# Sonnet CXLV explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The poet describes how his beloved's lips, made by Love itself, initially spoke the words 'I hate' to him, but upon seeing his suffering, her heart softened. She chided her tongue and transformed the phrase, adding 'not you' to save his life, turning hate into mercy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

The beloved's initial hate is transformed by love and mercy, saving the poet's life.

### Truth and Deception

The spoken word 'I hate' is altered to convey the opposite meaning, revealing a deeper truth of affection.

## Character check-ins

### Love

Personified as the creator of the beloved's lips.

## Key lines

> 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;

The lips created by Love itself spoke the words 'I hate' to me, who was pining for her.

_The poet emphasizes the divine origin of the beloved's lips and the pain caused by her initial rejection._

> “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;

She changed 'I hate' by adding an ending, like gentle day following night, which flees like a fiend from heaven to hell.

_The transformation of hate into mercy is compared to the natural and redemptive cycle of day replacing night._

> “I hate” from hate away she threw, And saved my life, saying “not you.”

She cast away the hate from 'I hate' and saved my life by saying 'not you.'

_The beloved's addition of 'not you' reverses the meaning, turning a death sentence into a life-saving declaration._

## Links

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