Sonnet 145: Those Lips That Love’s Own Hand Did Make
Sonnet 145: Those Lips That Love’s Own Hand Did Make - meaning Summary
Hate Transformed Into Mercy
The speaker recounts a moment when a beloved’s lips uttered the phrase "I hate," causing him pain. Observing his distress, she softens, rebukes her own harsh tongue, and reshapes the phrase so that the hateful sound is followed by an ending that negates it. The poem traces a sudden emotional reversal: initial rejection becomes compassion, and the speaker’s despair is replaced by relief when the hated word is turned away.
Read Complete AnalysesThose lips that Love’s own hand did make Breathed forth the sound that said I hate To me that languished for her sake; But when she saw my woeful state, Straight in her heart did mercy come, Chiding that tongue that ever sweet Was used in giving gentle doom, And taught it thus anew to greet: I hate she altered with an end, That followed it as gentle day Doth follow night, who like a fiend From heaven to hell is flown away. I hate from hate away she threw, And saved my life, saying not you.
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