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“Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare: A Critical Analysis
“Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare first appeared in The Passionate Pilgrim, a collection published in 1599, although it is traditionally included in Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence published in 1609.
“Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare first appeared in The Passionate Pilgrim, a collection published in 1599, although it is traditionally included in Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence published in 1609. This sonnet stands out for its use of simpler language and lighter tone compared to many other sonnets in the sequence, leading scholars to speculate that it may have been composed in Shakespeare’s early years. Its main qualities include playful wordplay and a rhythmic structure that deviates slightly from the traditional sonnet form. The main idea revolves around the transformation of harsh words into kindness, as the speaker reflects on a moment when a lover’s threatening phrase, “I hate,” is softened by the eventual completion, “not you,” thus shifting the mood from fear to relief and affection.
Text: “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
Those lips that Love’s own hand did make Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate,’ To me that languish’d 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 alter’d with an end, That follow’d 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.’
Personification: Love is personified as having hands to create lips. Alliteration: Repetition of the “L” sound in “Love” and “lips.” This line introduces the subject of love, implying divine craftsmanship.
Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate,’
Enjambment: The sentence continues from the previous line without a pause. Irony: The use of “I hate” contrasts with the expectation of loving words from lips made by Love.
To me that languish’d for her sake:
Emotive Language: “Languish’d” conveys deep emotional suffering.
But when she saw my woeful state,
Tone shift: The speaker’s emotional state is highlighted by “woeful.” The line shifts from the speaker’s anticipation to the lover’s reaction.
Straight in her heart did mercy come,
Personification: “Mercy” is personified as entering the heart. Symbolism: “Mercy” symbolizes compassion and kindness in love.
Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
Personification: The tongue is personified as capable of being “chided” or reprimanded, contrasting with its usual “sweet” nature. Alliteration: “That tongue that.”
Was used in giving gentle doom,
Oxymoron: “Gentle doom” juxtaposes softness with judgment. Consonance: The repetition of the “t” sound.
And taught it thus anew to greet:
Personification: The tongue is again personified as learning a new way to speak. The line emphasizes change and renewal.
‘I hate’ she alter’d with an end,
Wordplay: The alteration of “I hate” forms the crux of the sonnet’s resolution. Irony: The expected meaning of “I hate” is subverted.
That follow’d it as gentle day
Simile: Comparing the alteration of “I hate” to the transition from night to day. Symbolism: “Gentle day” represents kindness and light.
Doth follow night, who like a fiend
Simile: Night is compared to a fiend, reinforcing the contrast between dark, negative emotions and light, positive emotions.
From heaven to hell is flown away;
Metaphor: The shift from heaven to hell metaphorically represents the dramatic emotional change.
‘I hate’ from hate away she threw,
Repetition: The phrase “I hate” is repeated to emphasize the importance of the transformation. Metaphor: The throwing away of hate symbolizes rejection of negative emotions.
And saved my life, saying – ‘not you.’
Hyperbole: “Saved my life” exaggerates the emotional impact. Antithesis: The contrast between the initial “I hate” and the final “not you.” Rhetorical Effect: The line serves as the sonnet’s emotional climax.
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
The phrase is repeated to emphasize the shift in meaning, creating tension and then resolution through its transformation.
Rhetorical Effect
“Saying – ‘not you'”
The use of direct speech as a rhetorical device creates a powerful emotional shift, resolving the conflict of the poem in a personal, immediate manner.
A comparison using “as” illustrates the natural, inevitable shift from hate to love, akin to the transition from night to day.
Tone Shift
From “woeful state” to “saved my life”
The tone of the poem shifts from despair to relief and joy, marking the transformation of emotion from sorrow to love.
Themes: “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
The Power of Language and Words: In “Sonnet 145,” Shakespeare explores the power that language holds in shaping emotions and relationships. The pivotal phrase, “I hate,” uttered by the speaker’s lover, initially causes pain and distress. However, this phrase is transformed when she alters it to say, “not you,” revealing the ability of words to dramatically shift meaning and emotion. The transition from potential rejection to reassurance exemplifies how language can heal or harm, depending on how it is used. This theme is underscored in lines like “Chiding that tongue that ever sweet / Was used in giving gentle doom,” where the lover’s tongue, normally associated with gentle words, plays a decisive role in altering the speaker’s emotional state.
Love and Mercy: Love and mercy are intertwined themes in “Sonnet 145,” as the speaker experiences both harshness and compassion in his relationship. Initially, the words “I hate” seem to represent rejection, which devastates the speaker who “languish’d for her sake.” However, when the lover sees his “woeful state,” mercy enters her heart, symbolized by the line “Straight in her heart did mercy come.” The act of mercy here is the alteration of the phrase from hate to love, which transforms the speaker’s sorrow into relief. This shift emphasizes the redemptive power of love, where mercy leads to emotional salvation, illustrated in the concluding line: “And saved my life, saying – ‘not you.'”
Emotional Transformation: The theme of emotional transformation is central to “Sonnet 145,” as the poem traces a shift from despair to joy. The speaker initially describes himself as “woeful” and “languish’d” in response to hearing “I hate.” This phrase, spoken by his lover, brings about a state of emotional turmoil. However, the lover’s subsequent act of changing the phrase to “not you” brings immediate relief, illustrating the emotional reversal. The comparison of this transformation to the natural cycle of night and day, where “gentle day doth follow night,” emphasizes the inevitability and healing power of emotional change.
The Conflict Between Love and Hate: In “Sonnet 145,” Shakespeare addresses the duality of love and hate, two emotions often intertwined in romantic relationships. The phrase “I hate,” spoken by the lover, seems to represent a moment of conflict or tension in their relationship. Yet, through her compassion, the lover resolves the conflict by completing the phrase with “not you,” effectively dispelling any notion of hate towards the speaker. The juxtaposition of love and hate, highlighted by lines like “‘I hate’ from hate away she threw,” demonstrates how these emotions can coexist, but love ultimately triumphs.
Literary Theories and “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
Feminist literary theory examines gender roles and the representation of women in literature. In “Sonnet 145,” the woman holds the power to affect the male speaker’s emotions profoundly. Her words initially cause distress, but she is also the one who offers mercy, altering the phrase from “I hate” to “not you.” The poem highlights the agency of the female figure in controlling the emotional dynamics of the relationship, subverting traditional gender power structures.
“Those lips that Love’s own hand did make” and “Straight in her heart did mercy come” show the woman’s significant emotional influence and her ability to change the direction of the speaker’s emotions.
Psychoanalytic criticism, rooted in Freudian concepts, explores the speaker’s unconscious mind, desires, and emotional turmoil. In “Sonnet 145,” the speaker’s emotional conflict emerges from the perceived rejection when the lover says, “I hate.” The eventual transformation to “not you” reveals the resolution of the speaker’s fear of abandonment, suggesting underlying anxieties about love and rejection.
The lines “To me that languish’d for her sake” and “saved my life, saying – ‘not you’” reflect the speaker’s psychological struggle with feelings of rejection and relief.
Reader-response criticism focuses on the reader’s interpretation of the text. In “Sonnet 145,” different readers may interpret the lover’s words and actions in varied ways, potentially reading the phrase “I hate” as either a cruel rejection or a playful test of the speaker’s emotions. The transformation to “not you” creates a moment of emotional relief, which readers can personally relate to based on their own experiences of love and conflict.
The shift from “I hate” to “not you” in the poem invites readers to engage emotionally with the text, experiencing the same tension and relief as the speaker. The phrase “And saved my life” can be read differently depending on the reader’s perspective.
Critical Questions about “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
How does the transformation of the phrase “I hate” reflect the power dynamics in the relationship?
In “Sonnet 145,” the transformation of the phrase “I hate” to “not you” underscores the significant emotional and linguistic power the woman holds in the relationship. Initially, her words cause deep distress to the speaker, who “languish’d for her sake.” However, when she alters the phrase, her compassion is evident, as “mercy” enters her heart. This shift emphasizes her control over the emotional atmosphere, showcasing how a single utterance can determine the speaker’s emotional well-being. The speaker’s life is metaphorically “saved” by her decision to soften her words, highlighting the woman’s authority in defining the emotional tone of their relationship.
What role does mercy play in the resolution of the speaker’s emotional turmoil?
Mercy plays a pivotal role in the resolution of the speaker’s emotional suffering in “Sonnet 145.” The speaker is initially devastated by the words “I hate,” which seem to threaten the stability of the relationship. However, when the woman sees his “woeful state,” mercy “straight in her heart did come.” This act of mercy, expressed by altering the phrase to “not you,” serves as a moment of redemption for the speaker, saving him from the despair that had overtaken him. The concept of mercy here is portrayed as a powerful force that can heal emotional wounds and restore harmony, illustrating its importance in love and human connection.
How does the imagery of day and night contribute to the theme of emotional transformation?
The imagery of day and night in “Sonnet 145” enhances the theme of emotional transformation by symbolizing the speaker’s shift from despair to relief. The phrase “as gentle day / Doth follow night” evokes the natural cycle of darkness giving way to light, which parallels the speaker’s emotional journey. Just as day follows night, the speaker’s relief follows his initial distress caused by the phrase “I hate.” The night, described as a “fiend,” symbolizes the emotional turmoil and fear that accompany feelings of rejection, while the arrival of day represents the restoration of peace and affection. This imagery reinforces the inevitability and healing nature of emotional change.
What is the significance of the speaker describing the lover’s words as “gentle doom”?
In “Sonnet 145,” the phrase “gentle doom” encapsulates the paradoxical nature of the lover’s words and highlights the complexity of love. “Doom” typically connotes judgment or condemnation, suggesting the potential for harm, yet it is described as “gentle,” implying softness and kindness. This oxymoron reflects the tension in the relationship, where the lover’s words possess the power to hurt, as seen with “I hate,” but also the capacity to soothe and heal, as shown when she alters the phrase. The description of the lover’s words as “gentle doom” signifies the speaker’s recognition of love’s dual nature—both painful and redemptive, with the ability to both wound and save.
Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
“My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning Both poems explore power dynamics in romantic relationships, where one figure holds significant control over the emotional state of the other, though Browning’s work deals with more sinister manipulation.
“A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” by John Donne Similar to “Sonnet 145,” this poem highlights the transformation of emotions and the reassurance of love during separation, emphasizing the constancy of affection despite outward challenges.
“Love’s Philosophy” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Like “Sonnet 145,” this poem reflects on love’s natural forces and emotional connections, where physical closeness and emotional harmony are essential themes.
“She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron This poem, similar to “Sonnet 145,” focuses on the beauty and influence of a beloved woman, where her qualities deeply affect the speaker’s emotions and perceptions of love.
“The Flea” by John Donne Both poems play with language and wit, using seemingly simple phrases or symbols to explore complex emotions of love, desire, and union between lovers.
Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
This opening line describes the lover’s lips, suggesting divine craftsmanship in their creation.
Feminist Theory: The line emphasizes the power of the woman’s speech, reflecting her ability to influence the speaker emotionally.
“Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate'”
The speaker hears these devastating words from his lover, causing him distress.
Psychoanalytic Theory: The phrase “I hate” can symbolize the speaker’s unconscious fears of rejection and abandonment.
“To me that languish’d for her sake”
The speaker expresses his emotional suffering, revealing his vulnerability.
Reader-Response Theory: Readers may empathize with the speaker’s emotional state, identifying with his feelings of longing and anguish.
“But when she saw my woeful state”
The lover observes the speaker’s pain, which prompts a change in her behavior.
Feminist Theory: This line reflects the woman’s agency in the relationship, as she decides to alter her words out of compassion.
“Straight in her heart did mercy come”
The lover feels mercy for the speaker, leading her to soften her words.
Moral Criticism: This line emphasizes the theme of mercy and compassion as moral virtues in relationships.
“Chiding that tongue that ever sweet”
The lover’s tongue, once known for gentle words, is reprimanded for its harshness.
Deconstruction: The contrast between the sweetness of the tongue and the harshness of “I hate” destabilizes traditional binaries of love and hate.
“Was used in giving gentle doom”
The speaker reflects on the lover’s past words, which offered kindness despite judgment.
New Historicism: The oxymoron “gentle doom” can be understood in the context of Renaissance courtly love, where lovers often face tension between affection and social expectations.
“I hate” she alter’d with an end”
The lover changes her words, transforming a statement of hate into one of love.
Structuralism: The alteration of the phrase demonstrates the power of language structures in shaping meaning and emotional outcomes.
“That follow’d it as gentle day / Doth follow night”
The speaker compares the emotional shift to the natural transition from night to day.
Romanticism: This imagery emphasizes the natural cycles of emotion, aligning love with the harmony of nature.
“And saved my life, saying – ‘not you.'”
The final words of the lover bring relief and redemption to the speaker.
Psychoanalytic Theory: The resolution of the speaker’s fear of rejection suggests the restoration of emotional equilibrium, symbolizing a reconciliation of unconscious anxieties.
Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 145” by William Shakespeare
Stapleton, M. L. “Making the Woman of Him: Shakespeare’s Man Right Fair as Sonnet Lady.” Texas Studies in Literature and Language, vol. 46, no. 3, 2004, pp. 271–95. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40755414. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
KAMBASKOVIĆ-SAWERS, DANIJELA. “‘Three Themes in One, Which Wondrous Scope Affords’: Ambiguous Speaker and Storytelling in Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnets.’” Criticism, vol. 49, no. 3, 2007, pp. 285–305. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23130898. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
Cheney, Patrick. “‘O, Let My Books Be … Dumb Presagers’: Poetry and Theater in Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 52, no. 2, 2001, pp. 222–54. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3648668. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
