Sonnet 144: Two Loves I Have Of Comfort And Despair
Two loves I have of comfort and despair,
Which like two spirits do suggest me still:
The better angel is a man right fair,
The worser spirit a woman coloured ill.
To win me soon to hell, my female evil,
Tempteth my better angel from my side,
And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,
Wooing his purity with her foul pride.
And whether that my angel be turned fiend,
Suspect I may, yet not directly tell;
But being both from me, both to each friend,
I guess one angel in another’s hell:
Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt,
Till my bad angel fire my good one out.
Line 1:
“Two loves I have of comfort and despair,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Comfort: Solace or consolation.
- Despair: Hopelessness or anguish.
Explanation:
The speaker begins by introducing two loves: one that brings comfort and another that brings despair. This line sets up the central conflict of the sonnet, which explores the tension between these two opposing forces.
Line 2:
“Which like two spirits do suggest me still:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Spirits: Supernatural beings or influences.
- Suggest: Tempt or influence.
- Still: Constantly or always.
Explanation:
The speaker compares his two loves to spirits that constantly influence him. This line introduces the idea of an internal struggle between good and evil, comfort and despair.
Line 3:
“The better angel is a man right fair,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Better angel: The positive or virtuous influence.
- Right fair: Very handsome or morally upright.
Explanation:
The speaker identifies one love as a “better angel,” a man who represents goodness and virtue. This line establishes the dichotomy between the two loves, with the man symbolizing purity.
Line 4:
“The worser spirit a woman coloured ill.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Worser spirit: The negative or corrupting influence.
- Coloured ill: Having a bad appearance or nature.
Explanation:
The speaker describes the other love as a “worser spirit,” a woman who represents evil and corruption. This line completes the contrast between the two loves, with the woman symbolizing temptation and sin.
Line 5:
“To win me soon to hell, my female evil,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Win me soon to hell: Quickly lead me to damnation.
- Female evil: The woman who represents evil.
Explanation:
The speaker accuses the woman of trying to lead him to damnation. This line emphasizes the destructive nature of her influence and the danger she poses to his moral well-being.
Line 6:
“Tempteth my better angel from my side,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Tempteth: Tempts (archaic form).
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the woman is trying to corrupt the “better angel,” luring him away from the speaker’s side. This line highlights the conflict between the two loves and the threat posed by the woman.
Line 7:
“And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Corrupt: Turn to evil.
- Saint: The “better angel,” representing purity.
Explanation:
The speaker fears that the woman will turn the “better angel” into a devil, symbolizing the corruption of goodness by evil. This line underscores the destructive power of temptation.
Line 8:
“Wooing his purity with her foul pride.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Wooing: Tempting or seducing.
- Foul pride: Arrogance or sinful behavior.
Explanation:
The speaker describes how the woman uses her pride and sinful nature to seduce the “better angel.” This line emphasizes the manipulative and corrupting influence of the woman.
Line 9:
“And whether that my angel be turned fiend,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Fiend: Devil or evil spirit.
Explanation:
The speaker expresses doubt about whether the “better angel” has been corrupted. This line reflects his uncertainty and fear about the outcome of the conflict between the two loves.
Line 10:
“Suspect I may, yet not directly tell;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Suspect: Fear or believe.
- Directly tell: Clearly know.
Explanation:
The speaker admits that he suspects the “better angel” has been corrupted but cannot be certain. This line highlights his inner turmoil and the ambiguity of the situation.
Line 11:
“But being both from me, both to each friend,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Friend: Lover or companion.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that both the “better angel” and the “worser spirit” are now together and away from him. This line suggests that the two loves have formed a relationship, leaving the speaker isolated.
Line 12:
“I guess one angel in another’s hell:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Guess: Imagine or suspect.
- Hell: A state of torment or corruption.
Explanation:
The speaker imagines that the “better angel” is now trapped in the “hell” created by the “worser spirit.” This line reflects his fear that goodness has been overcome by evil.
Line 13:
“Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Ne’er: Never (archaic form).
- Doubt: Uncertainty or fear.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges that he will never know the truth and will remain in a state of doubt. This line emphasizes his emotional suffering and the unresolved nature of the conflict.
Line 14:
“Till my bad angel fire my good one out.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Fire: Drive out or destroy.
Explanation:
The speaker concludes by suggesting that the “bad angel” (the woman) will ultimately destroy the “good angel” (the man). This line reflects his pessimistic view of the outcome and the triumph of evil over good.
Overall Context and Themes:
Sonnet 144 explores the conflict between two loves: one representing comfort and virtue (the “better angel”) and the other representing despair and corruption (the “worser spirit”). The poem delves into themes of temptation, moral struggle, and the destructive power of evil. The speaker’s uncertainty and fear about the outcome reflect the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of resisting temptation. The sonnet’s vivid imagery and emotional intensity make it a powerful exploration of the battle between good and evil in the context of love.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 144
Summary
Sonnet 144 presents a moral and emotional conflict through an allegorical depiction of two loves—one representing comfort and goodness, the other despair and corruption. The speaker describes these as two spirits influencing him:
- The “better angel” is a “man right fair”—commonly interpreted as the Fair Youth, embodying purity and virtue.
- The “worser spirit” is “a woman coloured ill”—widely believed to be the Dark Lady, associated with temptation and sin.
The sonnet suggests that the Dark Lady attempts to seduce and corrupt the Fair Youth, leading to the speaker’s internal agony. However, the speaker does not know for sure if his “angel” (the Fair Youth) has been fully corrupted, though he deeply suspects it. The closing couplet hints that only if his “bad angel” (Dark Lady) fully possesses the Fair Youth, will he have confirmation of his worst fears.
Critical Analysis
This sonnet is one of the most openly revealing about Shakespeare’s love triangle. It lays out a moral and emotional struggle where the speaker is torn between idealized love (Fair Youth) and destructive desire (Dark Lady).
The tone is deeply conflicted—on one hand, the speaker still holds admiration for the Fair Youth, yet he suspects betrayal. On the other, he resents the Dark Lady, depicting her as a corrupting force leading him to despair.
The poem is also filled with sexual and religious connotations. The Fair Youth is portrayed as saintly, while the Dark Lady takes on a demonic, hellish role. The suggestion that she is wooing the Youth into her embrace implies a seduction that is both physical and moral.
However, the speaker is left in doubt—he does not know for certain if the betrayal has happened, but his deep suspicion torments him.
Theme Analysis
- The Conflict Between Good and Evil
- The sonnet frames love in moral and religious terms, setting up a battle between purity (the Fair Youth) and sin (the Dark Lady).
- The speaker views himself as caught in a struggle between these two influences, mirroring the Christian concept of angels and devils fighting for the human soul.
- Jealousy and Betrayal
- The speaker suspects that his two lovers have betrayed him, but he lacks proof, which leaves him in painful uncertainty.
- The phrase “Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt” suggests that the worst kind of suffering is not knowing the truth.
- The imagery of “one angel in another’s hell” implies that the Fair Youth may now be trapped in the Dark Lady’s corruption, possibly engaging in a romantic or sexual affair with her.
- The Corrupting Power of Lust
- The Dark Lady is described as a temptress leading others to moral ruin.
- The phrase “To win me soon to hell” suggests that the speaker sees himself as at risk of damnation, possibly due to his own lustful desires.
- This reinforces a theme seen in earlier sonnets (Sonnet 129, for example), where sexual desire is portrayed as both irresistible and destructive.
- Religious Symbolism and Morality
- The contrast between the “angel” and “devil” reflects Christian imagery, where goodness and sin battle for the soul.
- The idea that the Dark Lady may “fire” the Fair Youth out could refer to hellfire consuming purity, indicating moral downfall.
- This religious framework suggests that the speaker sees love not just as an emotional experience but as a spiritual trial.
Literary Devices
- Allegory (Angels vs. Devils)
- The sonnet uses a moral allegory, turning the Fair Youth into an angel and the Dark Lady into a demon.
- This abstracts their relationships into a cosmic struggle, elevating the personal drama into a battle of good vs. evil.
- Irony and Ambiguity
- The speaker never receives confirmation of the betrayal, yet he strongly suspects it, which creates dramatic irony—the audience may feel that his suspicions are justified.
- The line “Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt” reinforces the idea that the unknown can be more torturous than the truth.
- Metaphor (Hellfire and Corruption)
- The phrase “Till my bad angel fire my good one out” is a powerful metaphor for moral downfall.
- It suggests that the Dark Lady’s influence may consume the Fair Youth’s goodness, much like fire consumes purity.
- Paradox (“One angel in another’s hell”)
- This paradoxical phrase suggests that someone who was once pure is now trapped in sin, reinforcing the theme of corruption and moral ambiguity.
- Repetition of “Angel” and “Devil” Imagery
- This repetition emphasizes the struggle between virtue and sin, making the poem feel like a spiritual battle rather than just a love triangle.
Conclusion
Sonnet 144 is one of Shakespeare’s most explicitly conflicted poems, blending religious imagery, jealousy, and moral struggle into a deeply personal lament. The Fair Youth represents purity and comfort, while the Dark Lady embodies temptation and despair. The speaker is caught in a battle between these two forces, fearing that his beloved Youth has been seduced and corrupted.
The sonnet does not resolve its tension—the speaker remains in doubt, which makes the poem all the more tragic. In the end, Sonnet 144 suggests that love, lust, and betrayal are intertwined, and that moral corruption is an inevitable risk in the pursuit of passion.
