Sonnet 57: Being Your Slave What Should I Do But Tend
Being your slave what should I do but tend
Upon the hours, and times of your desire?
I have no precious time at all to spend;
Nor services to do, till you require.
Nor dare I chide the world without end hour,
Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,
Nor think the bitterness of absence sour,
When you have bid your servant once adieu;
Nor dare I question with my jealous thought
Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,
But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought
Save, where you are, how happy you make those.
So true a fool is love, that in your will,
Though you do anything, he thinks no ill.
Line 1: Being your slave what should I do but tend
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Being your slave: As your servant or subordinate.
- Tend: Attend or wait upon.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker begins by declaring himself the beloved’s slave, suggesting complete devotion and submission. He asks what else he should do but “tend” (attend or wait) upon the beloved’s needs and desires. This sets up the central theme of the sonnet: the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved.
Context:
This sonnet is part of Shakespeare’s sequence addressed to the “Fair Youth.” The speaker explores the theme of unconditional love and devotion, portraying himself as a servant who exists solely to fulfill the beloved’s desires. The line sets up the central metaphor of the speaker as a slave to the beloved.
Line 2: Upon the hours, and times of your desire?
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Hours, and times: Every moment.
- Desire: Wishes or needs.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker explains that his role is to attend to the beloved’s desires at all times (“hours, and times of your desire”). This suggests that the speaker’s life revolves entirely around the beloved’s needs.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s existence is defined by his service to the beloved.
Line 3: I have no precious time at all to spend;
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Precious time: Valuable or meaningful time.
- Spend: Use or pass.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he has no “precious time” to spend on himself, meaning his time is entirely dedicated to the beloved. This suggests that the speaker’s life is consumed by his devotion.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s time and energy are entirely focused on the beloved.
Line 4: Nor services to do, till you require.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Services: Acts of service or tasks.
- Require: Demand or request.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker explains that he has no tasks or services to perform until the beloved demands them. This suggests that the speaker’s role is entirely reactive, existing only to fulfill the beloved’s wishes.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s purpose is defined by the beloved’s needs.
Line 5: Nor dare I chide the world without end hour,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Chide: Scold or complain.
- World without end hour: Eternal or endless time.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he does not dare to complain about the endless hours he spends waiting for the beloved. This suggests that the speaker accepts his role without complaint, no matter how long he must wait.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s patience and loyalty are unwavering.
Line 6: Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Sovereign: Master or ruler.
- Watch the clock: Wait anxiously.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker describes himself as watching the clock for the beloved, whom he calls his “sovereign” (master). This suggests that the speaker’s life is consumed by waiting for the beloved’s commands or presence.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s existence is defined by his service to the beloved.
Line 7: Nor think the bitterness of absence sour,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Bitterness: Pain or sorrow.
- Absence: Separation.
- Sour: Unpleasant or painful.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he does not allow himself to dwell on the pain of separation (“bitterness of absence”) as something unpleasant (“sour”). This suggests that the speaker accepts the pain of separation as part of his devotion.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering, even in the face of hardship.
Line 8: When you have bid your servant once adieu;
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Bid: Said or commanded.
- Adieu: Goodbye or farewell.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker explains that even when the beloved has said goodbye (“bid your servant once adieu”), he does not allow himself to feel bitterness. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion remains steadfast, even in separation.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering, even in the face of separation.
Line 9: Nor dare I question with my jealous thought
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Question: Doubt or inquire.
- Jealous thought: Suspicious or anxious thoughts.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he does not dare to question or doubt the beloved’s actions with “jealous thought” (suspicious or anxious thoughts). This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is free from jealousy or mistrust.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering and free from doubt.
Line 10: Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Where you may be: The beloved’s location.
- Affairs suppose: Speculate about the beloved’s activities.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker explains that he does not speculate about where the beloved may be or what he may be doing. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is unconditional and free from suspicion.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering and free from doubt.
Line 11: But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Sad slave: A sorrowful servant.
- Think of nought: Think of nothing.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker describes himself as a “sad slave” who stays and thinks of nothing but the beloved. This suggests that the speaker’s thoughts and emotions are entirely consumed by his devotion.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s existence is defined by his service to the beloved.
Line 12: Save, where you are, how happy you make those.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Save: Except.
- Where you are: The beloved’s presence.
- Happy you make those: The joy the beloved brings to others.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he thinks only of where the beloved is and how happy he makes those around him. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is selfless and focused on the beloved’s happiness.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering and selfless.
Line 13: So true a fool is love, that in your will,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- True a fool: A genuinely foolish or devoted lover.
- Your will: The beloved’s desires or commands.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker describes love as a “true fool,” meaning that it is blindly devoted and unquestioning. He states that love accepts the beloved’s will without hesitation. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is unconditional and unwavering.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s total devotion and willingness to serve the beloved. It reflects the idea that love is blind and unquestioning in its loyalty.
Line 14: Though you do anything, he thinks no ill.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Do anything: Act in any way.
- Thinks no ill: Finds no fault or wrongdoing.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker concludes by stating that love (“he”) finds no fault or wrongdoing in the beloved’s actions, no matter what they may be. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is unconditional and free from judgment.
Context:
This line encapsulates the central theme of the sonnet: the speaker’s unconditional and unwavering devotion to the beloved. It reflects the idea that love is blind and unquestioning, accepting the beloved’s actions without judgment or doubt.
Summary of the Sonnet:
Sonnet 57 explores the theme of unconditional love and devotion. The speaker portrays himself as a slave to the beloved, entirely devoted to fulfilling the beloved’s desires and needs. He describes his life as consumed by waiting and service, with no time or energy left for himself. The speaker’s devotion is unwavering, even in the face of separation or the beloved’s absence. He does not question the beloved’s actions or whereabouts, nor does he allow himself to feel bitterness or jealousy. The sonnet reflects the speaker’s belief in the purity and selflessness of love, capturing the tension between devotion and self-sacrifice. The final lines underscore the idea that love is blind and unquestioning, accepting the beloved’s actions without judgment or doubt.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 57
Summary
In Sonnet 57, the speaker portrays himself as utterly subservient to the Fair Youth, likening himself to a devoted slave whose sole purpose is to wait upon his beloved’s whims. He expresses complete submission, declaring that he has no personal time or duties except to serve the youth whenever needed. The speaker does not resent waiting, nor does he question the youth’s actions, whereabouts, or affections, even if jealousy might tempt him to do so. Instead, he remains entirely fixated on the youth, content to know that others enjoy his presence. The final couplet reveals the depth of his emotional surrender: love makes him a “true fool,” so blinded by devotion that he cannot see any wrong in the youth’s actions, no matter what they may be.
Critical Analysis
Sonnet 57 explores themes of servitude in love, obsession, and emotional self-denial. The speaker presents himself as powerless under the youth’s influence, completely at the mercy of his beloved’s decisions and desires.
- The Speaker’s Self-Imposed Slavery
- The poem opens with a direct declaration of servitude: “Being your slave what should I do but tend / Upon the hours, and times of your desire?”
- The speaker’s identity revolves entirely around the youth, reinforcing a theme of unhealthy dependence.
- This exaggerated devotion, though seemingly sincere, also carries undertones of self-degradation.
- Loss of Autonomy and the Passage of Time
- The speaker’s life is dictated by the youth’s needs: “I have no precious time at all to spend; / Nor services to do, till you require.”
- He suggests that his existence is meaningless unless the youth commands his attention, portraying an extreme emotional dependence.
- The mention of watching the clock emphasizes his passive state—he is waiting, unable to act independently.
- Repression of Jealousy and Emotional Pain
- The speaker claims he does not allow himself to feel jealousy or resentment: “Nor think the bitterness of absence sour.”
- He refuses to question the youth’s whereabouts or activities, repressing his emotions to maintain an illusion of devotion.
- However, the phrase “jealous thought” suggests underlying feelings of insecurity, even if he refuses to acknowledge them.
- Idealization of the Youth and the Self-Deception of Love
- The final couplet delivers a bitter realization: love makes the speaker a “true fool.”
- “Though you do anything, he thinks no ill”—this implies that even if the youth is unfaithful, neglectful, or indifferent, the speaker refuses to acknowledge any wrongdoing.
- This highlights love’s power to blind and distort reality, leading to self-deception.
Theme Analysis
- Love as Servitude
- The speaker frames himself as a slave to the youth, emphasizing the extreme power imbalance in their relationship.
- His total submission raises questions about the nature of love: is it genuine devotion, or is it self-destructive?
- The Pain of Unrequited or Unbalanced Love
- The poem suggests that the speaker’s love is not reciprocated equally; he waits, but the youth moves freely.
- By suppressing jealousy and discomfort, the speaker reveals the pain of loving someone who does not offer the same level of commitment.
- Love as Self-Deception
- The phrase “so true a fool is love” captures the idea that love makes people blind to reality.
- The speaker refuses to see any faults in the youth, even though his actions may not be entirely honorable.
- This suggests that deep infatuation can lead to irrational justifications and denial of painful truths.
- The Passage of Time and Waiting in Love
- The speaker’s fixation on waiting (“watch the clock”) highlights the theme of time’s slow passage in the absence of a beloved.
- This reflects the universal experience of longing in love, where time seems to stretch endlessly when apart from the loved one.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: Love as Slavery
- “Being your slave what should I do but tend”
- The speaker equates love with servitude, emphasizing the power imbalance in the relationship.
- Personification: Love as a Fool
- “So true a fool is love”
- Love is given human qualities, portraying it as naïve and blind to the faults of the beloved.
- Alliteration: Reinforcing Emotional Devotion
- “Being your slave what should I do but tend” (repetition of “b” and “t” sounds)
- “So true a fool is love” (repetition of “t” and “f” sounds)
- These sounds emphasize the poem’s tone of resignation and helplessness.
- Irony: The Speaker’s Self-Denial
- The speaker insists he does not feel jealousy, yet his words betray deep emotional turmoil.
- His devotion appears noble, but it is also self-destructive, making his love seem more tragic than admirable.
- Repetition: The Speaker’s Fixation on the Beloved’s Actions
- “Nor dare I,” “Nor think,” “Nor services” (repetition of negation)
- This emphasizes how much the speaker denies himself—he refuses to feel, question, or act independently.
Conclusion
Sonnet 57 presents a painful meditation on love as servitude. The speaker is completely devoted to the youth, willing to wait endlessly and suppress any negative emotions, even jealousy. However, this devotion appears less like a noble act of love and more like a self-destructive obsession. The final lines expose love’s tendency to make people blind to reality, reinforcing the idea that deep infatuation often leads to self-deception. Shakespeare’s portrayal of love as both foolish and tragic makes this sonnet a powerful reflection on the imbalance that can exist in relationships.
