Poem Analysis - Sonnet 57 Being Your Slave What Should I Do But Tend

Introduction: A Portrait of Subservient Love

Shakespeare’s Sonnet 57 paints a stark picture of love as absolute subservience. The speaker is utterly consumed by his love for the addressee, positioning himself as a slave devoted solely to fulfilling the other’s desires. The poem's tone is initially one of resigned devotion, bordering on self-deprecation. There is a subtle shift towards the end, however, as the speaker, almost accusingly, points out the foolishness inherent in such blind adoration. The sonnet explores themes of love, dependency, and the potential for self-deception within relationships.

Theme: Love as Complete Surrender

One of the central themes is the complete surrender of the speaker's will to the object of his affection. The opening line, "Being your slave, what should I do but tend," immediately establishes this power dynamic. The speaker’s existence revolves entirely around the beloved’s "desire." He has "no precious time at all to spend" on his own pursuits; his life is suspended, waiting for the beloved's command. This complete submission is further emphasized by the lines, "Nor services to do, till you require," which highlights the speaker’s lack of autonomy and the way love can become a form of self-imposed servitude. It reveals the speaker has chosen to give up all personal freedoms to appease his beloved.

Theme: The Agony of Absence and Unquestioning Loyalty

The poem also deals with the pain of absence and the lengths to which the speaker goes to suppress any negative feelings. He "dare[s] not chide the world-without-end hour," suggesting a prolonged waiting period, and actively avoids bitterness when the beloved says "adieu." The speaker's loyalty is unwavering, even to the point of self-denial. He refuses to "question with my jealous thought" where his beloved might be or what they might be doing. The image of the "sad slave" thinking only of the beloved’s happiness further underscores the speaker’s internalized subjugation and his conscious choice to ignore any potentially painful truths.

Symbolism: Time and Servitude

The poem employs potent symbolism, particularly around the concepts of time and servitude. Time, presented as a "world-without-end hour," represents the speaker's agonizing wait and the perceived slowness of existence when separated from the beloved. This highlights the disparity between the speaker's perception of time when he is separated from his master and the beloved's freedom. The overarching symbol of "slave" is particularly significant. It signifies not just obedience but a complete loss of self. The speaker identifies so strongly with this role that it defines his entire being within the context of the relationship. The master/slave dynamic created here is a powerful symbol of imbalanced devotion. It might also be interpreted as Shakespeare questioning the speaker's sanity for taking on such a self-deprecating and unhealthy role.

Conclusion: The Paradox of Foolish Love

Sonnet 57 is a poignant exploration of love's capacity to both elevate and degrade. The speaker's unwavering devotion, while seemingly admirable, ultimately reveals a disturbing imbalance and a potential for self-deception. The final couplet, "So true a fool is love that in your will, / Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill," serves as a harsh indictment of the speaker's blind faith. Shakespeare subtly implies that such unquestioning adoration may be less a testament to the beloved's worth and more a reflection of the speaker's own foolishness and vulnerability. The poem forces the reader to confront the darker aspects of love, where passion can blur the lines between devotion and self-destruction, inviting introspection on the nature of healthy relationships.