Sonnet 90: Then Hate Me When Thou Wilt; If Ever, Now
Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now;
Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross,
Join with the spite of fortune, make me bow,
And do not drop in for an after-loss:
Ah! do not, when my heart hath ‘scaped this sorrow,
Come in the rearward of a conquered woe;
Give not a windy night a rainy morrow,
To linger out a purposed overthrow.
If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last,
When other petty griefs have done their spite,
But in the onset come: so shall I taste
At first the very worst of fortune’s might;
And other strains of woe, which now seem woe,
Compared with loss of thee, will not seem so.
Line 1:
“Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Wilt: Will or choose to.
Explanation:
The speaker begins by addressing the beloved, suggesting that if they ever choose to hate him, they should do it now, while he is already facing difficulties.
Context:
This line sets the tone for the sonnet, introducing the theme of the speaker’s vulnerability and his plea for the beloved to act decisively.
Line 2:
“Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Bent: Determined or inclined.
- Cross: Oppose or thwart.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that the world is already set against him, making this the ideal time for the beloved to add to his troubles.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s sense of being besieged by misfortune and his anticipation of further pain.
Line 3:
“Join with the spite of fortune, make me bow,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Spite of fortune: The malice or ill-will of fate.
- Bow: Submit or yield.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved should join forces with fate to bring him to his knees, emphasizing his sense of helplessness.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s resignation to his fate and his plea for the beloved to act decisively.
Line 4:
“And do not drop in for an after-loss:”
Difficult words meaning:
- Drop in: Add to or contribute.
- After-loss: A subsequent or additional loss.
Explanation:
The speaker urges the beloved not to add to his suffering later, but to act now while he is already in pain.
Context:
This line underscores the speaker’s desire for the beloved to act immediately, rather than prolonging his suffering.
Line 5:
“Ah! do not, when my heart hath ‘scaped this sorrow,”
Difficult words meaning:
- ‘Scaped: Escaped.
Explanation:
The speaker pleads with the beloved not to add to his sorrow after he has already endured and escaped it.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s fear of being hurt again after he has already recovered from previous pain.
Line 6:
“Come in the rearward of a conquered woe;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Rearward: The rear or aftermath.
- Conquered woe: Overcome sorrow.
Explanation:
The speaker asks the beloved not to attack him from behind after he has already overcome his sorrow, emphasizing his vulnerability.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s desire for the beloved to act decisively and not to prolong his suffering.
Line 7:
“Give not a windy night a rainy morrow,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Windy night: A stormy or troubled night.
- Rainy morrow: A gloomy or sorrowful tomorrow.
Explanation:
The speaker uses a metaphor to suggest that the beloved should not add to his troubles after he has already endured a difficult time.
Context:
This line emphasizes the speaker’s plea for the beloved to act now and not to prolong his suffering.
Line 8:
“To linger out a purposed overthrow.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Linger out: Prolong or drag out.
- Purposed overthrow: Intended defeat or downfall.
Explanation:
The speaker urges the beloved not to prolong his downfall, but to act decisively and bring it about quickly.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s desire for a swift and decisive end to his suffering, rather than a prolonged and painful one.
Line 9:
“If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Wilt: Will or choose to.
Explanation:
The speaker pleads with the beloved not to abandon him after all other misfortunes have already struck, but to do it now.
Context:
This line underscores the speaker’s desire for the beloved to act immediately, rather than adding to his suffering later.
Line 10:
“When other petty griefs have done their spite,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Petty griefs: Minor sorrows or troubles.
- Spite: Malice or ill-will.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved should not wait until all other minor troubles have already hurt him, but should act now.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s plea for the beloved to act decisively and not to prolong his suffering.
Line 11:
“But in the onset come: so shall I taste”
Difficult words meaning:
- Onset: Beginning or start.
Explanation:
The speaker urges the beloved to act at the beginning of his troubles, so that he can experience the worst of his suffering immediately.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s desire for a swift and decisive end to his suffering, rather than a prolonged and painful one.
Line 12:
“At first the very worst of fortune’s might;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Fortune’s might: The power or force of fate.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that by acting now, the beloved will allow him to experience the worst of his suffering at the outset, rather than prolonging it.
Context:
This line emphasizes the speaker’s plea for the beloved to act decisively and not to prolong his suffering.
Line 13:
“And other strains of woe, which now seem woe,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Strains of woe: Types or instances of sorrow.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges that other sorrows may seem significant now, but they will pale in comparison to the loss of the beloved.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s belief that the loss of the beloved will be the greatest sorrow he will ever experience.
Line 14:
“Compared with loss of thee, will not seem so.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Thee: You (the beloved).
Explanation:
The speaker concludes by stating that compared to the loss of the beloved, all other sorrows will seem insignificant.
Context:
This final line ties together the sonnet’s central theme: the speaker’s anticipation of the greatest sorrow he will ever experience—the loss of the beloved—and his plea for the beloved to act decisively and not to prolong his suffering.
Overall Summary:
In Sonnet 90, Shakespeare explores the themes of vulnerability, anticipation of loss, and the desire for decisive action. The speaker pleads with the beloved to act now if they ever plan to reject or hate him, rather than prolonging his suffering. He expresses his fear of being hurt again after he has already endured previous sorrows and emphasizes that the loss of the beloved will be the greatest pain he will ever experience. The sonnet reflects the speaker’s deep sense of vulnerability and his plea for the beloved to act swiftly and decisively, rather than adding to his prolonged suffering. It is a poignant meditation on the nature of love, loss, and the human desire for closure.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 90
Summary
In Sonnet 90, the speaker pleads with the Fair Youth to reject him now rather than delay the inevitable. He is already suffering due to life’s misfortunes, and he begs the youth not to prolong his agony by leaving him later when he has recovered from his current sorrows. Instead, he asks for the worst of his grief to come all at once, so that the pain of losing the youth will not be worsened by coming after other hardships.
The first quatrain opens with an urgent plea: “Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now.” The speaker acknowledges that he may one day be hated by the youth, but he would rather face it immediately, while he is already struggling with other misfortunes (“Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross”). If the youth is going to abandon him, he asks that it happen now, so it does not feel like an additional wound after his current struggles.
The second quatrain builds on this idea, using vivid imagery to express his dread of delayed pain. He compares emotional suffering to the unpredictable cruelty of nature: “Give not a windy night a rainy morrow.” This suggests that if sorrow must come, it should come all at once, not be prolonged over time. He does not want to experience grief in stages, fearing that it will only make his suffering worse.
The third quatrain shifts to an even stronger appeal: “If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last.” The speaker would rather be abandoned early, rather than after enduring a series of smaller pains. He urges the youth to leave him “in the onset,” so that he can face the worst suffering immediately and avoid the gradual build-up of despair.
In the closing couplet, the speaker expresses how deeply he fears the loss of the youth. He argues that the sorrows he is currently facing, which seem overwhelming now, will be insignificant compared to the pain of losing the youth (“And other strains of woe, which now seem woe, / Compared with loss of thee, will not seem so.”). This final statement cements the idea that his greatest fear is not general misfortune, but the personal devastation of being abandoned by his beloved.
Critical Analysis
1. The Psychological Need for Immediate Rejection
The speaker’s plea in Sonnet 90 reflects a common psychological response to anticipated heartbreak: the desire to face all suffering at once rather than endure it in increments. This reflects a preference for a quick and complete emotional devastation rather than a prolonged, drawn-out decline. The speaker does not want to endure multiple phases of grief; instead, he wants to face the worst first, so everything afterward seems less painful by comparison. This suggests an extreme emotional dependency on the youth, as the speaker cannot bear the thought of suffering a gradual loss.
2. The Power of Timing in Emotional Pain
Shakespeare masterfully explores the impact of timing in emotional experiences. The speaker acknowledges that heartbreak is inevitable, but he is deeply concerned with when it happens. He would rather experience complete devastation now than after a period of healing. This demonstrates how uncertainty and anticipation of pain can sometimes be worse than pain itself. The poem thus highlights the human tendency to fear prolonged suffering more than immediate agony.
3. Love as the Ultimate Pain
Throughout the sonnets, Shakespeare frequently portrays love as both a source of joy and profound suffering. Here, the speaker declares that the loss of the youth is the worst pain he can experience. No matter how much hardship he faces in life, nothing will compare to this ultimate heartbreak. This reinforces the idea that love is an all-consuming force, capable of overshadowing all other struggles.
4. The Imagery of Natural Disaster and Emotional Collapse
Shakespeare compares emotional turmoil to natural forces, such as storms and bad weather. The phrase “Give not a windy night a rainy morrow” is particularly striking—it conveys the unpredictability and cruelty of fate, suggesting that suffering should not be drawn out like a long, relentless storm. This imagery highlights the speaker’s desperation to avoid prolonged pain.
5. Fate, Fortune, and Despair
The speaker believes that fortune is already against him (“Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross”), which adds to the sense of overwhelming despair. In the sonnets, Shakespeare frequently contrasts personal love with larger, impersonal forces such as fate. Here, the speaker feels helpless against both—his suffering is inevitable, but he still pleads for it to unfold in the least painful way possible.
Theme Analysis
1. The Fear of Delayed Heartbreak
A major theme in Sonnet 90 is the speaker’s desperate wish to face heartbreak immediately rather than later. The anticipation of pain is often worse than the pain itself, and Shakespeare captures this psychological truth through the speaker’s urgent plea for immediate suffering.
2. Love as the Most Devastating Loss
The speaker suggests that all other forms of sorrow are minor compared to losing the youth. This reinforces a recurring theme in Shakespeare’s sonnets: love is not just an emotional attachment, but a defining aspect of existence. Without it, life itself loses meaning.
3. The Cruelty of Fate and Fortune
The speaker portrays himself as a victim of misfortune, emphasizing that the world is already against him. This adds to the dramatic tone of the poem—his suffering is not just personal but cosmic, as if the universe itself is conspiring against him.
4. Nature as a Metaphor for Emotional Turmoil
The comparison of sorrow to weather emphasizes the unpredictability and uncontrollable nature of emotions. Just as storms come without warning, so too does pain in love. The speaker hopes to control the timing of his heartbreak, even though he knows he cannot control the outcome.
Literary Devices
1. Apostrophe (Direct Address)
- “Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now;”
- The speaker directly addresses the youth, creating an intimate and urgent tone.
2. Imagery (Natural Disasters and Weather)
- “Give not a windy night a rainy morrow.”
- This metaphor compares emotional suffering to relentless storms, emphasizing the desire for a single moment of devastation rather than drawn-out misery.
3. Anaphora (Repetition of “Now”)
- “Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross, / Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross.”
- The repetition of “now” intensifies the urgency of the speaker’s plea.
4. Juxtaposition (Contrast Between Small and Great Sorrows)
- “And other strains of woe, which now seem woe, / Compared with loss of thee, will not seem so.”
- The speaker contrasts his current sorrows with the greater pain of losing the youth, making all other griefs appear insignificant.
5. Enjambment (Flowing from One Line to the Next)
- “If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last, / When other petty griefs have done their spite.”
- The thought spills over into the next line, mirroring the overwhelming emotions of the speaker.
Conclusion
Sonnet 90 is a deeply emotional and urgent plea for immediate rejection rather than prolonged suffering. Shakespeare captures the human fear of delayed heartbreak, showing how anticipation of loss can be just as painful as the loss itself. The poem’s vivid imagery, psychological depth, and emotional intensity make it one of the most poignant expressions of love’s power to devastate.
At its core, the sonnet conveys a paradox: the speaker knows that suffering is inevitable, yet he still tries to control the way it unfolds. His willingness to face the worst pain upfront speaks to the all-consuming nature of love, where even heartbreak must be carefully measured to minimize its impact.
