Welcome, aspiring poets and curious minds, to a fascinating journey into the heart of one of William Shakespeare’s most intriguing sonnets. Today, we unravel the intricate dance of truth and deception in “Sonnet 138,” a poem that speaks volumes about human relationships and the stories we tell ourselves and others.
Let us begin by reading the poem itself, allowing its words to unfold before us.
When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearned in the world’s false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false speaking tongue:
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
Oh, love’s best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love loves not to have years told:
Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flattered be.
Unveiling Sonnet 138: A Summary and Central Idea
Sonnet 138 delves into the complex dynamics of a relationship built on mutual deception. The speaker, a man, acknowledges that his beloved lies to him, specifically about her faithfulness. Yet, he chooses to believe her, pretending to be a naive, inexperienced young man. In return, he knows she is aware of his advanced age, but he allows her to believe he is younger, suppressing the truth about his “days are past the best.”
The central idea of Sonnet 138 is that in certain intimate relationships, truth is willingly sacrificed for the sake of comfort, flattery, and the preservation of a desired illusion. Both partners engage in a silent agreement to deceive each other, finding a strange solace in their shared falsehoods. This poem is a profound exploration of self-deception, the nature of love, and the compromises people make to maintain connection.
A noteworthy aspect of this poem is its candid portrayal of a love that thrives not on absolute honesty, but on a delicate balance of accepted lies. It challenges conventional notions of truth in relationships, suggesting that sometimes, a comfortable illusion can be more desirable than a harsh reality. This sonnet is often considered part of Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady” sequence, a series of poems addressed to a mysterious, often morally ambiguous woman, adding another layer of intrigue to its themes.
An In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 138
To truly appreciate the genius of Shakespeare, let us dissect Sonnet 138, examining its structure, themes, and the masterful use of literary devices.
The Structure of a Shakespearean Sonnet
Sonnet 138 adheres to the classic Shakespearean sonnet form, a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter. This means each line typically contains ten syllables, alternating between unstressed and stressed beats, creating a rhythm similar to a heartbeat. The sonnet is structured into three quatrains, which are four-line stanzas, followed by a concluding two-line couplet. The rhyme scheme is consistently ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
- First Quatrain (Lines 1-4): The speaker reveals his awareness of his lover’s deceit, yet his willingness to accept it.
When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearned in the world’s false subtleties.Here, the speaker immediately establishes the central paradox: he “do believe her, though I know she lies.” His motivation is to appear as “some untutored youth,” suggesting his desire to be seen as innocent and easily fooled, perhaps to make his lover feel more powerful or less guilty.
- Second Quatrain (Lines 5-8): The speaker confesses his own part in the deception, acknowledging his age and his lover’s awareness of it.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false speaking tongue:
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.The phrase “vainly thinking that she thinks me young” highlights his self-deception. He knows she knows his true age, yet he persists in the charade. The line “On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed” explicitly states the mutual nature of their falsehoods, setting the stage for the poem’s resolution.
- Third Quatrain (Lines 9-12): The speaker questions why they both maintain the pretense, concluding that love prefers illusion over harsh reality.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
Oh, love’s best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love loves not to have years told:These rhetorical questions emphasize the deliberate choice to avoid truth. The powerful statement “love’s best habit is in seeming trust” suggests that the appearance of trust, even if false, is more comforting than confronting infidelity. Similarly, “age in love loves not to have years told” reveals the speaker’s vulnerability and vanity concerning his age.
- Concluding Couplet (Lines 13-14): The resolution, where the lovers find comfort and flattery in their shared lies.
Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flattered be.The final couplet provides a concise and impactful summary. The double meaning of “lie” is crucial here, referring both to telling falsehoods and to physically being together. They “lie with” each other in both senses, and through this mutual deception, they are “flattered.” Their faults are not exposed but rather smoothed over by their shared illusions.
Key Themes in Sonnet 138
Sonnet 138 explores several profound themes that resonate with readers across centuries.
- Deception and Self-Deception: This is the poem’s core. Both lovers knowingly engage in falsehoods. The speaker is aware his lover lies about her fidelity, and she is aware he lies about his age. More significantly, the speaker engages in self-deception by “vainly thinking that she thinks me young,” even though he knows she knows better. This mutual agreement to ignore reality creates a unique bond.
- The Nature of Love and Truth: The poem challenges the ideal of love as purely honest. It suggests that love, especially when complicated by age or infidelity, can sometimes thrive on illusion. The line “love’s best habit is in seeming trust” implies that the facade of trust is more beneficial to their relationship than the painful truth.
- Aging and Vanity: The speaker’s insecurity about his age is a significant motivator for his deception. He wants to appear as “some untutored youth” and acknowledges that “age in love loves not to have years told.” This theme highlights the human desire to cling to youth and the fear of being perceived as old or undesirable.
- Flattery and Comfort: The final line, “And in our faults by lies we flattered be,” encapsulates the strange comfort derived from their deception. By not confronting each other’s lies, they avoid uncomfortable truths and instead receive a form of flattery, maintaining a fragile peace in their relationship.
Literary Devices in Sonnet 138
Shakespeare’s masterful use of poetic and literary devices enriches Sonnet 138, adding layers of meaning and impact.
- Irony: The entire poem is steeped in dramatic irony. The speaker knows his lover lies, and she knows he lies, yet they both pretend otherwise. This creates a situation where the audience is privy to a truth that the characters within the poem are actively suppressing. The line “I do believe her, though I know she lies” is a prime example of this central irony.
- Paradox: A key paradox lies in the idea that their relationship is strengthened, or at least maintained, by their mutual dishonesty. The concluding couplet, “Therefore I lie with her and she with me, / And in our faults by lies we flattered be,” presents the paradoxical notion that falsehoods lead to a form of flattery and connection.
- Wordplay (Pun): The word “lie” in the final couplet is a brilliant example of a pun. It simultaneously refers to telling untruths and to physically being intimate. This double meaning perfectly encapsulates the poem’s themes of both verbal and physical deception within their relationship.
- Diction (Word Choice): Shakespeare uses relatively simple, direct language, which makes the complex psychological themes highly accessible. Words like “truth,” “lies,” “simple,” “vainly,” and “flattered” are carefully chosen to convey the speaker’s internal conflict and the nature of their relationship. The word “untutored” suggests a lack of worldly experience, which the speaker wishes to project.
- Rhetorical Questions: The third quatrain employs rhetorical questions: “But wherefore says she not she is unjust? / And wherefore say not I that I am old?” These questions are not meant to be answered but rather to highlight the deliberate choice of both parties to avoid confronting uncomfortable truths, emphasizing their mutual complicity.
- Metaphor: While not overtly visual, the phrase “she is made of truth” uses a metaphor to describe the lover’s sworn honesty, implying truth is her very essence, which the speaker immediately contradicts.
- Tone: The tone is confessional, intimate, and somewhat cynical, yet ultimately accepting. The speaker is not angry or heartbroken, but rather resigned to and even comfortable with the deceptive nature of his love. There is a sense of weary wisdom in his acceptance.
The Enduring Popularity of Sonnet 138
Sonnet 138 remains one of Shakespeare’s most popular and frequently analyzed sonnets for several compelling reasons. Its themes of deception, self-deception, and the complexities of love are universally relatable. Readers are drawn to its candid portrayal of human nature, where people often choose comforting illusions over harsh realities in their relationships.
The poem’s direct language and clear narrative make it accessible, even for those new to Shakespeare. It offers a profound psychological insight into the compromises made in love, particularly when age or infidelity are factors. The clever wordplay, especially the pun on “lie,” adds an intellectual delight that rewards careful reading. Its exploration of how we construct and maintain our identities, and the identities of those we love, continues to resonate deeply in contemporary society.
Conclusion
Sonnet 138 stands as a brilliant testament to Shakespeare’s unparalleled understanding of the human heart. It masterfully explores the intricate dance of truth and falsehood within an intimate relationship, revealing how mutual deception can sometimes serve as a strange foundation for love and comfort. Through its precise structure, insightful themes, and clever use of literary devices, the poem invites us to reflect on the nature of honesty, vanity, and the complex ways we navigate our deepest connections.
This sonnet reminds us that love is not always pristine and straightforward, but often a nuanced tapestry woven with threads of both truth and carefully constructed illusion. It continues to captivate and challenge readers, proving its timeless relevance in understanding the enduring complexities of human affection.