Poem Analysis - Sonnet 58 That God Forbid That Made Me First Your Slave

An Overview of Surrender

Shakespeare's Sonnet 58, "That God Forbid, That Made Me First Your Slave," explores the complexities of devoted love and the speaker's complete subjugation to the beloved's will. The poem's tone is initially reverent and submissive, almost pleading, as the speaker insists on his unwavering obedience. There's a subtle undercurrent of suffering that simmers beneath the surface, but the speaker quickly suppresses any hint of resentment, emphasizing his willingness to endure anything for the sake of the relationship. The sonnet ultimately conveys a sense of resignation, a profound acceptance of his subservient role, however painful.

Love as Voluntary Servitude

One of the main themes explored in Sonnet 58 is love as voluntary servitude. The opening line establishes this idea immediately: "That god forbid, that made me first your slave." The speaker positions himself as a "vassal," bound by duty to his beloved's "leisure." This isn't a complaint, but rather a declaration of devotion. He emphasizes his acceptance of this role, willing to "suffer, being at your beck," highlighting the paradoxical nature of love as both liberating and confining. The poem suggests that true love, in the speaker's view, entails a complete surrender of one's own desires and needs to those of the beloved, even if it means enduring hardship.

The Prison of Absence

Another significant theme is the painful experience of absence. The speaker speaks of the "imprisoned absence of your liberty," suggesting that while the beloved is free to do as they please, the speaker is trapped in the pain of their separation. This imagery evokes a sense of confinement and longing. The speaker is not imprisoned physically, but by his own devotion and the beloved's absence. This absence becomes a kind of self-imposed punishment, a consequence of his love and loyalty. This section demonstrates a shift in tone. While he begins the poem trying to accept his role, the underlying pain of separation bubbles to the surface briefly.

The Power Dynamic and Forgiveness

The poem also subtly touches upon the theme of power dynamics and forgiveness within a relationship. The line "your charter is so strong / That you your self may privilage your time" emphasizes the beloved's freedom and authority. The speaker acknowledges that the beloved has the right to "pardon of self-doing crime," implying that the beloved is even free to act in ways that might be considered wrong. The speaker’s willingness to forgive, even before any transgression has occurred, further underlines his subservience and the imbalance of power within the relationship. Is the speaker's unwavering support a sign of true love or does it hint at an unhealthy power dynamic?

The Hell of Waiting

The concluding couplet crystallizes the poem's central message: "I am to wait, though waiting so be hell, / Not blame your pleasure, be it ill or well." The image of "waiting" is powerful, representing the speaker's passive acceptance of his fate. He acknowledges that this waiting is a form of "hell," yet he refuses to blame the beloved's "pleasure," regardless of whether it is "ill or well." This final statement reinforces the speaker's unwavering devotion and his commitment to enduring any suffering without complaint. The closing emphasizes the depth of the speaker's commitment, solidifying the poem's complex depiction of love as both a source of joy and a cause of profound suffering.