The ShakespearienceAP Lit

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Sonnet 145- the “trivial” poem

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'.

Reflection

You may have noticed that this is the only one of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets that does not follow iambic pentameter. The new style in which it has been written is common for comical poetry; this fact has caused it to be considered a “trivial” poem. However, the entertaining- though sorrowful- tone of this poem and its altered meter make it one that stands out among the Sonnets to those that appreciate it. Shakespeare is, in this particular sonnet, telling the story of how his lover and he once had some dispute, where she came to edge of saying, “I hate you!” In short, the first two words were out of her mouth, but at those words alone Shakespeare realized that the woman for whom he “languished” meant a great deal more to him than this dispute. When she saw his sorry expression, Shakespeare says that “straight in her heart did mercy come”. In other words, she could not stand to see him so hurt, and instead of saying “I hate you!” she says, “I hate not you.” Why is this important? This poem highlights a theme that makes the poem seem even more “trivial” to critics: “Love conquers all.”

This is a scene that plays out every day. Have you ever had an argument with a loved one, and in your anger had a stinging remark that you knew would cut that person deep if you said it? In this poem, Shakespeare’s lover faces this exact dilemma. However, she does not say it. The love that they feel for one another overcomes their anger, and her soft answer chased away his misery as day chases away night. The romance here expands beyond the love a man has for a woman; It extends to the love that a sister can have for a brother, or a father for a daughter. This mercy and compassion can be- and should be- a part of our everyday life. 

Autumn Blalock

Sources:

http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/145

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Reading of Sonnet 111. Join the SHAKESPEARIENCE!!!

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Sonnet 111

O! for my sake do you with Fortune chide, The guilty goddess of my harmful deeds, That did not better for my life provide Than public means which public manners breeds. Thence comes it that my name receives a brand, 

 And almost thence my nature is subdued

To what it works in, like the dyer's hand:

Pity me, then, and wish I were renewed; Whilst, like a willing patient, I will drink Potions of eisel 'gainst my strong infection; No bitterness that I will bitter think, Nor double penance, to correct correction.   Pity me then, dear friend, and I assure ye,   Even that your pity is enough to cure me.

Reflection

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 111 does not revolve around love at the first reading. In this poem, Shakespeare is actually lamenting his misfortune, personifying Fortune as a “guilty goddess”- or the power at fault- for his actions and sad state. This can portray Shakespeare in one of two lights: a sad light where he is the innocent victim of fate, or a dark light where he is unaccountable and blames Fortune because it did not “better for [his] life provide.” Why would he consider himself so unfortunate, when he had a beautiful woman he wrote poems to and wrote plays that would later be called classics after his death? In the 17th century, playwrights were not looked upon with respect. Theater was a lazy, fanciful career, and to be chosen as one’s sole life purpose was just as choosing to be a fire-breathing dragon in Water World. It was more than eccentric- it was begging for ridicule. 

Shakespeare continues by calling to attention that ridicule when he states “Thence comes it that my name receives a brand, And almost thence my nature is subdued.” That “brand” is what he is labeled. Perhaps he was called an outcast? Or a weakling? Whatever the specifics, he He brings to light the depth of his sorrow by comparing it to an infection, for which he will drink his “potions of eisel”. However, he brings his poem around with a sweet save that he is known for. He mentions this friend three times. Once, he asks for their pity (line 8). The other two times, he dotes on his “dear friend”- once in the first line, and again in the last line. He praises his lover by saying that even this person’s pity could cure him. As the reader, we must see “pity” as significant because pity is not the usual romantic emotion that poets highlighted in their writing. Pity is not romantic at all. However, it was Shakespeare’s known style of writing to take something unorthodox and turn it into a love poem.

Sonnet 111 still resonates with readers today because of its themes of self-pity, ridiculed ambition, and desire for attention from a loved one. I found myself in this poem, because I, too, have felt labeled in my lifetime, and like Shakespeare I was unwilling to repent of who I was or argue with those who misunderstood me: (”Nor double penance, to correct correction”) This poem connects to the world and each generation with its heavy truth and clever romantic turnaround.

Autumn Blalock

Sources:

http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/131

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The motto of success!

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Welcome to the Shakespearience!

We are AP Literature Seniors and this is out project blog posts! They are all focused on the works of Shakespeare the poet.