Sonnet 117

In the poem "Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all…" (Sonnet 117) by William Shakespeare, written in 1609, the author lists out charges against him in an almost legal manner. It is unknown whom he is being disloyal to in the sonnet, but the author is letting the reader know of the things that he has done to offend or even anger them. By using such special devices of style as metaphors, the author paints the picture of a man that has been unfaithful and disloyal, but recognizes his acts and still has love.

The sonnet reads like a rap sheet of the author. He lists the things that he has done wrong to show that he fully understands what he has done wrong and the impact of his actions on his relationship. In lines 5 and 6 of the sonnet, it states, "That I have frequent been with the unknown minds and given to time your own dear-purchased right." This means that the poet has been with people for unknown reasons and devoted the time and loyalty that belongs to his love over to them. This right of time belongs to his love because it is the return gift that she gets for giving herself to him. That's why it is so hurting when he devoted it to someone else, someone unimportant even.

The next offense the author mentions is in

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The actions that he has done to his love that have hurt her and that were wrong. " The author is saying here that he wants his love to mark down his disposition to be headstrong and stubborn. I don't know of one person that would let their boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife get away with that. By appeal, the author means his actions. Then the couplet comes and it is made clear.

Sonnet 117 is related to other sonnets written by Shakespeare about disloyalty. We only know what he has done wrong and how he feels about it. Then he is telling her to aim her anger towards him, but then telling her not to fire. As readers, we might think that he has gone off with other women, or men for that matter in some sort of sexual adventure. " Once again Shakespeare is going back to the legal idea of this sonnet by stating the word of appeal. Sonnets 109 – 113 cover the topic and deal with betrayal.

In the last two lines of the sonnet, lines 13 and 14, it states, "Since my appeal says I did strive to prove the constancy and virtue of your love.

Approximate Word count = 1097
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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