Sonnet 110

Commentary

There is a lot of conflicting commentary on this poem, mainly around the question of whether it is about acting or about love. Clearly it is about both.

In the first stanza, the poet regrets having made a spectacle of himself (a 'motley to the view'). In part, this can certainly reflect upon the poet's role as an actor, a role considered by Elizabethans to be next in status to that of a beggar, but the words can be more generally interpreted as roistering in ale houses and other places of ill-repute. That the poet knew these places very well is beyond doubt, as he uses scenes from them to great effect in his plays. 'Gor'd mine own thoughts' simply means that the poet padded his thoughts out for public presentation, 'gore' being a dressmaking term for the process of making something appear more substantial than it is.

The second stanza puts forward the idea that though he has committed errors, these very errors have made him see the true value of his relationship with the young man, and, as an added benefit, given a certain youth back to his emotions.

In the third stanza, the poet promises not to sharpen ('grinde') his appetite on fresh meat any more.

Believe it if you will.