

"I do believe her, though I know she lies, That she might think me some untutored youth, Unlearnèd in the world's false subtleties."

Here, the speaker suggests that his lover's lies are a kind of game that they both play, a way of testing each other's knowledge and understanding of the world. He knows that she is not always truthful, but he also knows that she is not entirely false. There is a sense in which her lies are a kind of truth, a way of revealing her true self to him.

At the same time, however, the speaker is not entirely comfortable with his lover's deception. He recognizes the potential for harm and betrayal that lies beneath her lies, and he is constantly on guard against it. He says:

"Which by and by black night doth take away, Death's second self, that seals up all in rest."

This sense of unease and uncertainty is one of the defining characteristics of Sonnet 138. The speaker is never entirely sure of his lover's true motives or intentions, and he is constantly questioning his own perceptions of reality.

Despite these doubts and uncertainties, however, the speaker remains fiercely loyal to his lover. He is willing to overlook her flaws and imperfections, and he is determined to make their relationship work. He says:

"But wherefore says she not she is unjust? And wherefore say not I that I am old? O, love's best habit is in seeming trust, And age in love loves not to have years told."

This final couplet encapsulates the central theme of Sonnet 138: the power of love to transcend age, experience, and even truth itself. The speaker knows that his lover is not entirely truthful, but he also knows that their love is stronger than any deception or falsehood. In the end, it is love and trust that hold their relationship together, and that allow them to weather the storms of life.

In conclusion, Sonnet 138 is a masterpiece of English literature, and a powerful commentary on the nature of love and truth. Through its complex and nuanced exploration of the complexities of human relationships, it offers a profound insight into the ways in which we navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of love and deception. Whether we are young or old, experienced or naive, we all have something to learn from the wisdom and insight of this timeless sonnet. So let us raise a toast to William Shakespeare, and to the enduring power of his poetry!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is one of the most famous of Shakespeare's sonnets, and it is a perfect example of his mastery of the English language. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker's lover swearing that she is made of truth. However, the speaker knows that this is not entirely true, and he acknowledges that his lover is prone to lying. He says that he knows that she is lying, but he chooses to believe her anyway. The speaker then goes on to describe how he and his lover have an understanding that they will both lie to each other, but they will still love each other.

The theme of the poem is the nature of truth and lies in a relationship. The speaker acknowledges that his lover is not entirely truthful, but he chooses to believe her anyway. This theme is relevant even today, as many people struggle with the truth in their relationships. The poem suggests that sometimes it is better to believe a lie than to face the truth, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

The structure of the poem is a classic Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, which is typical of Shakespeare's writing.

The first quatrain of the poem sets the scene and introduces the theme. The speaker's lover swears that she is made of truth, but the speaker knows that this is not entirely true. The second quatrain explores the speaker's response to his lover's lies. He acknowledges that she is lying, but he chooses to believe her anyway. The third quatrain describes the understanding that the speaker and his lover have about lying to each other. The final couplet sums up the poem's message, which is that sometimes it is better to believe a lie than to face the truth.

The poem's literary devices include metaphor, paradox, and irony. The metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the lover to truth. The paradox is that the speaker knows that his lover is lying, but he chooses to believe her anyway. The irony is that the speaker and his lover have an understanding that they will both lie to each other, but they will still love each other.

The poem's language is simple yet powerful, and it is typical of Shakespeare's writing. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality, and the rhyme scheme adds to its structure. The poem's language is also full of imagery, which helps to convey the poem's themes. For example, the line "Therefore I lie with her and she with me" creates a powerful image of two people lying together, both physically and emotionally.

In conclusion, Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth is a classic poem that explores the nature of truth and lies in a relationship. The poem's themes are relevant even today, and its structure and literary devices are typical of Shakespeare's writing. The poem's language is simple yet powerful, and it is full of imagery that helps to convey its message. This sonnet is a perfect example of Shakespeare's mastery of the English language, and it is a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest writers of all time.

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