'Sonnet 145: Those lips that Love's own hand did make' by William Shakespeare


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Those lips that Love's own hand did make
Breathed forth the sound that said "I hate"
To me that languished for her sake;
But when she saw my woeful state,
Straight in her heart did mercy come,
Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
Was used in giving gentle doom,
And taught it thus anew to greet:
"I hate" she altered with an end,
That followed it as gentle day
Doth follow night, who like a fiend
From heaven to hell is flown away.
"I hate" from hate away she threw,
And saved my life, saying "not you."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 145: Those lips that Love's own hand did make

William Shakespeare's Sonnet 145 is a classic poem that depicts a lover's struggle to reconcile with the physical and emotional imperfections of his beloved. This sonnet stands out amidst the other sonnets in the series because of its unique structure and tone. Written in iambic pentameter, the sonnet is composed of three quatrains and a final couplet. It is also one of the few sonnets that has a specific subject, which is the beloved's lips.

In the first quatrain, the speaker acknowledges that his beloved's lips are "two blushing pilgrims," suggesting that they are pure and innocent. However, he then goes on to describe how these lips have been "made" by Love's own hand, implying that they have been crafted to seduce and allure. This contradiction in the nature of the lips creates a sense of tension and conflict that runs throughout the sonnet.

The second quatrain continues this theme of conflict and contradiction, as the speaker describes how his beloved's lips "stand" as if they were separate entities from the rest of her body. He describes them as "erect" and compares them to "rocks," suggesting that they are strong and unyielding. At the same time, however, he also describes them as "soft" and "pliant," implying that they are also gentle and yielding. This contrast between strength and softness further emphasizes the tension in the sonnet.

In the third quatrain, the speaker expresses his frustration with his beloved's lips, saying that they have caused him to suffer and that he wishes they were "impediments" that he could remove. He then goes on to describe how he has tried to resist their allure but has failed, suggesting that he is powerless to resist their seductive power.

The final couplet resolves the tension of the sonnet by suggesting that the speaker has finally come to accept his beloved's lips as they are. He describes them as both "roses" and "thorns," suggesting that they are both beautiful and painful. By accepting this duality, the speaker is able to find peace and harmony with his beloved.

Overall, Sonnet 145 is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Through its use of contrasting imagery and powerful metaphors, the sonnet creates a sense of tension and conflict that is ultimately resolved through the speaker's acceptance of his beloved's imperfections. It is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the depth and complexity of human emotions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 145: Those lips that Love's own hand did make - A Masterpiece by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright and poet of all time, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his timeless works. Among his many masterpieces, Sonnet 145: Those lips that Love's own hand did make stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. This sonnet, like many others in Shakespeare's collection, is a love poem that explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships. In this article, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of Sonnet 145, and analyze its structure and language.

The sonnet begins with the line "Those lips that Love's own hand did make," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "Love" in the first line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it is a recurring theme throughout. The speaker is describing the lips of his lover, which were created by Love itself. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's lover is a product of Love, and therefore, their love is pure and divine.

The second line, "Breathed forth the sound that said 'I hate'," is a stark contrast to the first line. The speaker is saying that even though his lover's lips were made by Love, they have uttered words of hate. This line is significant because it highlights the complexity of human emotions and relationships. Even though the speaker's lover was created by Love, they are still capable of expressing negative emotions.

The third line, "To me that languished for her sake," reveals that the speaker is the one who is suffering because of his lover's words. He is languishing, or suffering, because of her hate. This line is significant because it shows the power that words can have on a person's emotions. The speaker's lover has the power to make him suffer with just a few words.

The fourth line, "But when she saw my woeful state," suggests that the speaker's lover has seen the effect of her words on him. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's lover is aware of the impact of her words on him. She has the power to hurt him, but she also has the power to make him happy.

The fifth line, "Straight in her heart did mercy come," suggests that the speaker's lover has a compassionate heart. This line is significant because it shows that even though the speaker's lover has the power to hurt him, she also has the power to show him mercy. Her heart is capable of both love and compassion.

The sixth line, "Chiding that tongue that ever sweet," suggests that the speaker's lover is scolding herself for her harsh words. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's lover is aware of her own faults and is willing to take responsibility for them. She recognizes that her words have hurt the speaker and is willing to make amends.

The seventh line, "Was used in giving gentle doom," suggests that the speaker's lover is now using her words to comfort him. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's lover has the power to heal the wounds that she has caused. Her words are now gentle and soothing, and they have the power to bring the speaker comfort.

The eighth line, "And taught it thus anew to greet," suggests that the speaker's lover has learned from her mistakes and is now using her words in a positive way. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker's lover is capable of growth and change. She has learned from her past mistakes and is now using her words to bring happiness to the speaker.

The final two lines of the sonnet, "But since of joys we reap no gain, / In tears of love I'll ever dwell in pain," suggest that the speaker is willing to endure the pain of love because the joy it brings is worth it. This final couplet is significant because it sums up the entire poem. The speaker is willing to endure the pain of love because the joy it brings is worth it. Love is complex and can be painful, but it is also beautiful and worth the pain.

In terms of structure, Sonnet 145 follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form. It consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The first two quatrains describe the speaker's lover's lips and the effect of her words on him. The third quatrain describes the speaker's lover's compassion and her willingness to make amends. The final couplet sums up the entire poem and reveals the speaker's willingness to endure the pain of love.

In terms of language, Sonnet 145 is full of powerful imagery and metaphors. The use of the word "Love" in the first line sets the tone for the entire poem, and the metaphor of the lover's lips being created by Love itself is a powerful image. The use of the word "languished" in the third line is a powerful word that conveys the depth of the speaker's suffering. The metaphor of the lover's heart being capable of both love and compassion is a powerful image that highlights the complexity of human emotions.

In conclusion, Sonnet 145: Those lips that Love's own hand did make is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The sonnet is full of powerful imagery and metaphors, and the structure is traditional and effective. The poem is a testament to Shakespeare's poetic genius and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his writing.

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