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Discuss the background of Sonnet 138.

It is one of the most famous of William Shakespeare’s sonnets and many people believe that Shakespeare was discussing his relationship with the Dark Lady, a common subject of many of his sonnets. Dark Lady’s exact identity is not known.

Discuss the other title—“When My Love Swears That She is Made of Truth”

Ask questions.

What do you think this title is portraying?
How do you think this title set up the rest of the poem?

This title is actually the first line of the poem so it will set the tone and the audience up for the rest of the poem.
Based upon Shakespeare’s background, his love is his mistress who is neither faithful to him nor her husband.

Read the poem out loud. (Ask someone in the class)

What is the gist of the poem?
Ask the class what their first impressions of the poem are.
Paraphrase:

When my mistress says she is faithful
I believe her even though I know she’s lying
That she thinks I am an inexperienced youth
And unaware of all the treachery that exists
And thinking that I am young
Even though she knows my good days are over
I accept her flattery about me
And now both of us have lied
Why won’t she admit her unfaithfulness?
Why won’t I admit that I am old?
The best disguise for love is to pretend that everything is true
Older people do not like discussing their age
That is why we lie to each other
And our lies help us forget our faults

There are two issues in this poem, the age of Shakespeare or the man “writing” the poem and the unfaithfulness of the mistress.
He accepts her lies because he doesn’t expect more from her.
He deceives her as well (by not admitting that he is old) and is happy that she can’t fool him and how she can’t be fooled by how young he tries to portray himself.
However, both already know the truth about the other—they just refuse to acknowledge it.
Their relationship lacks love and trust so instead their relationship is based on lies—both unconsciously agree to not admit the truth about how their relationship is built on lies.
In the lines “But wherefore says she not she is unjust? And wherefore say not I that I am old?”—the sentence construction identical and also similar in that both the poet and mistress lie when they know that the other knows the truth.
The theme of the last two lines is (ask someone) lust although it brings an element of ironic humor—the poet is fine with accepting the woman’s lies because he is flattered that she thinks he’s young although she knows he’s not and he accepts her lies about faithfulness although both are aware of her infidelity.
Neither wants to expose the other’s faults.
Therefore, the couple is together because of their intimate relationship and because they are accepting of each other’s lies (indicated by the pun on the word “lie” which has two different meanings—one having to do with the couple’s personal relationship and the other with their deceit).

What type of poem is it?

Sonnet: A poem composed of a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, of 14 lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged in Italian (Petrarchan) form or English (Shakespearean) form.
This poem is naturally Shakespearean form and will follow the rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG (3 quatrains followed by a couplet).

Identify the theme. (Ask the class)

Theme: Lust, deceit, time
The two don’t TRULY care for one another
His age is part of their issue—because he is old

Identify literary terms. (Ask class what literary terms they can identify throughout the poem).
Purpose, audience, and tone. (Ask the class first)

Tone: Cynical, ironic, last two lines are lustful

Cynical because both are lying—not a positive thing at all
Ironic—they stay together because of their lies and flattery but each knows the truth
Last two lines considered to have a lustful tone indicated by the pun on the word “lie” which has to do with their personal relationship and the lies they tell each other

Audience:

Directed towards people in deceitful relationships—could be one-sided or two-sided OR
Directed towards a general audience in order to explain the deceitful relationship between the poet and his mistress

Purpose:

To show the result of a deceitful relationship in order to promote honesty, integrity, and communication instead of dishonesty and lack of communication

Go through critical approaches.
Relate to “To His Coy Mistress.” (Don’t ask—part of an activity!!)

The two can relate depending on your opinion of “To His Coy Mistress.”
The poet of “To His Coy Mistress” only talks about his mistress’ beauty and how he longs for her (doesn’t support her decision either) therefore we can deduce that his love is false.
In “Sonnet 138” I deduced that the couple’s love is not emotional or binding but is based on lies and deceit just as “To His Coy Mistress” is therefore their love is false as well.

Begin activity 2 as a group if there is enough time.