Sonnet 112: Your Love And Pity Doth Th’ Impression Fill
Your love and pity doth th’ impression fill
Which vulgar scandal stamped upon my brow;
For what care I who calls me well or ill,
So you o’er green my bad, my good allow?
You are my all the world, and I must strive
To know my shames and praises from your tongue;
None else to me, nor I to none alive,
That my steeled sense or changes right or wrong.
In so profound abysm I throw all care
Of others’ voices, that my adder’s sense
To critic and to flatt’rer stopped are.
Mark how with my neglect I do dispense:
You are so strongly in my purpose bred
That all the world besides methinks y’are dead.
Line 1:
“Your love and pity doth th’ impression fill”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Pity: Sympathy or compassion.
- Impression: A mark or stain, often metaphorical.
- Fill: Heal or erase.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The sonnet opens with the poet declaring that the beloved’s love and sympathy have healed the mark or stain left by public scandal. This suggests that the beloved’s support has helped the poet overcome the negative effects of public judgment and criticism.
The line sets the tone for the sonnet, which explores the transformative power of the beloved’s love and the poet’s indifference to the opinions of others.
Line 2:
“Which vulgar scandal stamped upon my brow;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Vulgar scandal: Common or public disgrace.
- Stamped: Marked or branded.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet describes how public scandal has left a mark on his reputation, suggesting that he has been judged and criticized by society. This reflects the idea that the poet feels victimized by public opinion and seeks solace in the beloved’s love.
The line reinforces the poet’s sense of vulnerability and his reliance on the beloved’s support.
Line 3:
“For what care I who calls me well or ill,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Calls me well or ill: Speaks well or ill of me.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that he does not care about the opinions of others, whether they speak well or ill of him. This suggests that the poet is indifferent to public judgment and values only the beloved’s opinion.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 4:
“So you o’er green my bad, my good allow?”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- O’er green: Cover or overshadow.
- Allow: Approve or accept.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet asks whether the beloved’s love can overshadow his faults and approve of his virtues, suggesting that the beloved’s opinion is the only one that matters to him. This reflects the idea that the poet seeks validation and acceptance only from the beloved.
The line reinforces the poet’s reliance on the beloved’s love and his indifference to the opinions of others.
Line 5:
“You are my all the world, and I must strive”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- All the world: Everything to the poet.
- Strive: Work hard or endeavor.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that the beloved is his entire world, and he must strive to understand his own worth through the beloved’s judgment. This suggests that the poet’s sense of self is deeply tied to the beloved’s opinion.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the transformative power of the beloved’s love and his reliance on their judgment.
Line 6:
“To know my shames and praises from your tongue;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Shames: Faults or mistakes.
- Praises: Virtues or merits.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet explains that he seeks to understand his faults and virtues through the beloved’s words, suggesting that the beloved’s judgment is the only one that matters to him. This reflects the idea that the poet’s sense of self is deeply tied to the beloved’s opinion.
The line reinforces the poet’s reliance on the beloved’s love and his indifference to the opinions of others.
Line 7:
“None else to me, nor I to none alive,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- None else: No one else.
- Nor I to none alive: I am indifferent to everyone else.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that no one else matters to him, and he is indifferent to everyone else. This suggests that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions or relationships.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 8:
“That my steeled sense or changes right or wrong.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Steeled sense: Firm or resolute mind.
- Changes: Alters or influences.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet asserts that his resolute mind is not influenced by the opinions of others, whether they are right or wrong. This suggests that the poet is steadfast in his devotion to the beloved and unaffected by external judgment.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 9:
“In so profound abysm I throw all care”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Profound abysm: Deep abyss or void.
- Throw all care: Cast away all concern.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that he casts away all concern for the opinions of others into a deep abyss, suggesting that he is completely indifferent to external judgment. This reflects the idea that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 10:
“Of others’ voices, that my adder’s sense”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Adder’s sense: The hearing of an adder (a snake), often thought to be deaf.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet compares his indifference to the opinions of others to the supposed deafness of an adder, suggesting that he is completely unaffected by external judgment. This reflects the idea that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 11:
“To critic and to flatt’rer stopped are.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Critic: Someone who judges or criticizes.
- Flatt’rer: Someone who flatters or praises insincerely.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that he is deaf to both critics and flatterers, suggesting that he is completely indifferent to external judgment, whether it is negative or positive. This reflects the idea that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 12:
“Mark how with my neglect I do dispense:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Mark: Notice or observe.
- Neglect: Indifference or disregard.
- Dispense: Distribute or deal out.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet asks the beloved to notice how he deals with his indifference to the opinions of others, suggesting that he is completely unaffected by external judgment. This reflects the idea that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 13:
“You are so strongly in my purpose bred”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Purpose bred: Deeply ingrained in my intentions.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that the beloved is so deeply ingrained in his intentions that they are the sole focus of his life. This suggests that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions or relationships.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Line 14:
“That all the world besides methinks y’are dead.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Methinks: It seems to me.
- Y’are dead: You are dead (the rest of the world is insignificant).
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The sonnet concludes with the poet declaring that the rest of the world seems dead to him, suggesting that the beloved is the only thing that matters in his life. This reflects the idea that the poet’s world revolves entirely around the beloved, and he values no other opinions or relationships.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and his rejection of external validation.
Summary of the Sonnet:
Sonnet 112 explores the transformative power of the beloved’s love and the poet’s indifference to the opinions of others. The poet declares that the beloved’s love and sympathy have healed the mark left by public scandal, and he is indifferent to the judgments of others. He asserts that the beloved is his entire world, and he values no other opinions or relationships. The poet compares his indifference to the opinions of others to the supposed deafness of an adder, suggesting that he is completely unaffected by external judgment. The sonnet concludes with the poet declaring that the rest of the world seems dead to him, as the beloved is the only thing that matters in his life. The sonnet reflects Shakespeare’s belief in the importance of the beloved’s love and the rejection of external validation.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 112
Summary
In Sonnet 112, Shakespeare expresses indifference to public opinion because his beloved’s love and pity are all that matter to him. He acknowledges that scandal has tainted his reputation, but his beloved’s approval outweighs all external criticism. He commits himself entirely to their judgment, disregarding the voices of others.
- First quatrain: His beloved’s love and pity erase the damage caused by scandal.
- Second quatrain: He considers his beloved’s opinion the only one that matters, rejecting praise or criticism from anyone else.
- Third quatrain: He deliberately ignores public opinion, comparing himself to an adder (a snake) that stops its ears to criticism and flattery.
- Final couplet: His beloved is so deeply embedded in his thoughts that the rest of the world seems dead to him.
Critical Analysis
1. The Power of Love to Overcome Scandal
- “Your love and pity doth th’ impression fill / Which vulgar scandal stamped upon my brow.”
- Shakespeare acknowledges that scandal has tarnished his reputation.
- However, his beloved’s love and compassion erase this damage, like a new imprint overwriting an old stamp.
- “For what care I who calls me well or ill, / So you o’er green my bad, my good allow?”
- He dismisses public opinion, caring only for his beloved’s judgment.
- The phrase “o’er green” suggests renewal and healing—their love restores his dignity.
2. Total Devotion to the Beloved’s Judgment
- “You are my all the world, and I must strive / To know my shames and praises from your tongue.”
- The beloved becomes his entire world, replacing society as the sole judge of his worth.
- He relinquishes his own perception of right and wrong, deferring entirely to their opinion.
- “None else to me, nor I to none alive, / That my steeled sense or changes right or wrong.”
- He has hardened himself (“steeled sense”) against external judgment.
- This suggests a sense of isolation, as he has cut himself off from society’s influence.
3. The Metaphor of the Adder (Snake)
- “In so profound abysm I throw all care / Of others’ voices, that my adder’s sense / To critic and to flatt’rer stopped are.”
- He compares himself to an adder (a type of snake) that deliberately stops its ears.
- This is a reference to the medieval belief that adders avoided danger by plugging their ears.
- By doing this, he ignores both criticism and flattery, showing his complete rejection of public perception.
4. The Final Declaration of Love’s Supremacy
- “Mark how with my neglect I do dispense: / You are so strongly in my purpose bred / That all the world besides methinks y’are dead.”
- He completely disregards the outside world.
- The final line intensifies this devotion—the rest of the world might as well be dead, because only his beloved matters.
- This is one of the strongest expressions of love in the Sonnets, showing a near-obsessive singularity of devotion.
Theme Analysis
1. The Rejection of Public Opinion
- The sonnet reflects Shakespeare’s frustration with reputation and gossip.
- He asserts that his beloved’s opinion is the only one that holds value.
- This could be a response to personal attacks on his profession or relationships.
2. The Power of Love to Redeem and Heal
- The beloved’s love and pity act as a cleansing force, erasing the marks of scandal.
- Love is presented as stronger than public perception, able to redefine identity and self-worth.
3. Total Devotion and Emotional Isolation
- The poet withdraws from society, committing himself entirely to his beloved.
- The final couplet suggests a radical emotional shift—only the beloved exists in his world.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor: The Stamping of Scandal
- “Which vulgar scandal stamped upon my brow.”
- The image of a stamp suggests a permanent mark of disgrace.
- His beloved’s love “fills” the impression, as if erasing and replacing the mark.
2. Hyperbole: The Death of the World
- “That all the world besides methinks y’are dead.”
- This is an exaggeration that emphasizes his absolute focus on his beloved.
3. Metaphor: The Adder’s Deafness
- “My adder’s sense to critic and to flatt’rer stopped are.”
- He compares himself to an adder, a snake believed to plug its ears against danger.
- This signifies his deliberate ignorance of public opinion.
4. Repetition of “You” and “Your”
- The sonnet is heavily centered on the beloved, reinforcing their dominance over his thoughts.
Conclusion
Sonnet 112 is a powerful declaration of devotion. Shakespeare rejects the world’s judgment, finding redemption in his beloved’s love and pity. The imagery of scandal, the deaf adder, and the death of the world reinforce his complete emotional isolation from society. This sonnet suggests a deep and personal crisis—whether due to scandal, criticism, or personal guilt, Shakespeare finds salvation only in the love of one person.
