Poem Analysis - Sonnet 62 Sin Of Self Love Possesseth All Mine Eye

Introduction: A Battle Between Vanity and Reality

Shakespeare's Sonnet 62 grapples with the complex emotions of self-love and the jarring realization of aging. The poem begins with an almost boastful tone, overflowing with self-admiration. However, this initial confidence crumbles as the speaker confronts his reflection, leading to a shift towards a more reflective and, ultimately, loving resolution. The sonnet explores the speaker's vanity before ultimately pivoting to reveal a love that transcends physical appearance.

Vanity's Grip: The Initial Embrace of Self-Adoration

The opening lines of the sonnet are dominated by the theme of overwhelming vanity. The speaker declares that “Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye, / And all my soul, and all my every part.” This is not a gentle affection, but a complete and utter domination. The use of the word "sin" is interesting, suggesting that the speaker understands this level of self-regard is perhaps morally problematic, yet he seems powerless to resist it. The imagery in lines 5-8 further develops this theme. The speaker believes “no face so gracious is as mine, / No shape so true,” and that he surpasses “all other in all worths.” This section reveals the speaker caught in a powerful, almost delusional, current of self-admiration.

The Mirror's Rebuke: Confronting Mortality

The sonnet takes a sharp turn with the introduction of the mirror in line 9: "But when my glass shows me myself indeed." This marks a pivotal moment of recognition. The speaker is confronted with a reality that shatters his previous illusions. The imagery here is stark and unflattering. He sees a face that is "Beated and chapped with tanned antiquity," a far cry from the "gracious" and "true" shape he previously imagined. The mirror symbolizes truth and the inevitable decay of time. The experience forces the speaker to acknowledge his mortality, and his self-love transforms to read "quite contrary," suggesting disgust. This moment of harsh self-assessment provides contrast to the poem's beginning.

Love's Transcendence: Beauty Beyond the Self

The final couplet offers a resolution that reframes the entire poem. The speaker declares, "'Tis thee, myself, that for my self I praise, / Painting my age with beauty of thy days." Here, "thee" is understood to be a beloved, likely the subject of other Shakespearean sonnets. It indicates that the speaker's initial self-praise was actually a reflection of his love for someone else. The beloved's beauty is projected onto the speaker, allowing him to see beauty in himself, even in his aging form. The image of "painting my age with beauty of thy days" is a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of love, suggesting that love can transcend the limitations of time and physical appearance. The poem is no longer just about self-love, but the way loving another allows him to be more forgiving with himself.

A Legacy of Affection: Summary and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Sonnet 62 is a complex exploration of vanity, mortality, and the power of love. The poem moves from an initial state of self-absorbed admiration to a humbling confrontation with aging, and finally to a recognition that his perceived beauty is actually a reflection of the beloved. The mirror acts as a pivotal symbol, forcing the speaker to confront the reality of time's passage. Ultimately, the sonnet suggests that true beauty lies not in superficial appearances but in the enduring power of love, a love that allows us to see beyond our own imperfections and find value and beauty in the connection with another.