Poem Analysis - Sonnet 140 Be Wise As Thou Art Cruel Do Not Press

Introduction: A Plea for Compassion

Shakespeare's Sonnet 140 is a compelling plea from a speaker deeply wounded by a cruel lover. The poem begins with a direct address, urging the beloved to temper their cruelty with wisdom. There's a palpable sense of desperation, tinged with a hint of threat, as the speaker grapples with the pain and potential consequences of unrequited or, at least, unspoken love. The poem's tone shifts from pleading and almost bargaining to a more assertive stance, highlighting the speaker's fear of madness and the resulting slander.

The Perilous Edge of Despair: Exploring Love and Madness

One of the central themes is the precarious balance between love and madness. The speaker fears that despair, born from the lover's coldness, will drive him to madness ("For if I should despair, I should grow mad"). This isn't merely a fear for his own sanity, but also a strategic move to make the beloved aware of the repercussions of their actions. The poem suggests that unspoken love or unacknowledged affection can be as destructive as outright rejection, pushing the speaker to the brink of irrationality. This theme explores the vulnerability inherent in love and the power dynamics it creates.

The Cruel Beloved: Power and Manipulation

The theme of power and manipulation is evident in the relationship between the speaker and the beloved. The speaker directly addresses the beloved as "cruel," implying that the beloved is intentionally causing pain. The speaker’s plea ("Be wise as thou art cruel") suggests an imbalance of power. The speaker acknowledges the beloved's capacity for causing harm, simultaneously flattering them with an appeal to their wisdom. The speaker hopes to influence the beloved's behavior through a combination of veiled threat and gentle persuasion. The very act of writing the sonnet is a form of manipulation, an attempt to sway the beloved's heart.

Silence and Deception: The Danger of Untruth

The sonnet also explores the theme of silence and deception. The speaker wishes the beloved would at least feign affection ("love, to tell me so"), even if genuine love is absent. He draws a parallel to sick men who want to hear only good news from their doctors, even if it's untrue. This highlights the speaker's desire for comfort and relief from the pain of uncertainty. Furthermore, the fear of slander and being "belied" emphasizes the importance of truth, or at least the appearance of it, in maintaining social standing. The speaker fears being falsely accused due to his potential madness, and he doesn't want the beloved to suffer the same fate.

Eyes and Hearts: Contrasting Appearance and Reality

The closing couplet offers a striking image: "Bear thine eyes straight, though thy proud heart go wide." This imagery creates a contrast between outward appearance and inner feelings. The "eyes straight" suggest a controlled, perhaps deceptive, facade, while the "proud heart go wide" hints at unbridled emotions. The image implies that it is acceptable, even necessary, to conceal one's true feelings, especially if those feelings are "proud" or potentially harmful. Perhaps the speaker fears the beloved's pride might lead to further cruelty, so he urges them to maintain appearances, even if their heart is full of disdain. The contrast reinforces the theme of deception and the need to control one's emotions in a potentially hostile environment.

Conclusion: A Desperate Bargain for Sanity

Sonnet 140 is a powerful exploration of love, pain, and the fragile state of the human mind. The speaker's desperation resonates throughout the poem, as he attempts to negotiate a truce with a cruel lover to preserve his sanity and reputation. The sonnet serves as a reminder of the destructive potential of unspoken feelings and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect themselves from emotional and social ruin. It also offers a cynical insight into the nature of relationships, suggesting that even the pretense of affection can be preferable to the stark reality of unrequited love.