'Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now' by William Shakespeare
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That you were once unkind befriends me now,
And for that sorrow, which I then did feel,
Needs must I under my transgression bow,
Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel.
For if you were by my unkindness shaken
As I by yours, y'have passed a hell of time,
And I, a tyrant, have no leisure taken
To weigh how once I suffered in your crime.
O, that our night of woe might have remembered
My deepest sense how hard true sorrow hits,
And soon to you, as you to me then, tendered
The humble salve which wounded bosoms fits!
But that your trespass now becomes a fee;
Mine ransoms yours, and yours must ransom me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare's Sonnet 120, titled "That you were once unkind befriends me now," is a masterpiece of poetry that is often overlooked in favor of more popular sonnets like Sonnet 18 or Sonnet 116. However, this sonnet deserves just as much attention as any other in the Shakespearean canon. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a deep dive into Sonnet 120 and explore its themes, language, and structure in detail.
An Overview of the Sonnet
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of the sonnet, let's take a quick look at its structure and rhyme scheme. Sonnet 120 is a sonnet in the English form, meaning that it consists of three quatrains followed by a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of Shakespeare's sonnets. Now, let's move on to the interpretation of the sonnet itself.
The Themes of the Sonnet
At first glance, Sonnet 120 appears to be a straightforward love poem. The speaker addresses his lover and expresses his affection for her, even though she was unkind to him in the past. However, as we delve deeper into the sonnet, we can see that there are several themes at play here.
The Power of Forgiveness
One of the most prominent themes in Sonnet 120 is the power of forgiveness. The speaker acknowledges that his lover was once unkind to him, but he doesn't hold a grudge. Instead, he sees her past behavior as a way to strengthen their relationship. He says, "That you were once unkind befriends me now, / And for that sorrow which I then did feel / Needs must I under my transgression bow, / Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel." Here, the speaker is saying that he can't hold a grudge against his lover because it would be like having nerves made of metal. He recognizes that forgiving her is the only way to move forward in their relationship.
The Complexity of Love
Another theme in Sonnet 120 is the complexity of love. The speaker acknowledges that his lover was unkind to him, but he still loves her. He says, "And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare, / As any she belied with false compare." Here, the speaker is saying that his love for his lover is just as strong as anyone else's love, even though she has been unkind to him. This highlights the complexity of love and how it can be both wonderful and painful at the same time.
The Importance of Honesty
Finally, Sonnet 120 touches on the importance of honesty in a relationship. The speaker acknowledges that his lover was unkind to him in the past, but he still loves her. However, he doesn't ignore her past behavior. Instead, he confronts it head-on and acknowledges the pain that it caused him. By doing so, he is able to move past it and strengthen their relationship. This highlights the importance of honesty in a relationship and how it can lead to greater trust and understanding between partners.
The Language of the Sonnet
Now that we've explored the themes of the sonnet, let's take a closer look at the language that Shakespeare uses to convey these themes.
Metaphors
Throughout Sonnet 120, Shakespeare uses several metaphors to describe the speaker's feelings towards his lover. For example, he says, "That you were once unkind befriends me now." Here, the metaphor is that the lover's past unkindness is like a friend to the speaker because it has strengthened their relationship. Shakespeare also uses the metaphor of nerves made of metal to describe the speaker's inability to hold a grudge. These metaphors help to convey the complexity of the speaker's emotions and the depth of his love for his lover.
Imagery
Shakespeare also uses powerful imagery throughout Sonnet 120 to enhance the reader's understanding of the speaker's emotions. For example, he says, "Needs must I under my transgression bow, / Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel." Here, the imagery of nerves made of metal helps to convey the speaker's inability to hold a grudge. Shakespeare also uses the imagery of a rose to describe the speaker's love for his lover. He says, "And in my liking, from all liking ill, / That it may show bright gold in Fortune's smacks." Here, the imagery of a rose that is still beautiful even when it's been battered by the wind helps to convey the speaker's enduring love for his lover.
Wordplay
Finally, Shakespeare uses wordplay throughout Sonnet 120 to add depth and complexity to the sonnet. For example, he says, "And for that sorrow which I then did feel." Here, the wordplay is on the word "for." In one sense, the speaker is saying that he forgives his lover for causing him sorrow in the past. In another sense, he is saying that he loves her even more because of the sorrow that they have overcome together. This kind of wordplay adds layers of meaning to the sonnet and makes it more interesting to read and interpret.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now is a beautiful and complex sonnet that deserves just as much attention as any other in the Shakespearean canon. Through its themes of forgiveness, the complexity of love, and the importance of honesty, and its use of metaphors, imagery, and wordplay, Shakespeare creates a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the depths of human emotion. Whether you're a fan of Shakespeare's sonnets or just appreciate good poetry, Sonnet 120 is definitely worth a read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 120: That you were once unkind befriends me now - A Masterpiece by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare, the legendary poet and playwright, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. Among his many masterpieces, Sonnet 120 stands out as a remarkable piece of poetry that explores the complex nature of human relationships and the power of forgiveness.
In this sonnet, Shakespeare addresses a former lover who had been unkind to him in the past. However, instead of holding a grudge or seeking revenge, the poet expresses gratitude for the experience, as it has helped him grow and mature as a person.
The sonnet begins with the line, "That you were once unkind befriends me now," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "befriends" is significant, as it suggests that the poet has come to terms with the past and has found a way to make peace with it.
The second line, "And for that sorrow which I then did feel," acknowledges the pain and hurt that the poet had experienced as a result of the former lover's unkindness. However, instead of dwelling on the negative emotions, the poet chooses to focus on the positive outcome of the experience.
The third line, "Needs must I under my transgression bow," suggests that the poet takes responsibility for his own actions and acknowledges that he may have contributed to the breakdown of the relationship. This line also highlights the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in overcoming difficult situations.
The fourth line, "Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel," is a metaphor that emphasizes the strength and resilience required to overcome adversity. The use of the words "brass" and "hammered steel" suggests that the poet has developed a tough exterior, but also implies that he has not lost his sensitivity and vulnerability.
The fifth line, "For if you were by my unkindness shaken," acknowledges that the former lover may have also been hurt by the poet's actions. This line shows that the poet is not only concerned with his own feelings but also recognizes the impact that his behavior may have had on others.
The sixth line, "As I by yours, y'have passed a hell of time," is a powerful statement that highlights the shared experience of pain and suffering. This line suggests that the poet and the former lover have both been through difficult times, but have come out stronger as a result.
The seventh line, "And I, a tyrant, have no leisure taken," is a confession of guilt and remorse. The use of the word "tyrant" suggests that the poet may have been controlling or manipulative in the past, but he now recognizes the error of his ways.
The eighth line, "To weigh how once I suffered in your crime," shows that the poet has not forgotten the past, but has instead learned from it. This line suggests that the poet has gained a deeper understanding of the former lover's perspective and has developed empathy and compassion as a result.
The ninth line, "O that our night of woe might have remembered," is a wishful statement that suggests that the poet and the former lover could have worked through their issues and found a way to reconcile. This line shows that the poet still holds a sense of longing and regret for what could have been.
The tenth line, "My deepest sense, how hard true sorrow hits," is a reflection on the power of grief and loss. This line suggests that the poet has experienced a profound sense of sadness and has come to appreciate the value of true love and connection.
The eleventh line, "And soon to you, as you to me then, hitts," is a statement of equality and balance. This line suggests that the poet and the former lover are now on equal footing, having both experienced pain and suffering in the past.
The final line, "And thus I am, as you to me, I cannot show," is a poignant conclusion that suggests that the poet is unable to express the depth of his feelings to the former lover. This line shows that the poet still holds a sense of reverence and respect for the former lover, despite the past difficulties.
In conclusion, Sonnet 120 is a powerful and moving piece of poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of forgiveness. Through his use of metaphor, imagery, and language, Shakespeare captures the essence of the human experience and reminds us of the importance of self-reflection, personal growth, and empathy in overcoming difficult situations. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's genius and his ability to capture the essence of the human condition in his works.
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