Sonnet 58: That God Forbid, That Made Me First Your Slave
That god forbid, that made me first your slave,
I should in thought control your times of pleasure,
Or at your hand the account of hours to crave,
Being your vassal, bound to stay your leisure!
O! let me suffer, being at your beck,
The imprison’d absence of your liberty;
And patience, tame to sufferance, bide each check,
Without accusing you of injury.
Be where you list, your charter is so strong
That you yourself may privilege your time
To what you will; to you it doth belong
Yourself to pardon of self-doing crime.
I am to wait, though waiting so be hell,
Not blame your pleasure be it ill or well.
Line 1: That god forbid, that made me first your slave,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- God forbid: May it never happen.
- Made me first your slave: Created me as your servant.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker begins by expressing a strong wish (“god forbid”) that he should not try to control the beloved’s actions, since he is the beloved’s slave. This suggests that the speaker sees his role as one of complete submission and service.
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 has no right to question or control the beloved’s actions. The line sets up the central theme of the sonnet: the speaker’s acceptance of his subordinate role.
Line 2: I should in thought control your times of pleasure,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- In thought control: Attempt to influence or dictate.
- Times of pleasure: Moments of enjoyment or freedom.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he should not try to control or dictate the beloved’s “times of pleasure” (moments of enjoyment). This suggests that the speaker respects the beloved’s freedom and autonomy.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker has no right to interfere with the beloved’s freedom.
Line 3: Or at your hand the account of hours to crave,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- At your hand: From you.
- Account of hours: Explanation of how time is spent.
- Crave: Demand or request.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he should not demand an explanation (“account of hours”) from the beloved about how he spends his time. This suggests that the speaker accepts his role as a servant who has no right to question the beloved.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker has no right to question the beloved’s actions.
Line 4: Being your vassal, bound to stay your leisure!
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Vassal: A servant or subordinate.
- Bound: Obligated or tied.
- Stay your leisure: Wait for your free time.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker describes himself as the beloved’s “vassal” (servant), obligated to wait for the beloved’s free time (“stay your leisure”). This suggests that the speaker’s role is entirely defined by the beloved’s needs and desires.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s existence is defined by his service to the beloved.
Line 5: O! let me suffer, being at your beck,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Suffer: Endure or bear.
- At your beck: At your command or call.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker pleads to be allowed to suffer (“let me suffer”) while being at the beloved’s command (“at your beck”). This suggests that the speaker accepts the pain of his subordinate role as part of his devotion.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker is willing to endure suffering for the sake of the beloved.
Line 6: The imprison’d absence of your liberty;
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Imprison’d absence: The confinement of being apart.
- Liberty: Freedom or autonomy.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker describes his suffering as the “imprison’d absence” of the beloved’s freedom, meaning he feels confined by the beloved’s absence but accepts it as part of his role. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is unwavering, even in separation.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker is willing to endure separation for the sake of the beloved.
Line 7: And patience, tame to sufferance, bide each check,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Patience: Endurance or forbearance.
- Tame to sufferance: Subdued to endure suffering.
- Bide each check: Endure every rebuke or obstacle.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker describes his patience as “tame to sufferance,” meaning it is subdued and willing to endure suffering. He states that he will “bide each check” (endure every obstacle or rebuke) without complaint. This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is unwavering, even in the face of hardship.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker is willing to endure suffering for the sake of the beloved.
Line 8: Without accusing you of injury.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Accusing: Blaming or charging.
- Injury: Harm or wrongdoing.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that he will endure suffering without accusing the beloved of causing harm (“injury”). This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is free from blame or resentment.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering and free from blame.
Line 9: Be where you list, your charter is so strong
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Be where you list: Go wherever you wish.
- Charter: Right or privilege.
- Strong: Powerful or absolute.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker tells the beloved that he is free to go wherever he wishes (“be where you list”) because his “charter” (right or privilege) is so strong. This suggests that the beloved has complete freedom and autonomy.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the beloved’s freedom and autonomy. It reflects the speaker’s acceptance of his subordinate role and his respect for the beloved’s independence.
Line 10: That you yourself may privilege your time
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Privilege your time: Control or allocate your time as you wish.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that the beloved has the privilege to control his own time as he wishes. This suggests that the beloved’s freedom is absolute and unquestionable.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the beloved’s freedom and autonomy. It reflects the speaker’s acceptance of his subordinate role and his respect for the beloved’s independence.
Line 11: To what you will; to you it doth belong
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- To what you will: To do as you please.
- Doth belong: Belongs or is your right.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that the beloved has the right to do as he pleases (“to what you will”) and that this right belongs to him. This suggests that the beloved’s freedom is inherent and unquestionable.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the beloved’s freedom and autonomy. It reflects the speaker’s acceptance of his subordinate role and his respect for the beloved’s independence.
Line 12: Yourself to pardon of self-doing crime.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Pardon: Forgive or excuse.
- Self-doing crime: Actions that might be considered wrong.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that the beloved has the right to forgive himself for any actions that might be considered wrong (“self-doing crime”). This suggests that the beloved’s freedom includes the right to judge his own actions.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the beloved’s freedom and autonomy. It reflects the speaker’s acceptance of his subordinate role and his respect for the beloved’s independence.
Line 13: I am to wait, though waiting so be hell,
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Wait: Remain in expectation.
- Hell: Extreme suffering or torment.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker states that his role is to wait for the beloved, even if waiting feels like hell (extreme suffering). This suggests that the speaker’s devotion is unwavering, even in the face of immense pain.
Context:
This line reinforces the theme of the speaker’s unconditional devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker is willing to endure suffering for the sake of the beloved.
Line 14: Not blame your pleasure be it ill or well.
Difficult Words and Meanings:
- Blame: Criticize or find fault.
- Pleasure: Enjoyment or actions.
- Ill or well: Whether good or bad.
In-Depth Explanation:
The speaker concludes by stating that he will not blame the beloved’s actions (“pleasure”), whether they are good or bad (“ill or well”). 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 devotion and his acceptance of his subordinate role. It reflects the idea that the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering and free from blame, capturing the tension between devotion and self-sacrifice.
Summary of the Sonnet:
Sonnet 58 explores the theme of unconditional love and devotion. The speaker portrays himself as a servant to the beloved, entirely devoted to fulfilling the beloved’s desires and needs. He accepts his subordinate role without question, even if it means enduring suffering or separation. The speaker respects the beloved’s freedom and autonomy, refusing to blame or question his actions, no matter how they may affect him. 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 the speaker’s loyalty is unwavering and free from judgment, even in the face of immense pain.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 58
Summary
In Sonnet 58, the speaker continues the theme of servitude in love, lamenting his complete submission to the Fair Youth. He expresses his inability to question or control the youth’s actions, declaring himself as a vassal who must endure waiting, suffering, and neglect without complaint. The speaker grants the youth full freedom to do as he pleases, even if it means indulging in selfish pleasures. The youth’s autonomy is emphasized by the idea that he alone has the authority to “pardon” his own misdeeds.
The final couplet reinforces the speaker’s passive suffering—he must wait, even if it feels like hell, and must not criticize the youth’s actions, regardless of whether they are good or bad. This ultimate surrender highlights the extent of the speaker’s emotional dependency and the imbalance in their relationship.
Critical Analysis
1. Love as Servitude and Power Imbalance
- The sonnet continues the imagery of slavery from Sonnet 57, reinforcing the idea that love has placed the speaker in a subordinate role.
- Words like “slave,” “vassal,” “bound,” and “suffer” convey the speaker’s complete submission to the youth’s will.
- The speaker suggests that love has stripped him of agency, making him powerless to question or control the youth’s choices.
2. Endurance of Pain and Suffering in Love
- The speaker declares that he must “bide each check” (endure every slight or neglect) with patience.
- Love is portrayed as a condition in which suffering must be endured silently, reinforcing the idea of emotional self-sacrifice.
- The speaker’s attitude suggests that deep love can turn into masochism, where pain is accepted as part of devotion.
3. The Youth’s Absolute Freedom
- The speaker grants the youth full autonomy: “Be where you list, your charter is so strong.”
- The word “charter” suggests a kind of legal or divine right, as if the youth has a special privilege that allows him to act however he pleases.
- The youth even has the ability to “pardon” his own crimes, reinforcing his unchecked power in the relationship.
4. The Pain of Waiting
- The final couplet reveals the speaker’s inner torment: “I am to wait, though waiting so be hell.”
- The suffering of waiting for someone who may never fully return love is likened to hell.
- However, despite this agony, the speaker refuses to “blame” the youth, showing the extreme level of self-denial in his love.
Theme Analysis
1. Love as Bondage
- The sonnet portrays love as a form of enslavement, where the speaker must endure whatever the youth chooses to do.
- The imagery of servitude suggests a lack of reciprocity, with the speaker giving everything while receiving little in return.
2. Power and Autonomy in Love
- The youth is depicted as having complete freedom, while the speaker has none.
- This imbalance highlights the pain of unrequited or unequal love, where one person holds all the power.
3. The Self-Deception of Love
- The speaker refuses to hold the youth accountable for any wrongdoing, even going so far as to say the youth can “pardon” himself.
- This reflects how love can blind people to reality, making them accept mistreatment or neglect.
4. The Pain of Waiting and Uncertainty
- The poem emphasizes the agony of waiting for someone who is absent.
- Love, in this case, brings more pain than joy, yet the speaker cannot free himself from it.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor: Love as Slavery
- “That god forbid, that made me first your slave.”
- The speaker presents himself as enslaved by love, reinforcing the theme of power imbalance.
2. Legal and Political Imagery
- “Your charter is so strong.”
- The youth’s power is likened to a legal privilege, suggesting he is above accountability.
3. Irony: The Speaker’s Willing Subjugation
- The speaker acknowledges his suffering but does nothing to change it.
- The phrase “waiting so be hell” is particularly ironic because he recognizes his torment yet refuses to free himself.
4. Repetition: Emphasizing Subjugation
- Words like “suffer,” “bound,” “slave,” “vassal,” and “patience” reinforce the speaker’s lack of power.
Conclusion
Sonnet 58 is a poignant reflection on the power imbalance in love, portraying the speaker as utterly devoted to the Fair Youth, even to his own detriment. He grants the youth absolute freedom while resigning himself to passive suffering, waiting in torment yet refusing to blame or question his beloved. The poem’s themes of love as servitude, emotional self-denial, and the pain of waiting make it a powerful meditation on the darker aspects of devotion.
