# Sonnet CII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on how his love has grown stronger even though it appears weaker, and explains his silence as a deliberate choice to avoid satiating the beloved with constant praise, comparing himself to Philomel who sings only in spring.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The speaker argues that the outward appearance of weakened love is deceptive; true love is strengthened even when not loudly proclaimed.

### Art and Immortality

The speaker's deliberate silence is an artistic choice to preserve the freshness and delight of his song, reflecting on the craft of poetry.

## Character check-ins

### Philomela

Referenced as Philomel, whose seasonal singing is used as a metaphor for the speaker's poetic restraint.

### William Shakespeare

The speaker of the sonnet, reflecting on the nature of his love and his poetic silence.

## Key lines

> My love is strengthen’d, though more weak in seeming; I love not less, though less the show appear

My love has actually grown stronger, even though it appears weaker; I do not love you any less, even though I show it less.

_The speaker asserts that his love is deeper despite its less visible expression._

> That love is merchandized whose rich esteeming The owner’s tongue doth publish every where.

Love that is constantly proclaimed by its owner's voice is like a commodity being traded.

_The speaker criticizes those who boast of their love, implying that true love does not need public advertisement._

> As Philomel in summer’s front doth sing And stops her pipe in growth of riper days

Like the nightingale that sings at the beginning of summer but falls silent as the season matures.

_The speaker compares his poetic silence to the nightingale's seasonal song, suggesting a natural cycle of expression._

> Therefore like her I sometime hold my tongue, Because I would not dull you with my song.

So, like the nightingale, I sometimes remain silent, because I do not want to bore you with my constant singing.

_The speaker explains his silence as a considerate act to keep his poetry from becoming tiresome._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/cii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters