Poem Analysis - Sonnet 135 Whoever Hath Her Wish Thou Hast Thy Will

An Exploration of "Will" and Desire

Sonnet 135 is a playful yet poignant exploration of desire, rejection, and the many meanings of the word "will." The poem's tone is initially teasing and almost humorous, as the speaker acknowledges the object of their affection's abundance. However, underlying this wit is a clear sense of longing and frustration, shifting the mood towards a plea for acceptance. The poem's central conceit revolves around the multiple significations of "will," encompassing personal desire, a legal document, and, most explicitly, the name of the beloved, creating layers of meaning and complex wordplay. Ultimately, the speaker yearns to be included in the vastness of the beloved's life and affections.

The Power of "Will": A Central Theme

The central theme of the poem is undoubtedly desire and its unfulfilled potential. The repetition of "will" underscores the speaker's obsession and the object of affection's apparent indifference. The speaker is consumed by their own "will" – their longing – and frustrated by the beloved's abundant "Will," which simultaneously represents their name, their powerful desire, and their legal right to choose. The line, "Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy will," sets up this imbalance immediately. By emphasizing the disparity, the poem shows how unchecked desire can lead to feelings of exclusion and dissatisfaction. The speaker's "will" is seemingly insignificant in comparison to the powerful "Will" of the other.

Sea as Symbol of Boundless Desire

The image of the sea serves as a powerful symbol of boundless capacity and insatiable desire. The lines, "The sea, all water, yet receives rain still, / And in abundance addeth to his store," illustrate how the beloved, already rich in "will," can still accommodate more. The sea, vast and seemingly complete, nevertheless continues to absorb, suggesting that the beloved's heart and life, too, should be capable of accepting the speaker's "will." This metaphor emphasizes the speaker's plea not to be excluded, as even the fullest entity can still accommodate something new. The sea's acceptance of additional water is presented as a natural and expected phenomenon, highlighting the perceived unfairness of the beloved's rejection.

Lost in the Sea of Desire

Another important theme is exclusion. The speaker feels isolated and rejected because their desire ("will") isn't acknowledged or reciprocated. The lines, "Not once vouchsafe to hide my will in thine? / Shall will in others seem right gracious, / And in my will no fair acceptance shine?" directly express this feeling of being overlooked. The speaker is essentially asking why their desire is deemed unworthy compared to others. This questioning reveals a deep vulnerability and a longing for validation. The phrase "hide my will in thine" is particularly loaded, suggesting not just acceptance but also a desire for intimacy and merging of identities.

Ambiguity and Interpretation

The poem's closing lines, "Let no unkind, no fair beseechers kill, / Think all but one, and me in that one Will," leave room for interpretation. The speaker seems to be asking the beloved to see themself in every suitor, but to ultimately choose the speaker as the ultimate fulfillment of that desire ("one Will"). Alternatively, could "one Will" be interpreted as a surrender of individuality? Is the speaker asking to be completely absorbed into the beloved's identity, losing their own "will" in the process? The ambiguity of these lines underscores the complexities of desire and the lengths to which one might go to achieve it.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Sonnet 135 is a complex and engaging exploration of desire, rejection, and the power of language. Through the clever repetition and manipulation of the word "will," Shakespeare creates a poem that is both witty and deeply personal. The speaker's plea for acceptance, framed within the context of unrequited longing, resonates with the universal human experience of wanting to be seen and valued. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to capture the multifaceted nature of desire and the emotional turmoil that can arise when it remains unfulfilled.