Poetry · Chapter
CXXXV explained
The speaker plays on the word 'will' to plead with the Dark Lady to accept his desire, arguing that since she already has many 'wills' (wishes, sexual partners, and perhaps the poet himself), she should not refuse his one 'will' but rather
What happens
The speaker plays on the word 'will' to plead with the Dark Lady to accept his desire, arguing that since she already has many 'wills' (wishes, sexual partners, and perhaps the poet himself), she should not refuse his one 'will' but rather add it to her abundance.
Themes in this chapter
Lust and Morality
The speaker's persistent plea for sexual union, framed through the pun on 'will,' highlights the tension between desire and moral restraint.
Truth and Deception
The speaker's rhetorical manipulation of the word 'will' blurs the line between honest request and seductive persuasion.
Characters to notice
- William Shakespeare
The speaker, punning on his own name 'Will' as he addresses the Dark Lady.
- Dark Lady
The addressee, whose 'will' (desire/consent) is sought by the speaker.
Key passages
“Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy 'Will,' And 'Will' to boot, and 'Will' in overplus;”
No matter what other women desire, you already have your Will—and extra Wills besides, more than enough.
The speaker asserts that the Dark Lady already possesses multiple 'Wills' (the poet, other lovers, or her own capricious desires).
“The sea, all water, yet receives rain still And in abundance addeth to his store; So thou, being rich in 'Will,' add to thy 'Will' One will of mine, to make thy large 'Will' more.”
The ocean, though already full of water, continues to accept rain and grows even larger; similarly, you, who are wealthy in Wills, should add my one will to yours, making your great Will even greater.
The speaker uses the metaphor of the sea to argue that the Dark Lady can accommodate his desire without loss, since she already has so much.