Sonnet 93: So Shall I Live, Supposing Thou Art True
So shall I live, supposing thou art true,
Like a deceived husband; so love’s face
May still seem love to me, though altered new;
Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place:
For there can live no hatred in thine eye,
Therefore in that I cannot know thy change.
In many’s looks, the false heart’s history
Is writ in moods, and frowns, and wrinkles strange.
But heaven in thy creation did decree
That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell;
Whate’er thy thoughts, or thy heart’s workings be,
Thy looks should nothing thence, but sweetness tell.
How like Eve’s apple doth thy beauty grow,
If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show.
Line 1:
“So shall I live, supposing thou art true,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Supposing: Assuming or believing.
- True: Faithful or loyal.
Explanation:
The speaker begins by stating that he will continue to live as if the beloved is faithful, even if there is a possibility that they are not.
Context:
This line sets the tone for the sonnet, introducing the theme of the speaker’s willingness to believe in the beloved’s loyalty, despite potential doubts.
Line 2:
“Like a deceived husband; so love’s face”
Difficult words meaning:
- Deceived husband: A husband who is unaware of his wife’s infidelity.
- Love’s face: The outward appearance of love.
Explanation:
The speaker compares himself to a deceived husband who continues to believe in the appearance of love, even if it is not genuine.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s awareness of the possibility of deception and his willingness to accept it for the sake of maintaining the appearance of love.
Line 3:
“May still seem love to me, though altered new;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Altered new: Changed or different.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that even if the beloved’s love has changed, it will still appear as love to him, as he chooses to believe in its authenticity.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s desire to maintain the illusion of love, even if it is no longer genuine.
Line 4:
“Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place:”
Difficult words meaning:
- Looks: Appearance or outward behavior.
- Heart in other place: Love or affection directed elsewhere.
Explanation:
The speaker acknowledges that the beloved’s outward appearance may suggest loyalty, while their heart may be elsewhere.
Context:
This line underscores the speaker’s awareness of the potential for deception and his willingness to accept it.
Line 5:
“For there can live no hatred in thine eye,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Hatred: Dislike or animosity.
- Thine eye: Your gaze or expression.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved’s eyes cannot show hatred, making it difficult for him to detect any change in their feelings.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s outward appearance will always seem loving, even if their feelings have changed.
Line 6:
“Therefore in that I cannot know thy change.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Know thy change: Detect your change in feelings.
Explanation:
The speaker admits that he cannot detect any change in the beloved’s feelings, as their outward appearance remains loving.
Context:
This line highlights the speaker’s vulnerability and his inability to discern the beloved’s true feelings.
Line 7:
“In many’s looks, the false heart’s history”
Difficult words meaning:
- False heart’s history: The story of deceit or infidelity.
Explanation:
The speaker notes that in many people, the signs of a deceitful heart are evident in their expressions and behavior.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s awareness of how deceit is often revealed through outward signs, contrasting with the beloved’s seemingly genuine appearance.
Line 8:
“Is writ in moods, and frowns, and wrinkles strange.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Writ: Written or evident.
- Wrinkles strange: Unusual or telling facial expressions.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that deceit is often revealed through changes in mood, frowns, and unusual facial expressions.
Context:
This line emphasizes the speaker’s belief that deceit is usually detectable, making the beloved’s apparent loyalty all the more confusing.
Line 9:
“But heaven in thy creation did decree”
Difficult words meaning:
- Decree: Ordain or command.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that heaven ordained that the beloved’s face should always appear loving, regardless of their true feelings.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s appearance is divinely designed to always seem loving, making it difficult to detect any deceit.
Line 10:
“That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Sweet love: Genuine and tender affection.
- Dwell: Reside or remain.
Explanation:
The speaker claims that the beloved’s face is designed to always show sweet love, regardless of their true feelings.
Context:
This line underscores the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s appearance is inherently loving, making it impossible to detect any change in their feelings.
Line 11:
“Whate’er thy thoughts, or thy heart’s workings be,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Heart’s workings: Inner feelings or emotions.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that no matter what the beloved is thinking or feeling, their outward appearance will always seem loving.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s appearance is a perfect mask, hiding their true feelings.
Line 12:
“Thy looks should nothing thence, but sweetness tell.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Thence: From there or from that.
- Sweetness: Kindness or affection.
Explanation:
The speaker claims that the beloved’s looks will always convey sweetness and affection, regardless of their true feelings.
Context:
This line emphasizes the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s appearance is a perfect disguise, making it impossible to detect any deceit.
Line 13:
“How like Eve’s apple doth thy beauty grow,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Eve’s apple: The forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing temptation and deceit.
Explanation:
The speaker compares the beloved’s beauty to Eve’s apple, suggesting that it is both alluring and potentially deceitful.
Context:
This line introduces a note of caution, as the speaker acknowledges the potential for the beloved’s beauty to be deceptive.
Line 14:
“If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Sweet virtue: Genuine goodness or morality.
- Answer not thy show: Does not match your outward appearance.
Explanation:
The speaker concludes by suggesting that if the beloved’s inner virtue does not match their outward appearance, their beauty is as deceptive as Eve’s apple.
Context:
This final line ties together the sonnet’s central theme: the speaker’s belief in the beloved’s outward appearance of love, but his awareness of the potential for deceit if their inner virtue does not match their outward show.
Overall Summary:
In Sonnet 93, Shakespeare explores the themes of love, appearance, and deception. The speaker expresses his willingness to believe in the beloved’s loyalty, even if there is a possibility of deceit. He compares himself to a deceived husband who continues to believe in the appearance of love, despite potential changes in the beloved’s feelings. The speaker acknowledges that the beloved’s outward appearance is designed to always seem loving, making it difficult to detect any deceit. However, he also introduces a note of caution, comparing the beloved’s beauty to Eve’s apple and suggesting that it may be deceptive if their inner virtue does not match their outward show. The sonnet is a poignant meditation on the nature of love and the potential for deception in outward appearances.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 93
Summary
In Sonnet 93, Shakespeare explores the theme of deception in love, questioning whether the beloved’s appearance of affection is genuine or merely a facade. The speaker resigns himself to living in a state of uncertainty, choosing to believe the beloved remains true, even if there is evidence to the contrary.
The first quatrain introduces the speaker’s dilemma:
- He declares that he will “live, supposing thou art true,” indicating a conscious decision to believe in the beloved’s fidelity despite doubts.
- This belief, however, may be akin to a “deceived husband”, one who does not realize he is being betrayed.
- The speaker acknowledges that the beloved’s outward appearance (“love’s face”) may still seem affectionate, even if his feelings have changed (“though altered new”).
- There is a possibility that the youth’s “looks with me” may remain warm and loving, while his “heart in other place” secretly belongs to someone else.
The second quatrain further explores the idea that deceit can often be detected in a person’s expression:
- The speaker notes that deceit in others is usually visible through facial expressions (“In many’s looks, the false heart’s history / Is writ in moods, and frowns, and wrinkles strange.”).
- However, he asserts that the Fair Youth is different—his beauty is so perfect that his face is incapable of revealing any dishonesty.
- “For there can live no hatred in thine eye,” suggests that the beloved’s outward appearance will never betray his inner thoughts.
The third quatrain shifts the focus to a divine perspective:
- The speaker claims that heaven itself “did decree” that love should always shine in the beloved’s face, no matter what he truly feels.
- This means that even if the youth harbors deceitful or unfaithful thoughts, his face will always appear sweet and loving (“Thy looks should nothing thence, but sweetness tell.”).
- This idea introduces a troubling paradox: the speaker can never truly know the youth’s heart, because his beauty prevents any betrayal from showing.
The final couplet delivers a striking comparison:
- The speaker likens the beloved to “Eve’s apple,” the biblical fruit that appeared beautiful and enticing but ultimately led to deception and downfall.
- The concluding line, “If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show,” suggests that if the youth’s inner virtue does not match his outward beauty, then he is as deceptive as the forbidden fruit.
Critical Analysis
1. Love and Self-Deception
The sonnet presents the speaker as someone who chooses to live in illusion. He acknowledges the possibility of betrayal but prefers to maintain the belief that the youth is faithful.
This introduces the theme of self-deception in love. The speaker understands that people’s faces often reveal their dishonesty, but the Fair Youth is an exception. His beauty is so flawless that it disguises any moral imperfections.
2. The Power and Danger of Beauty
Shakespeare emphasizes that the Fair Youth’s beauty is both a blessing and a curse.
- On the one hand, his face is eternally associated with love and sweetness.
- On the other, this very quality makes him dangerous—if he is false, his beauty will mask his deception.
This aligns with the Renaissance belief that outward appearance reflected inner virtue. However, Shakespeare challenges this idea by suggesting that beauty can be misleading.
3. Biblical Allusion: The Apple of Temptation
The comparison to Eve’s apple in the final couplet reinforces the theme of deceptive appearances.
- Just as the apple in the Garden of Eden seemed perfect but led to humankind’s downfall, the beloved’s beauty may be misleading.
- The speaker implies that his love for the youth might be based on illusion rather than truth.
This allusion also adds a moral dimension: is the youth’s beauty a form of temptation that leads others into emotional ruin?
4. The Loss of Certainty in Love
Earlier sonnets often portray love as something immortal and unshakable. However, in Sonnet 93, love becomes uncertain.
- The speaker does not know whether the youth is faithful or not.
- Unlike other people, whose “false heart’s history” is visible in their expressions, the Fair Youth remains an enigma.
- This introduces an unsettling idea: true deception is not when someone lies, but when their appearance prevents others from realizing the truth.
Theme Analysis
1. Appearance vs. Reality
The main theme of the poem is the contrast between outward appearance and inner reality.
- The speaker suggests that most people’s faces reflect their emotions, but the youth’s does not.
- This means that even if the youth is unfaithful, the speaker may never know.
- The poem explores the unsettling idea that beauty can hide corruption.
2. The Pain of Uncertainty in Love
The speaker struggles with the fact that he may never truly know the youth’s heart.
- This introduces the theme of uncertainty in love—how can one be sure of a lover’s feelings if their face remains constant?
- The speaker’s only choice is to assume the youth is true, even if he suspects otherwise.
- This reflects a painful reality: in love, we often rely on trust, but trust can be dangerous when appearances deceive.
3. Love as a Form of Self-Deception
The speaker chooses to believe the youth is faithful, even though he acknowledges the possibility of betrayal.
- This raises the question: is it better to know the truth and suffer or to live in blissful ignorance?
- Shakespeare presents love as something that blinds, making it difficult to see reality.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor: Love as a Deception
- “Like a deceived husband.”
- The speaker compares himself to a man who unknowingly suffers betrayal. This emphasizes love’s potential for self-delusion.
2. Irony: A Face That Never Changes
- The poem repeatedly suggests that the youth’s face will always reflect love, even if his heart is unfaithful.
- This is ironic because beauty, which is often seen as a sign of goodness, becomes a tool for deception.
3. Biblical Allusion: The Apple of Temptation
- “How like Eve’s apple doth thy beauty grow.”
- The youth is compared to the forbidden fruit—appealing and perfect on the outside but possibly corrupt within.
- This suggests that beauty can be dangerous when it hides the truth.
4. Enjambment: Uninterrupted Thought Flow
- “So shall I live, supposing thou art true, / Like a deceived husband; so love’s face / May still seem love to me, though altered new.”
- The lack of strong pauses mimics the speaker’s inner turmoil, as he tries to convince himself of the youth’s faithfulness.
5. Contrast: The Fair Youth vs. Other People
- “In many’s looks, the false heart’s history / Is writ in moods, and frowns, and wrinkles strange.”
- This suggests that most people’s faces reveal their inner truth.
- However, the Fair Youth is different—his beauty prevents the speaker from knowing his real emotions.
Conclusion
Sonnet 93 is a meditation on love, deception, and the power of beauty to mask inner truth. The speaker resigns himself to living in ignorance, choosing to believe in the youth’s faithfulness even while acknowledging the possibility of betrayal. The final allusion to Eve’s apple leaves an unsettling question: is the Fair Youth’s love genuine, or is his beauty merely a disguise for unfaithfulness?
This sonnet represents a turning point in Shakespeare’s sequence, where the speaker moves from blind adoration to a more troubled, uncertain perspective.
