Poetry · Chapter
Sonnet XXXV explained
The poet consoles the beloved for his wrongdoing, comparing human faults to natural imperfections, but then acknowledges his own complicity in excusing the beloved's sins, creating an internal conflict between love and hate.
What happens
The poet consoles the beloved for his wrongdoing, comparing human faults to natural imperfections, but then acknowledges his own complicity in excusing the beloved's sins, creating an internal conflict between love and hate.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
The poet deceives himself by authorizing the beloved's trespass with comparisons, excusing sins more than they deserve.
Lust and Morality
The beloved's 'sensual fault' is addressed, and the poet becomes an accessory to the theft of his own peace.
Characters to notice
- William Shakespeare
The speaker who wrestles with excusing the beloved's fault and admits his own corrupting role.
Key passages
“No more be grieved at that which thou hast done: Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud;”
Do not be upset by your mistake; even beautiful things have flaws.
The poet comforts the beloved by comparing his fault to natural imperfections.
“All men make faults, and even I in this, Authorizing thy trespass with compare,”
Everyone errs, and I am no exception, as I justify your wrongdoing by making comparisons.
The poet admits his own fault in excusing the beloved's sin.
“Such civil war is in my love and hate That I an accessary needs must be To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me.”
My love and hate are at war within me, forcing me to become an accomplice to the sweet thief who bitterly steals from me.
The poet describes his internal conflict and his role as an accessory to the beloved's betrayal.