Poetry · Chapter
Sonnet CL explained
The poet marvels at the paradoxical power his beloved holds over him, making him love more intensely despite seeing just cause for hate, and concludes that his own unworthiness makes him more deserving of love.
What happens
The poet marvels at the paradoxical power his beloved holds over him, making him love more intensely despite seeing just cause for hate, and concludes that his own unworthiness makes him more deserving of love.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
The poet acknowledges that his love makes him deny true sight and swear against brightness, embracing what others abhor.
Love and Desire
The poet explores the irrational and self-contradictory nature of love, which grows stronger in the face of hateful qualities.
Characters to notice
- Love
The poet addresses the beloved, whose unworthiness paradoxically raises love in him.
Key passages
“O, from what power hast thou this powerful might With insufficiency my heart to sway?”
Where do you get the power to rule my heart with your very inadequacy?
The poet marvels at the beloved's ability to dominate his heart through flaws.
“To make me give the lie to my true sight, And swear that brightness doth not grace the day?”
You make me deny what I see clearly and claim that daylight lacks brilliance.
The beloved's influence causes the poet to contradict his own perceptions.
“Who taught thee how to make me love thee more The more I hear and see just cause of hate?”
Who taught you to make me love you more the more reason I have to hate you?
The poet questions the paradoxical dynamic where hateful qualities increase his love.
“If thy unworthiness raised love in me, More worthy I to be beloved of thee.”
If your lack of worth stirs love in me, then I am all the more deserving of your love.
The poet concludes that his own worthiness is proven by loving the unworthy.