Sonnet 46: Mine Eye and Heart Are at a Mortal War
Sonnet 46: Mine Eye and Heart Are at a Mortal War - meaning Summary
Perception Versus Inner Love
Shakespeare presents a quarrel between eye and heart over how to possess a beloved. The poem treats the conflict as a judicial dispute: the eye claims the right to outward appearance, the heart insists on inward presence and love. A council of thoughts adjudicates, dividing possession so the eye keeps the beloved's visible form while the heart retains inner devotion. The resolution reconciles perception and feeling without erasing either claim.
Read Complete AnalysesMine eye and heart are at a mortal war How to divide the conquest of thy sight; Mine eye my heart thy picture’s sight would bar, My heart mine eye the freedom of that right, My heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie A closet never pierced with crystal eyes But the defendant doth that plea deny, And says in him thy fair appearance lies. To ‘cide this title is impanellèd A quest of thoughts, all tenants to the heart, And by their verdict is determinèd The clear eye’s moiety, and the dear heart’s part. As thus, mine eye’s due is thy outward part, And my heart’s right thy inward love of heart.
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