Poem Analysis - Sonnet 87 Farewell Thou Art Too Dear For My Possessing

An Act of Noble Release

Shakespeare's Sonnet 87 is a poignant farewell, delivered with a tone of melancholic resignation. The speaker relinquishes his hold on a beloved, recognizing his own unworthiness and the inherent value of the other person. The poem moves from an acceptance of loss to a deeper exploration of the reasons behind it, ultimately concluding with a wistful acknowledgment of the fleeting nature of their connection. There's a subtle shift from regret to a kind of understanding, even if tinged with sadness.

The Price of Love and Self-Worth

One of the central themes is the concept of worthiness in love. The speaker explicitly states, "Thou art too dear for my possessing," suggesting an imbalance in their relationship. He feels he lacks the qualities that would justify his being loved by someone so valuable. This theme is further explored through the image of "riches" and "deserving," implying a sense of inadequacy on the speaker's part. He questions his entitlement to such a "fair gift," highlighting his belief that the relationship was predicated on a misunderstanding of his true value.

The Freedom Charter

Another significant theme is the idea of freedom and release. The poem uses legalistic language, such as "charter," "releasing," "bonds," and "patent," to convey the formal nature of the speaker's relinquishment. The "charter of thy worth gives thee releasing" implies that the beloved's inherent value grants them freedom from the speaker's hold. Similarly, the speaker's "bonds" are "determinate," meaning they are concluded or finished. This legal imagery reinforces the idea that the speaker is not just letting go emotionally, but also formally acknowledging the other person's right to seek a more equitable match. He's drafting and signing emotional legal papers.

Dream and Reality - Illusion's Ephemeral Nature

The final key theme is the contrast between illusion and reality. The concluding couplet, "Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter, / In sleep a king, but waking no such matter," encapsulates the transient nature of their connection. The image of a dream suggests something beautiful but ultimately unreal. While the speaker may have felt like a "king" in their relationship, upon "waking" to reality, he recognizes that this perception was an illusion. This emphasizes the idea that their love was built on a foundation of misjudgment or misunderstanding, making its eventual dissolution inevitable.

Symbolism and Unanswered Questions

The poem employs several potent symbols. The "gift" represents the beloved's affection and commitment, but its return symbolizes the realization that the gift was given in error. The image of the "patent swerving" acts as symbolic and reinforces the sense that what he possessed was temporary and not rightfully his. The dream itself functions as a symbol of fleeting happiness, emphasizing the disparity between the imagined and the real. Does the speaker genuinely believe he is unworthy, or is this a self-deprecating act of love, a noble sacrifice to ensure the beloved's happiness? This question remains open for interpretation.

A Bitter-Sweet Resignation

In conclusion, Sonnet 87 is a deeply introspective exploration of love, worthiness, and the acceptance of loss. Through its themes of freedom, the contrast between illusion and reality, and the symbolic use of legal language, the poem conveys a complex mix of regret, understanding, and resignation. The speaker's act of relinquishing his hold on the beloved, while tinged with sadness, is presented as a noble act of self-awareness and a recognition of the beloved's inherent value. The poem leaves us pondering the fine line between self-deprecation and genuine humility in matters of the heart.