Essay on Love in Shakespeares Sonnet 138 - 702 Words

The Philosophy of Love in Sonnet 138 Shakespeare was a superb philosopher, but in his sonnets, he was a philosopher of love. Shakespeare sets forth the experiences of love and its torments fully within his sonnets. The philosophy of love is that, love reconciles all. Love is the evil and the good, the lies and the truth. Love is all there is. It passion as well as deception and lies. Sonnet 138, is a notable example of Shakespeares philosophy of love. Written as a dramatic monologue, this sonnet (also known as song) is a lyric. Like all sonnets, there are fourteen lines, with every four lines written as quatrains in a b a b format. The last two lines are known as a couplet. This sonnet has a†¦show more content†¦In the above six lines, the narrator is explaining the situation of the lies, as they are being shared between the two of them. At line 7, the narrator takes on a change of heart as he simply or foolishly places the responsibility of the lies on his companion. Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue (l. 7). The style of mirrored lines and thoughts, as show through the fist six lines changes at this moment. Yet, in line 8, He says that On both sides the ugly truth is suppressed. It appears that he is saying that although he gives her credit for maybe starting the lies in the first place, they are both currently in the position of the deceiver. Once again, in lines 10-11 we see another shift in thought as the narrator questions the reality of their love and the imposing lies. But wherefore says she not she is unjust? And wherefore say not I that I am old? He is asking himself why she doesnt tell him that she is unfaithful, and why does he not admit that he is old. In the lines following, he answers this question. Because loves best disguise is the pretence of truth, and older lovers do not like to have their age pointed out (l. 11-12). In Line 13, Therefore I lie with her and she with me, notice the double meaning of lie. The line can also be interpreted as That is why I sleep with her and she with me. In the end, the narrator concludes that the lies they tell each other help them forgetShow MoreRelatedIs Love An Unattainable Ideal? Essay1388 Words   |  6 PagesIs true love an unattainable ideal? Do we all have a soul mate? Is love just an exchange of lies for the purpose of flattery? These questions, and countless others, regarding love have been pondered by philosophers and pop music stars alike for hundreds of years. William Shakespeare examines these questions from two vantage points in â€Å"Sonnet 116† and â€Å"Sonnet 138.† Firstly, in â€Å"Sonnet 116†, Shakespeare analyzes love in a rhetorical manner, meaning that he is not discussing a specific relationshipRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Othello997 Words   |  4 Pageschooses to act around a certain group of people can be out of c ourteousness or his or her bad nature. 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