Alas, ‘tis true I have gone here and there
And made myself a motley to the view,
Gored my own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,
Made old offences of affections new.
Most true it is that I have looked on truth
Askance and strangely; but, by all above,
These blenches gave my heart another youth,
And worse essays proved thee my best of love.
Now all is done, have what shall have no end!
Mine appetite, I never more will grind
On newer proof, to try an older friend,
A god in love, to whom I am confined.
Then give me welcome, next to my heaven the best,
Even to thy pure and most loving breast.
Welcome, aspiring poets and curious minds, to a journey into the heart of one of Shakespeare’s most introspective and heartfelt sonnets: Sonnet 110. This poem offers a profound exploration of human frailty, the search for true affection, and the ultimate triumph of enduring love. It is a powerful testament to the idea that sometimes, our missteps can lead us to a deeper appreciation of what truly matters. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning and the masterful artistry within this timeless piece.
Understanding Sonnet 110: A Concise Summary
Sonnet 110, first published in 1609 as part of Shakespeare’s renowned sequence addressed to the “Fair Youth,” stands as a poignant confession and a declaration of unwavering devotion. The poem’s central idea revolves around the speaker’s past wanderings and infidelities, which, paradoxically, ultimately served to reaffirm the unparalleled value of the beloved. It is a journey from regret to resolute commitment, making it a powerful exploration of love, repentance, and constancy.
The speaker openly admits to having “gone here and there,” engaging in superficial relationships and devaluing what was truly precious. He likens himself to a “motley,” a jester or fool, suggesting a past of frivolous behavior and a lack of seriousness in his affections. However, this confession is not one of despair, but rather a prelude to a profound realization. The speaker asserts that these “blenches,” or errors, unexpectedly revitalized his heart and proved the beloved to be his “best of love.” The poem culminates in a heartfelt vow to abandon all further superficial pursuits, dedicating himself entirely to the “older friend,” whom he elevates to the status of “a god in love.” This sonnet resonates deeply with readers because it captures the universal human experience of making mistakes, learning from them, and ultimately finding solace and truth in a genuine connection.
A Deep Dive into Sonnet 110: Unpacking Its Meaning
To truly appreciate Sonnet 110, let us explore its narrative progression and the speaker’s emotional journey, line by line.
The Confession of Past Errors (Quatrain 1)
The poem opens with a stark and immediate confession:
Alas, ‘tis true I have gone here and there
And made myself a motley to the view,
Gored my own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,
Made old offences of affections new.
The opening “Alas, ‘tis true” sets a tone of regret and self-awareness. The speaker admits to a history of wandering affections, having “gone here and there,” suggesting a lack of stability or fidelity. The powerful image of making “myself a motley to the view” paints the speaker as a fool or jester, someone who has acted superficially, perhaps for public amusement or without genuine depth. To “gored my own thoughts” implies self-inflicted wounds or internal conflict caused by these actions, while “sold cheap what is most dear” speaks to a devaluation of his own worth or the preciousness of true affection. The final line of this quatrain, “Made old offences of affections new,” suggests a pattern of repeating past mistakes or perhaps even finding new ways to err in matters of the heart.
The Paradoxical Revelation (Quatrain 2)
Following the confession, the speaker introduces a surprising turn:
Most true it is that I have looked on truth
Askance and strangely; but, by all above,
These blenches gave my heart another youth,
And worse essays proved thee my best of love.
Here, the speaker acknowledges having “looked on truth / Askance and strangely,” meaning he has viewed genuine love or honesty indirectly or with suspicion. However, a crucial shift occurs with the word “but.” The speaker reveals a profound paradox: his errors, his “blenches,” did not lead to ruin but instead “gave my heart another youth.” This suggests a renewal, a fresh perspective, or a rekindling of passion. Most importantly, these “worse essays,” his past misguided attempts at love, ultimately “proved thee my best of love.” This is a powerful statement, suggesting that through comparison and experience, the speaker came to understand the unparalleled value and superiority of the beloved’s affection.
The Vow of Constancy (Quatrain 3)
The poem’s “volta,” or turn, occurs with a resolute declaration:
Now all is done, have what shall have no end!
Mine appetite, I never more will grind
On newer proof, to try an older friend,
A god in love, to whom I am confined.
With “Now all is done,” the speaker signals an end to his past wanderings. He declares his intention to pursue “what shall have no end,” implying an eternal, unwavering love. The vivid image “Mine appetite, I never more will grind / On newer proof, to try an older friend” signifies a cessation of his restless search for new experiences or relationships. He will no longer test the loyalty or quality of his “older friend” by seeking out others. The beloved is elevated to “A god in love,” indicating a devotion that borders on worship, and to whom the speaker feels “confined,” not in a restrictive sense, but in a way that suggests a willing and complete surrender to this profound connection.
The Plea for Acceptance (Couplet)
The sonnet concludes with a tender plea for welcome and acceptance:
Then give me welcome, next to my heaven the best,
Even to thy pure and most loving breast.
The final couplet serves as a direct address to the beloved, seeking their acceptance after the speaker’s confession and renewed commitment. The beloved is described as “next to my heaven the best,” placing them in a position of ultimate importance, second only to divine salvation. The speaker longs for the comfort and purity of “thy pure and most loving breast,” a powerful image of solace, intimacy, and unconditional acceptance. This ending beautifully encapsulates the speaker’s journey from regret to a hopeful and devoted future.
Literary Devices in Sonnet 110: Crafting Meaning
Shakespeare masterfully employs a range of literary devices to convey the complex emotions and ideas within Sonnet 110. These devices enrich the poem’s texture and enhance its impact on the reader, making it a compelling piece for Sonnet 110 analysis.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds adds emphasis and creates a memorable effect. For example, in “made myself a motley,” the repeating ‘m’ sound highlights the speaker’s self-description. Other instances include “here and there,” “sold cheap,” “most dear,” and “worse essays proved.”
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a musical quality and emphasizes certain words. Notice the short ‘u’ sound in “Most true it is that I have looked on truth,” drawing attention to the theme of honesty. The long ‘e’ sound in “seek newer proof” also creates a subtle connection.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds within words, but not necessarily at the beginning. Consider the ‘s’ sound in “worse essays proved thee my best of love,” subtly linking the speaker’s past errors to his ultimate affection. Another example is the ‘d’ sound in “sold cheap what is most dear.”
- Imagery: Shakespeare uses vivid imagery to engage the reader’s senses and evoke strong emotions. The metaphor of the speaker as a “motley to the view” creates a visual image of foolishness and superficiality. The phrase “gored my own thoughts” evokes a visceral sense of self-inflicted pain. Similarly, the idea of “grinding / On newer proof” evokes a sense of relentless, perhaps weary, searching and dissatisfaction.
- Metaphor: Direct comparisons are used to deepen understanding. The speaker is a “motley” (a jester or fool), directly comparing his past self to a figure of entertainment and superficiality. The beloved is called “A god in love,” elevating their status to something divine and supreme. The act of “grind[ing] / On newer proof” is a metaphor for repeatedly testing or seeking out new experiences in love.
- Paradox: A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth. The most striking paradox in Sonnet 110 is found in the lines, “These blenches gave my heart another youth, / And worse essays proved thee my best of love.” The speaker’s errors and poor choices (“blenches,” “worse essays”) unexpectedly led to renewal (“another youth”) and a profound affirmation of true love, rather than leading to ruin. This highlights the transformative power of experience.
Poetic Devices in Sonnet 110: Structure and Sound
Beyond literary devices, Shakespeare skillfully utilizes various poetic devices to structure and enhance the musicality and meaning of Sonnet 110. Understanding these poetic devices in Sonnet 110 is key to a comprehensive Sonnet 110 analysis.
- Diction: The poem’s diction is formal and elevated, reflecting the conventions of the sonnet form and the lofty themes of love and repentance. Words like “motley,” “gored,” “askance,” “blenches,” and “confined” contribute to the poem’s sophisticated tone and precisely convey the speaker’s self-reproach and ultimate devotion. The choice of “god in love” elevates the beloved to a sacred status.
- Sonnet Form: Sonnet 110 adheres to the strict fourteen-line structure of a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. This form provides a framework for exploring complex emotions and ideas in a concise and impactful manner, typically presenting a problem or observation in the first twelve lines and a resolution or summary in the final couplet.
- Rhyme Scheme and End Rhyme: As a Shakespearean sonnet, Sonnet 110 follows a specific rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of end rhyme creates a sense of closure and musicality, guiding the reader through the poem’s argument. For instance, “there” rhymes with “dear” (A), and “view” rhymes with “new” (B) in the first quatrain. The final rhyming couplet (“best” and “breast”) provides a conclusive and emphatic ending to the speaker’s plea.
- Stanza Structure (Quatrains and Couplet): The poem is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The quatrains develop the speaker’s confession and the paradoxical realization, building the emotional argument. The concluding couplet offers a resolution, a plea for acceptance, and a powerful affirmation of love, often summarizing the poem’s central theme.
- Tone: The poem’s tone shifts throughout, reflecting the speaker’s emotional journey. It begins with a tone of remorseful confession and self-reproach in the opening quatrains. This then transitions to a tone of surprising revelation and justification in the second quatrain, before becoming resolute and devoted in the third quatrain. The final couplet adopts a hopeful and tender tone, expressing a plea for acceptance and unwavering commitment.
- Volta (Turn): The “volta,” or turn, is a crucial element in sonnets, marking a shift in thought or argument. In Sonnet 110, the volta typically occurs around line 9, with the phrase “Now all is done.” Here, the poem shifts from detailing the speaker’s past errors and their surprising outcome to expressing his renewed, unwavering commitment to his beloved. This transition marks a crucial point in the poem’s emotional and thematic development, moving from reflection to resolution.
Sonnet 110 is a masterful example of Shakespeare’s ability to explore the depths of human emotion and the complexities of love. Through its honest confession, paradoxical insights, and ultimate declaration of devotion, the poem reminds us that even through our imperfections, true love can be discovered, affirmed, and cherished. It is a timeless piece that continues to speak to the heart, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys of self-discovery and the enduring power of genuine affection. We hope this Sonnet 110 analysis has illuminated its profound beauty and meaning for you.