William Shakespeare‘s Sonnet 110 stands as a poignant reflection of the poet‘s internal struggle and a deeply personal confession. Like many of his other sonnets, this poem reflects themes of love, self-awareness, and the complexities of human emotions. Sonnet 110, written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, consists of three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet. In this essay, I will analyze the structure and tone of the poem, followed by a detailed breakdown of each quatrain to illuminate Shakespeare’s underlying message and emotions.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 110
Alas, ’tis true, I have gone here and there
And made myself a motley to the view,
Gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,
Made old offenses 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 my heaven the best,
Even to thy pure and most most loving breast.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 110
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 110 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of 14 lines divided into three quatrains (four lines each) and a final rhymed couplet. This rhyme scheme—ABAB CDCD EFEF GG—creates a sense of rhythmic progression, leading the reader from the poet’s confession to his resolution.
The tone of the sonnet is a mixture of regret, self-reflection, and redemption. The speaker begins with an admission of past mistakes and unworthy behavior, invoking a sense of guilt and penitence. However, the tone evolves as the speaker seeks forgiveness and vows to renew his love with purity and commitment. Ultimately, the sonnet resolves in a reaffirmation of love, framed by the speaker’s plea for acceptance.
Analysis of Sonnet 110
Lines 1–4
“Alas, ’tis true, I have gone here and there
And made myself a motley to the view,
Gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,
Made old offenses of affections new.”
The first quatrain opens with a tone of regret and self-reproach. The phrase “Alas, ’tis true” immediately sets the speaker’s somber mood, acknowledging the reality of his past misdeeds. The line “I have gone here and there” suggests a sense of aimlessness, both physically and emotionally, symbolizing a disoriented journey through life or love. The phrase “made myself a motley to the view” likens the speaker’s actions to a jester’s garb—vivid but foolish, a public display of inconsistency and confusion. This indicates the speaker’s awareness that his actions have been out of place, like a fool in the court of love.
The next two lines—“Gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear / Made old offenses of affections new”—illustrate the poet’s self-inflicted wounds. The phrase “gored mine own thoughts” speaks to the emotional self-harm the speaker has caused through his misguided actions. To “sell cheap what is most dear” implies that the speaker has devalued his most cherished beliefs or feelings—likely love or trust—and acted with disregard for their worth. “Old offenses of affections new” indicates a repeated cycle of mistakes, implying that the speaker’s past transgressions have resurfaced in his behavior, suggesting a failure to learn or grow.
Lines 5–8
“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.”
In the second quatrain, the speaker deepens his confession by acknowledging that his perception of truth has been flawed. “I have looked on truth / Askance and strangely” reveals that the speaker has not confronted truth directly but has instead viewed it with suspicion or avoidance. The phrase “askance” suggests a sense of doubt or mistrust, while “strangely” conveys that the truth has been distorted in the speaker’s mind, perhaps because of emotional or mental confusion.
However, the speaker finds a glimmer of hope in his mistakes. He asserts, “these blenches gave my heart another youth,” indicating that, despite his faults, the errors in his ways have somehow rejuvenated his heart. The word “blenches” refers to mistakes or lapses in judgment. Through his wrongdoings, the speaker experiences a sort of emotional renewal, a second chance at understanding love. The final line of the quatrain, “And worse essays proved thee my best of love,” reveals that even through his failures and imperfect attempts (“worse essays”), the speaker has ultimately learned to value his lover as the truest object of his affection. The speaker is acknowledging that, paradoxically, it was only through his flaws that he came to truly appreciate his beloved.
Lines 9–12
“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.”
The third quatrain marks a turning point, as the speaker reflects on the resolution of his past mistakes. “Now all is done” implies that the speaker has finished his process of self-examination, and he is ready to move forward. The line “have what shall have no end” suggests the speaker’s desire for a love that is eternal, free from the mistakes and misgivings of the past.
In the following lines, “Mine appetite I never more will grind / On newer proof, to try an older friend,” the speaker makes a vow to no longer seek external validation or experiment with love. The phrase “appetite I never more will grind” conveys a sense of relinquishing selfish desires or the constant need for novelty, while “newer proof” suggests the search for new experiences or reassurance. The speaker resolves to “try an older friend,” meaning that he will focus on nurturing the existing, enduring love he has. By referring to love as a “god,” the speaker elevates it to a divine status, indicating its importance and sacredness in his life. The phrase “to whom I am confined” further implies a sense of devotion and surrender, suggesting that the speaker has chosen to wholly dedicate himself to his lover.
Lines 13–14
“Then give me welcome, next my heaven the best,
Even to thy pure and most most loving breast.”
The final rhymed couplet concludes the sonnet with a plea for acceptance and a reaffirmation of love. The speaker requests a “welcome” into his lover’s arms, positioning their love as the ultimate source of solace and comfort. The phrase “next my heaven the best” places the lover’s embrace as second only to the divine, underscoring the sanctity of the relationship. The repetition of “most” in “pure and most most loving breast” emphasizes the purity and depth of the speaker’s devotion, creating a sense of finality and absolute commitment.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 110 is a deeply personal expression of regret, self-awareness, and redemption. Through his reflections on past mistakes and a vow to focus on enduring love, the speaker moves from a place of guilt to one of renewal and devotion. Each quatrain builds upon the speaker’s emotional journey, moving from a recognition of his faults to a plea for forgiveness and acceptance. Ultimately, the sonnet reflects the idea that love, when confronted honestly, can offer a path to spiritual and emotional growth—something that endures despite the speaker’s past transgressions.
