Poetry Response- Sonnet 2

Callie Huseman
Jernigan
English 4 AP
1 March 2011
Poetry Response
“Sonnet 138”
Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 138” is about a man who loves an unfaithful woman. It is written in the traditional Shakespearian sonnet format. It consists of three quatrains and a couplet. Each of the sections of the poem allow the author to convey a different part of the main idea
In the first quatrain, Shakespeare talks about how his love lies to him, thinks that he is naïve, and he allows it. These lines allow the poet to establish the relationship between the speaker and his love, as well as begin a falsely romantic tone. This tone is similar to many of Shakespeare’s other love poems; however, the content of this one focuses on a much more negative aspect of love. It can be described as conflicted attraction or love.
The second quatrain is where Shakespeare sets up the idea that the speaker knows that the woman is unfaithful. He says “Simply I credit her false speaking tongue.” This line shows how he believes her, even when she thinks that he is young and naïve. Also, Shakespeare writes that the woman thinks that he is young, knowing that he is actually old. This shows the dysfunction in the relationship, where neither of them are actually sure who the other is.
The third quatrain develops the speaker by allowing him to question his own motives. The shift occurs with the ninth line in the sonnet. The speaker now questions his relationship and his reason for partaking in the lies. This crucial point shows the establishment that he lies to her (about his age) because he thinks it will make them both happier. The tone in this section is justified pondering.
The last couplet is the direct synopsis that ties up the poem. Shakespeare uses these two lines to show how the man and the woman lie to each other in order to hide their own faults. These two lines complete the poem, giving the sonnet closure.
Shakespeare writes the sonnet in this particular form because it allows him to split the poem into orderly parts that each convey a different content as well as tone.