Poem Analysis - Sonnet 137 Thou Blind Fool Love What Dost Thou To Mine Eyes

Introduction: A Lover's Lament

Shakespeare's Sonnet 137 is a bitter exploration of love's power to deceive and distort perception. The speaker grapples with the frustrating disconnect between what his eyes see and what his heart knows to be true, a truth that is painful to acknowledge. The tone is accusatory, directed both at Love itself and at the speaker's own senses for their betrayal. While the poem maintains a consistent sense of self-reproach, there's an undercurrent of helplessness as the speaker acknowledges his inability to escape this self-imposed delusion.

The Theme of Deceptive Love: Blindness and Betrayal

The most prominent theme is the deceptive nature of love, specifically its capacity to blind individuals to the flaws of their beloved. The opening line, "Thou blind fool, Love, what dost thou to mine eyes," immediately establishes love as a force that actively impairs clear vision. This isn't simply a matter of overlooking imperfections; the speaker accuses his eyes of actively transforming "the worst to be" the "best." This theme is further developed through the extended metaphor of the "bay where all men ride," suggesting the beloved's promiscuity. The speaker knows this, yet his heart remains "tied" by "hooks" of love's fabrication. The poem uses the image of blindness and deception to portray the power of love to warp our perception of reality.

Beauty and Foulness: A Twisted Reality

The poem grapples with the complex interplay between beauty and ugliness, or rather, the speaker's distorted perception of these qualities. The lines "To put fair truth upon so foul a face?" encapsulate this conflict perfectly. The speaker is aware of the "foul" nature of the beloved, yet his eyes and heart conspire to overlay this truth with a false veneer of beauty. This suggests not just a superficial infatuation but a deeper self-deception, a willingness to ignore reality to maintain a desired illusion. The stark contrast between "fair truth" and "foul a face" creates a sense of internal turmoil and highlights the speaker's struggle to reconcile his feelings with his reason.

Imagery of Entrapment: Anchors and Hooks

The poem employs vivid imagery to convey the speaker's sense of entrapment within this deceptive love. The image of eyes "anchored in the bay where all men ride" suggests a lack of exclusivity and, more broadly, a sense of being stuck in a compromising situation. The "bay" symbolizes a place of common access, implying a lack of specialness or unique connection. Furthermore, the "hooks" forged by Love, to which the speaker's heart is tied, create a powerful image of bondage and lack of free will. These hooks suggest a deliberate and painful manipulation, highlighting the speaker's feeling of being victimized by his own emotions. Is the speaker truly a victim, or complicit in his own entrapment by choosing to remain "anchored" and "tied"?

Conclusion: The Plague of False Perception

In conclusion, Sonnet 137 is a poignant exploration of the self-deception that love can engender. The poem reveals a speaker tormented by the knowledge that his perception is skewed, yet powerless to correct it. The repeated references to the eyes and heart working in concert to perpetuate a false reality underscore the insidious nature of this emotional "plague." The poem's significance lies in its unflinching portrayal of love's ability to not only blind but to actively distort reality, leaving the individual trapped in a self-created illusion. The sonnet serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the perils of allowing emotions to override reason and judgment.