William Shakespeare‘s Sonnets are timeless masterpieces that delve deep into human emotion, exploring themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the passage of time. Among them, Sonnet 90 captures the pain of anticipated betrayal and the sorrow of inevitable loss. Written in the characteristic Shakespearean sonnet structure, this poem reflects the speaker’s vulnerability and a plea for mercy from their beloved.
In this article, we will analyze Sonnet 90, break down its structure and meaning, and examine its place in the larger context of Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 90
Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now;
Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross,
Join with the spite of fortune, make me bow,
And do not drop in for an after-loss:
Ah! do not, when my heart hath ‘scaped this sorrow,
Come in the rearward of a conquered woe;
Give not a windy night a rainy morrow,
To linger out a purposed overthrow.
If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last,
When other petty griefs have done their spite,
But in the onset come: so shall I taste
At first the very worst of fortune’s might;
And other strains of woe, which now seem woe,
Compared with loss of thee, will not seem so.
Structure of Sonnet 90
Shakespeare’s sonnets are famously composed in the Shakespearean sonnet form, also known as the English sonnet. This format consists of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
However, some scholars suggest that Sonnet 90 doesn’t strictly adhere to this form in every respect. The sonnet could have multiple interpretations depending on its length, rhythm, and style.
Thematic Analysis of Sonnet 90
The themes in Sonnet 90 revolve around heartbreak, vulnerability, and resignation to suffering.
1. Heartbreak and Anticipated Loss
The speaker anticipates a significant emotional blow from their beloved. The tone is one of sorrowful acceptance as they ask to be hated “now” rather than later, pleading for the beloved’s betrayal to come swiftly rather than being delayed. This reflects the pain of waiting and the speaker’s awareness of their precarious emotional state.
2. The Relationship Between Love and Suffering
The sonnet portrays love as a double-edged sword. While it brings joy, it also opens the speaker to profound pain. The plea to experience the worst “at first” demonstrates how the speaker views the potential loss of their beloved as the ultimate grief.
3. Inevitable Betrayal
There is a tone of resignation in the speaker’s voice, as they almost assume the betrayal is unavoidable. This reflects a lack of agency and control, showcasing the helplessness that accompanies unrequited or waning love.
4. The Futility of Other Sorrows
The speaker claims that no other grief compares to the loss of the beloved. This theme highlights the all-encompassing nature of love and its ability to overshadow other aspects of life. The speaker views other difficulties as trivial in comparison to losing their beloved.
Line-by-Line Breakdown
Lines 1-2
Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now; / Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross,
The speaker begins with a direct plea, asking their beloved to “hate” them immediately rather than prolong the inevitable. The world, already acting against them, serves as a metaphor for external hardships. The speaker wishes for this emotional blow to come when they are already enduring difficulties, suggesting that it might be easier to bear.
Lines 3-4
Join with the spite of fortune, make me bow, / And do not drop in for an after-loss:
The speaker invites their beloved to unite with “the spite of fortune,” personifying fate as an adversary. The phrase “make me bow” suggests complete submission to suffering. By “after-loss,” the speaker expresses dread at the possibility of additional pain after enduring their current woes.
Lines 5-6
Ah! do not, when my heart hath ‘scaped this sorrow, / Come in the rearward of a conquered woe;
Here, the speaker reveals their fear of delayed heartbreak. Once they have overcome their current sorrow, the arrival of betrayal from their beloved would feel like an ambush. “Rearward of a conquered woe” vividly illustrates the devastating impact of unexpected sorrow after hard-fought recovery.
Lines 7-8
Give not a windy night a rainy morrow, / To linger out a purposed overthrow.
The speaker uses imagery to describe their emotional state. A “windy night” symbolizes turbulence, while a “rainy morrow” adds the idea of lingering sadness. The juxtaposition emphasizes the speaker’s desire to avoid prolonged suffering. The phrase “purposed overthrow” suggests that the beloved’s departure feels inevitable, like a foregone conclusion.
Lines 9-10
If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last, / When other petty griefs have done their spite,
The speaker implores their beloved to leave early rather than adding to the accumulation of sorrows. The use of “petty griefs” shows the speaker’s perception of other hardships as minor compared to the prospect of losing their beloved.
Lines 11-12
But in the onset come: so shall I taste / At first the very worst of fortune’s might;
The speaker requests that the heartbreak occur immediately so that they can endure “the very worst” at once. This line reflects the speaker’s desire for closure, however painful, to avoid prolonged dread.
Lines 13-14
And other strains of woe, which now seem woe, / Compared with loss of thee, will not seem so.
In the closing couplet, the speaker asserts that all other hardships pale in comparison to the pain of losing their beloved. The wordplay on “strains of woe” suggests emotional burdens, which diminish in significance when juxtaposed with the ultimate sorrow of love lost.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 90 is a poignant exploration of love, heartbreak, and the anticipation of loss. Through its vivid imagery and emotional intensity, the sonnet captures the raw vulnerability of a heart bracing for inevitable betrayal. The speaker’s plea to face the worst of their beloved’s actions immediately rather than endure a delayed heartbreak underscores the universal human desire for closure.
