Sonnet
Introduction
Sonnet 35 appeals to me because of its meaningful message that there is something beautiful to be found in everything. I was initially drawn to line two, where the poet states, "Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud." Here the poet lists items typically seen as beautiful and mentions their lesser thought about ugly parts exemplifying the notion that their flaws don't take away from their beauty. This idea to love yourself and others despite perceived flaws resonates with me as it is something that I struggle with daily. Personally, I find it very easy to see all my imperfections, which tend to overshadow everything I like about myself. The poet does a great job of expressing how easy it is to see the negative side of yourself as he bashes himself for excusing his beloved's flaws by saying, "Myself corrupting, salving thy amiss." Overall, this sonnet expresses an impactful message that would benefit from being shared.
Sonnet 35
No more be grieved at that which thou hast done.
Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud;
Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun,
And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud.
All men make faults, and even I in this,
Authorizing thy trespass with compare,
Myself corrupting salving thy amiss,
Excusing thy sins more than thy sins are.
For to thy sensual fault I bring in sense—
Thy adverse party is thy advocate—
And ’gainst myself a lawful plea commence.
Such civil war is in my love and hate
That I an accessary needs must be
To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me.
Wix Media
Sonnet analysis
In Sonnet 35, Shakespeare uses imagery and personification to emphasize that imperfections can be found in everything and everyone. In line two, rather than making up excuses for the poet's beloved's indiscretions, Shakespeare justifies her actions by using imagery and listing items typically seen as beautiful and cites their not so pretty counterparts: "Roses have thorns and silver fountains mud." Shakespeare continues the list by personifying some of nature's most beautiful features, "clouds and eclipses," and states their negative attributes like how they "stain both moon and sun." Notice how Shakespeare uses "stain" rather than a more mundane word like "covers," further highlighting the adverse characteristics of such beautiful things. Later on, in line six, the poet includes himself in the list. The speaker expresses that he too is “corru[pt]” by "salving thy amiss," or in other words, by formulating this list of items intended to excuse his beloved's actions, he is conducting a misdeed, conveying that he is also not as perfect as he seems. Line four's imagery adds to this point and takes it one step further by mentioning the displeasing and stealthy "loathsome canker" and how they often decide to take residence in such harmonious things like the "sweetest bud." Thus creating the idea that we don't have complete control of our imperfections, and they can sneak up on us. Shakespeare portrayed how although we aren't always entirely to blame for our mistakes, we never will be and never were completely perfect.
Paraphrased Version
There’s no need to feel guilty about what you have done. Roses have thorns, and sparkling fountains have mud; clouds and eclipses are covered up by the moon and sun, and disgusting worms live in the prettiest flowers. All men have their faults, including myself, as I excuse your wrongdoing by comparing it to other bad things, I'm corrupting myself by defending your misdeed, excusing your sins with more sins than they even need. I'm making sense of your fault because it was just a physical urge - the person you hurt is your advocate - and I am pleading a case against myself. I can't decide between my love and hate so I can't resist helping you the sweet villain who often robs from me.