Sonnet 138: When My Love Swears That She Is Made Of Truth
When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutor’d youth,
Unlearned in the world’s false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false speaking tongue:
On both sides thus is simple truth suppress’d.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O, love’s best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love loves not to have years told:
Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flatter’d be.
Line 1:
“When my love swears that she is made of truth,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Swears: Declares or promises solemnly.
- Made of truth: Completely honest or truthful.
Explanation:
The speaker begins by describing his beloved’s declaration of honesty. This line sets up the central tension of the sonnet: the contrast between her claims of truthfulness and the reality of her deceit.
Line 2:
“I do believe her, though I know she lies,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Believe: Accept as true.
- Lies: Speaks falsely.
Explanation:
The speaker admits that he chooses to believe his beloved’s lies, even though he knows they are false. This line introduces the theme of mutual deception and the comfort it provides in their relationship.
Line 3:
“That she might think me some untutor’d youth,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Untutor’d: Uneducated or inexperienced.
- Youth: A young person.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that his beloved’s lies allow her to see him as a naive and inexperienced young man. This line reveals his awareness of her deception and his willingness to play along.
Line 4:
“Unlearned in the world’s false subtleties.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Unlearned: Ignorant or unaware.
- False subtleties: Deceptive complexities or tricks.
Explanation:
The speaker implies that his beloved views him as someone unfamiliar with the deceptions of the world. This line further emphasizes the theme of mutual pretense and the comfort it provides.
Line 5:
“Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Vainly: Foolishly or without success.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges that he is deluding himself by believing that his beloved sees him as young. This line highlights the self-deception at the heart of their relationship.
Line 6:
“Although she knows my days are past the best,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Days are past the best: His youth is behind him.
Explanation:
The speaker admits that his beloved is aware of his age, even as he pretends to be young. This line underscores the mutual understanding and acceptance of their deceptions.
Line 7:
“Simply I credit her false speaking tongue:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Simply: Naively or unquestioningly.
- Credit: Believe or trust.
Explanation:
The speaker confesses that he naively believes his beloved’s lies. This line reinforces the theme of mutual deception and the comfort it provides in their relationship.
Line 8:
“On both sides thus is simple truth suppress’d.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Suppress’d: Hidden or concealed.
Explanation:
The speaker concludes that both he and his beloved are hiding the truth from each other. This line encapsulates the central theme of the sonnet: the mutual acceptance of deception as a way to maintain their relationship.
Line 9:
“But wherefore says she not she is unjust?”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Wherefore: Why.
- Unjust: Dishonest or unfaithful.
Explanation:
The speaker questions why his beloved does not admit her dishonesty. This line reflects his awareness of her deceit and his curiosity about her motivations.
Line 10:
“And wherefore say not I that I am old?”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Wherefore: Why.
Explanation:
The speaker also questions why he does not admit his age. This line highlights his self-awareness and the mutual nature of their deceptions.
Line 11:
“O, love’s best habit is in seeming trust,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Habit: Custom or practice.
- Seeming trust: Apparent honesty or trustworthiness.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the best practice in love is to maintain the appearance of trust, even when it is based on lies. This line underscores the theme of mutual deception as a foundation for their relationship.
Line 12:
“And age in love loves not to have years told:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Years told: Age revealed or acknowledged.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that older lovers prefer not to acknowledge their age. This line reflects the societal pressures and insecurities surrounding aging and love.
Line 13:
“Therefore I lie with her and she with me,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Lie: Deceive or engage in falsehood (with a possible double meaning of physical intimacy).
Explanation:
The speaker concludes that both he and his beloved deceive each other. This line encapsulates the central theme of the sonnet: the mutual acceptance of deception as a way to maintain their relationship.
Line 14:
“And in our faults by lies we flatter’d be.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Faults: Flaws or imperfections.
- Flatter’d: Praised or comforted.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges that their lies allow them to overlook each other’s flaws and find comfort in their relationship. This line provides a bittersweet conclusion to the sonnet, emphasizing the complexity of love and deception.
Overall Context and Themes:
Sonnet 138 explores the theme of mutual deception in a romantic relationship. The speaker and his beloved both choose to believe each other’s lies, finding comfort in their shared pretense. The sonnet delves into the complexities of love, aging, and the human desire for connection, even when it is based on falsehoods. The playful tone and clever wordplay (e.g., “lie” meaning both deception and physical intimacy) add depth to the poem, making it a nuanced exploration of love’s contradictions.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 138
Summary
In Sonnet 138, Shakespeare explores the mutual deception in his relationship with the Dark Lady. His mistress swears that she is honest, yet he knows she lies—perhaps about her faithfulness or sincerity. Despite this, he chooses to believe her falsehoods, not because he is truly deceived, but because he wants to maintain the illusion of youthful ignorance.
Similarly, his mistress pretends that he is still young, even though she knows he is aging. He plays along with her flattery, allowing himself to be fooled by her words, just as he lets her believe that he trusts her.
Ultimately, the poem suggests that both partners willingly engage in deception, because love thrives on illusion. Neither wants to confront the truth: she is unfaithful, and he is growing old. The final couplet delivers the playful but ironic twist—they “lie” together both physically (as lovers) and metaphorically (by telling lies to each other), using flattery to sustain their relationship.
Critical Analysis
This sonnet presents a skeptical and realistic view of love, in contrast to Shakespeare’s earlier idealistic sonnets about the Fair Youth. Here, love is not built on honesty but on mutual deception, where both parties flatter each other with comforting falsehoods rather than facing harsh truths.
The speaker’s self-awareness is key—he is not truly deceived by his mistress; rather, he chooses to accept her lies because it serves his own vanity. Similarly, she knows he is not young, but she allows him to pretend. Their relationship is, in many ways, a performance where both lovers play their roles to keep the illusion of romance alive.
The tone of the poem is ironic, wry, and even humorous, as Shakespeare acknowledges the absurdity of love’s self-deceptions. There is a sense that both lovers understand the game they are playing, and neither resents it—rather, they embrace the lies as part of love’s necessary illusions.
Theme Analysis
- Love as Deception
- The sonnet highlights the idea that love is not always based on truth, but often requires a degree of self-deception.
- Both the speaker and his mistress know they are lying to each other, but they willingly accept it.
- Aging and Vanity
- The speaker acknowledges that he is past his prime, but he enjoys the illusion that his mistress still sees him as young.
- Love, for him, becomes a way to escape aging, even if it is through flattery and falsehoods.
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- “Love’s best habit is in seeming trust” → True trust is not necessary in love; what matters is the illusion of trust.
- The sonnet suggests that in mature relationships, absolute honesty is not always desirable—sometimes, lies can sustain love better than truth.
- The Dual Meaning of “Lying”
- The poem plays on the double meaning of “lie”—both to deceive and to sleep together.
- This pun suggests that deception and physical intimacy are deeply intertwined in relationships.
Literary Devices
- Irony
- The speaker knows that his mistress lies, yet he chooses to believe her.
- He is not deceived, yet he allows himself to act as though he is, which is a classic example of dramatic irony.
- Wordplay (Pun on “Lie”)
- The final line:
- “Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flatter’d be.”
- “Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
- “Lie” means both to deceive and to sleep together.
- This clever wordplay reinforces the idea that love and deception go hand in hand.
- Personification
- “Love’s best habit is in seeming trust” → Love is personified as wearing a “habit” (a costume), suggesting that trust is merely an appearance, not a reality.
- Alliteration and Repetition
- The phrase “she with me / and me with she” creates a rhythmic balance, emphasizing their mutual deception and complicity.
- The repetition of “lie” drives home the pun’s dual meaning.
Conclusion
Sonnet 138 offers a cynical but witty take on love, arguing that mutual deception is sometimes necessary in relationships. The speaker and his mistress both know the truth but prefer the comfort of lies, using flattery and pretense to sustain their romance despite aging and infidelity.
The poem’s tone is ironic, self-aware, and even humorous, showing that Shakespeare is not condemning deception outright, but rather suggesting that a little dishonesty can be part of love’s charm. The pun on “lie” cleverly encapsulates the theme—love and deception are intimately linked.
Ultimately, Sonnet 138 presents a mature, realistic perspective: love is not always about truth and virtue—sometimes, it is about playing along with the beautiful lies that keep passion alive.
