# Sonnet 138 explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The speaker acknowledges the mutual deception in his relationship with his beloved, who lies about her fidelity while he pretends to believe her, both choosing to ignore their faults for the sake of love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The speaker knowingly accepts his lover's lies, highlighting the complex interplay of truth and falsehood in romantic relationships.

### Time and Mortality

The speaker's awareness of his own aging ('my years be past the best') underscores the theme of time's passage and its impact on love.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

The speaker who reflects on the lies and truths in his romantic relationship.

### Love

Personified as a force that accommodates deception and soothes age-related insecurities.

## Key lines

> When my love swears that she is made of truth, I do believe her, though I know she lies

When my beloved claims she is entirely faithful, I pretend to believe her even though I know she is deceiving me.

_The speaker consciously chooses to accept the lie to maintain the relationship._

> O, love's best habit is a soothing tongue, And age, in love, loves not to have years told.

The most effective behavior in love is to speak comfortingly, and older lovers dislike being reminded of their age.

_The speaker rationalizes deception as a necessary comfort in love, especially for those who are no longer young._

## Links

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