In William Shakespeare's sonnet number one hundred and forty-nine there is a
very clear case of unrequited love. In a somber tone he outlines the ways in
which he selflessly served his beloved only to be cruelly rejected. His
confusion about the relationship is apparent as he reflects upon his behavior
and feelings towards her. This poem appears to be written to bring closure to
the relationship, but it could be argued that this poem is one final effort to
win her affection. The first twelve lines of the poem are a questions proposed
by the poet to his beloved. The theme of these questions all lead back to his
absolute commitment to her. The questions show a pattern of pathetic and blind
devotion that is both sad and disheartening to the poet. Canst thou, O cruel,
say I love thee not, When I against myself with thee partake? In these two lines
Shakespeare is asking is she can deny his love for her when she knows that
aganist his better judgment, he always he takes her side. In doing this he gives
her total control over him. On the other hand, he is calling her ÒO cruelÓ
which indicates that he may now see through her uncaring ways. Similarly he goes
on to ask her:Do I not think on thee when I forgot Am of myself, all tyrant, for
thy sake? This question can be paraphrased to mean: ÒAm I not thinking of you
when I forget myself for your sake, tyrant as you are?Ó(Rowse 309) Here again
he asks her if she can deny his devotion even though she has acted terribly. The
fact that the poet can now see that she is treating him poorly and cruelly
indicates progress from where he claims to have been in the past. The poetÕs
level of devotion increases with the next line of questioning which confronts
his willingness to shun those whom she finds displeasing. Who hateth thee that I
do call my friend; On whom frown'st that I do fawn upon? From these questions it
becomes evident that his actions are not just for the ladyÕs sake, but also for
his own satisfaction. He asks her: Who hates you that I call my friend? This is
interesting because there is no indication that she has any interest in his
friends at all. In spite of this he continues to judge people by their opinion
of her. In addition to this he claims to give no favor to those whom she
dislikes for that very reason. From this it can be inferred that she is
everything to him and that he has no will of his own. It is this very point
which leads him into his next questions. Nay, if thou lourÕst on me, do I not
spend Revenge upon myself with present moan? What merit do I in myself
respectThat is so proud thy service to despise, When all my best doth worship
thy defect,Commanded by the motion of thine eyes. These six lines sum up much of
what he has been attempting to convey. He is asking her: DonÕt I show pain and
grief when you frown at me? Is there any part of me that I wouldnÕt give up for
you? DonÕt I worship your imperfections?(Rowse 309)He is making an argument
that he has never done anything to deserve the way that she has treated him, yet
he loves her wholly and unconditionally. The poet finds himself in a depressing
and desperate situation, and these questions convey his position perfectly. The
last two lines of this poem are quite ambiguous. In one sense they suggest an
acknowledgment that the relationship is finished, but on the other hand there is
that possibility that they are a different kind of attempt to please and
ultimately win that sloe affection of his beloved. But, love, hate on, for now I
know thy mind; Those that can see thou lovÕst, I am blind. There is a great
deal of irony in this statement because he is telling her to continue in her
cruel ways because he now understands what she wants. He perceives her
aspiration to be a man who will love her for thge person she is, not wholly and
blindly as he had the poet has loved her.(Rowse 309) The irony in this is that
if he now can see her faults and what she desires, then he is no longer blind.
Thus this poem is arguably another attempt to win her affection.

BibliographyRowse, A.L.. Shakespeare's Sonnets The Problems Solved. New York: Harper
& Row, 1964.