Sonnet 145
Those lips that love's own hand did make
Breathed forth the sound that said, "I hate"
To me that languished for her sake;
But when she saw my woeful state,
Straight in her heart did mercy come,
Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
Was used in giving gentle doom,
And taught it thus anew to greet:
"I hate," she altered with an end
That followed it as gentle day
Doth follow night who, like a fiend,
From heaven to hell is flown away.
"I hate," from hate away she threw,
And saved my life, saying, "not you."
Commentary
Addressed to Ann Hathaway
This sonnet is difficult to reconcile with the others. It is clearly addressed to a woman, but which woman? The use of 'hate away' in line 13 has an obvious association with Hathaway, the poet's wife's maiden name. It is also noticeable that this poem has only eight syllables per line (the others all have ten). A verse with eight syllables per line probably signifies country measures, which would accord well with the supposition that the sonnet is indeed addressed to Anne Hathaway.
The picture drawn is simple enough: the poet sees the woman in very positive terms: her lips were made by love's own hand, he languishes for her, and, when she sees this, she immediately feels a merciful impulse, chiding her 'ever sweet' tongue, and correcting her statement 'I hate', thus saving the poet's life. But the question remains: why does the poet fear that the woman will hate him? If the woman addressed is indeed Anne Hathaway, then it is perhaps guilt that informs his fears. He has, after all, been unfaithful to his wife, probably many times. Perhaps, on returning home, he fears rejection by her. Still, he is a successful poet, he has bought her the second biggest house in Stratford.... It's not all bad news. She can perhaps forgive him a little wandering during his time in London and elsewhere, after all, he is but a man. Sigh no more, ladies.