# Sonnet CV explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The poet defends his love against accusations of idolatry, asserting that his beloved is not an idol but a constant and wondrous excellence. He explains that his verse is confined to expressing the same three virtues—'Fair, kind, and true'—which have never before been united in one person.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The poet argues that his love is not idolatrous but true, as his beloved embodies the genuine virtues of 'Fair, kind, and true'.

### Art and Immortality

The poet's verse is confined to expressing the beloved's constant excellence, suggesting that art can immortalize virtue.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

The poet-speaker defends his constancy in love and verse.

### Love

Personified as the poet's constant affection.

## Key lines

> Let not my love be call’d idolatry, Nor my beloved as an idol show, Since all alike my songs and praises be To one, of one, still such, and ever so.

Do not accuse my love of being idolatrous, nor think of my beloved as an idol, because all my songs and praises are consistently directed to one person, describing the same qualities, always the same.

_The poet defends the constancy of his devotion._

> “Fair, kind, and true” is all my argument, “Fair, kind, and true” varying to other words; And in this change is my invention spent, Three themes in one, which wondrous scope affords.

My entire subject is 'Fair, kind, and true,' expressed in different words; my creativity is spent on this variation, combining three virtues into one person, which provides wonderful range.

_The poet explains his thematic focus and creative process._

## Links

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