Write the Substance and Explanation of the poem entitled When My Love.

Ans.

Substance of the Poem

The poet says that when his mistress swears that she is faithful and devoted to the sincere feelings of love for him (the poet), the poet does believe her, as he knows that she is telling a lie. In his opinion, she might think that he is an inexperienced youth and ignorant of all the deceit that exists in this materialistic world. She vainly thinks that he (the poet) is still young, though she knows that his glorious days of youth have gone. In this way both of them (the poet and his mistress) try to suppress the ugly truth. The poet thinks why she does not tell him that she is unfaithful and why he does not get ready to admit that he is old. He finds out the reason that in love, one assumes an attitude of truthfulness and the old people who are in love, hate to hear that someone should discuss their real age. Thus both of them lie to each other and thus cover up their faults.

Explanations

(1) When my love swears that she is made of truth

I do believe her, though I know she lies,

That she might think me some untutored youth

Unlearned in the world’s false subtleties.

Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young.

Although she knows days are past the best,

Reference to the Context: These lines have been extracted from the sonnet No. 138 entitled When My Love, written by William Shakespeare. It is said that Shakespeare has used the poem to discuss his frustrating relationship with a Dark Lady.

Here the poet emphasises the effects of age and the associated deterioration of beauty and its effect on a sexual or romantic relationship.

Explanation: The poet presents a psychological study of the mistress. Certainly she is still very much the poet’s mistress, but the poet is under no illusions about her character. According to the poet his lady-love swears that she is the incarnation of truth, faithfulness, devotion and honesty. In spite of knowing the reality and the falsehood, the poet believes her. Though the poet knows that his lady-love is absolutely telling a lie to flatter and console his feelings, he does not object it and he listens to her false and flattered words seriously. In fact, in the poet’s opinion, she has adopted wrong thinking about him. She thinks him ignorant, immature and impractical in the concern of worldly affairs. The poet says that she vainly calls him young because he is fully aware of the reality.

Critical Comments: The poet reveals both the nature of his relationship with the Dark Lady and the insecurities he has about growing older.

(2) Simply I credit her false speaking tongue;

On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.

But wherefore says she not she is unjust?

And wherefore say not I that I am old?

O love’s best habit is in seeming trust,

And age in love loves not t’ have years told.

Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,

And in our faults by lies we flattered be.

Reference to the Context: These lines reveal the nature of the poet’s relationship with the Dark Lady and the insecurities he has about growing Holder, have been extracted from the sonnet No. 138 entitled When My Love, written by William Shakespeare. He is still worthy of love despite his age.

Explanation: The poet presents a psychological study of the mistress that reveals her hypocrises. Certainly she is still very much the poet’s mistress, but the poet is under no illusions about her character. He too deceives and is comforted by knowing that he is no longer fooled by the woman. In a relationship without affection or trust, the two lovers agree to a relationship based on mutual deception. Both agree never to voice the truth about just how much their relationship is built on never-spoken truths. In this way on both sides there remains falsehood. The poet asks why she does not admit that she has not sincere and true feelings of love for him and why he does not tell her that he has grown old. The reason is that in love one assumes an attitude of truthfulness. The old lover does not want to be reminded of his age. In this way both of them lie to each other, and cover up their faults.

Critical Comments: The poet tells us about his relations with the lady which is completely lusty and unromantic.