Sonnet 117

1. Accuse me thus, that I have scanted all,

2. Wherein I should your great deserts repay,

3. Forgot upon your dearest love to call,

4. Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day,

5. That I have frequent been with unknown minds,

6. And given to time your own dear-purchased right,

7. That I have hoisted sail to all the winds

8. Which should transport me farthest from your sight.

9. Book both my wilfulness and errors down,

10. And on just proof surmise, accumulate,

11. Bring me within the level of your frown,

12. But shoot not at me in your waken'd hate:

13. Since my appeal says I did strive to prove

14. The constancy and virtue of your love

Your Love

Dedication: To Elizabeth

Seeking forgiveness for his mental and physical absence and asking Elizabeth for her forgiveness as he proclaims his love.

1st Quatrain: (1-4)

That I have slighted all, when I should be thankful for these bonds we share

2nd Quatrain: (5-8)

That my thoughts have been so misguided and given time to realize your right to decide. Line 7 his having "hoisted sail" is actually a convenient dating item and I believe confirms roughly this interpretation of the sequence. Oxford left England in his early twenties for a tour of the Continent.

3rd Quatrain: (9-12)

Remember my errors and take rightful offense but please don't act in hasty anger

couplet (13-14),

Reflecting on the notion that his appeal is tied to Elizabeth's virtue and her (motherly) love


Commentary:

In this sonnet the poet is not asking for forgiveness but a fair hearing as he offers that his purpose is again in Elizabeth’s interest. Oxford changes course likely, and seemingly makes an effort to exclude references to Henry. But instead provides a discussion of his own failings along with an apology for his appeal. Again a demonstration of the connectedness of the sonnets but also one of Oxford expressing that he is arguing on behalf of his subject as well. But that also he always remained true to Elizabeth, Oxford of course has always been arguing that an heir benefits Elizabeth.

In both biographical terms and chronology the poet is still responding to the scandal revealed in 121. This sonnet is similar to 121 in that it expresses some of the poet’s own culpability and the resulting guilt. Line 6 reveals Oxfords reflection on the thought that Elizabeth has some right to keep the throne and thereby her status and power.

Line 7 serves a dating purpose, though likely not post Oxford's continental tour, clearly an indication of being well traveled. Possibly this reflects early trips made from his home in Essex to London or possibly across the Channel. Further Oxford requested naval service in 1572 which likely indicated he felt he possessed some level of expertise. While he also was apparently keeping well abreast of the Admiralty of France at this time. Probably again worth mentioning Shakespeare's extensive naval knowledge. And pointed out here among others.

While the lines following reflect on the reason for his trip alluding to the trouble between them and thus establishes a link to the continuing difficulty and response to the initial crime.

Vendler imagines a rebuttal to the young man who has supposedly made the charges against the poet that the poet supposedly rebuts. This as opposed to the rationalization and apology that the sonnet is as in line 6 where Oxford expresses Elizabeth’s right to enjoy what she has paid dearly for, the throne. Vendler further expresses that the end result is the poet’s expression that all that he has done previously was for the subject’s benefit but she states that the nature of the actions is unknown as the poet gave “no particulars”.


Note:

Probably worth noting that Marlowe penned a play, The Massacre at Paris: With the Death of the Duke of Guise, related to the event Oxford was commenting on, the murder of Gaspard II de Colignyand the related St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. But perhaps it should be apparent that Shakespeare was never so overtly indicative of true life events. And his politics were largely secret and chiefly concerned with the substance of these poems as I've indicated.