# LXI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The speaker lies awake at night, wondering if it is the beloved's will or spirit that keeps him from sleeping and spies on his deeds. He concludes that it is not the beloved's jealousy but his own love that keeps him vigilant, watching for the beloved who is far away and with others.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

The speaker's love for the beloved is so intense that it keeps him awake and vigilant.

### Truth and Deception

The speaker initially suspects the beloved's spirit of spying, but then realizes it is his own love that deceives his rest.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

The speaker of the sonnet, lying awake and reflecting on his love.

### Love

Personified as the speaker's own true love that keeps him awake.

## Key lines

> Is it thy will thy image should keep open My heavy eyelids to the weary night?

Do you intend for your image to keep my tired eyes open all night?

_The speaker questions whether the beloved's image is the cause of his sleeplessness._

> It is my love that keeps mine eye awake; Mine own true love that doth my rest defeat, To play the watchman ever for thy sake:

It is my own love that keeps me awake, my true love that ruins my rest, acting as a guard for you.

_The speaker realizes his own love, not the beloved's will, is the reason he cannot sleep._

## Links

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