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 lines 7 and 8. Here in these lines he uses the device of the metaphor. The sonnet states, "That I have hoisted sail to all the winds which should transport me farthest from your sight." He uses the metaphor of himself being a sailboat and letting the wind take him away from his love, without any resistance. It is careless and offers a good argument for his love against him. He is saying that he just went with anything that came along and pushed him a bit, like a sail catching wind.
             Although the sonnet does contain several admissions by the author, nothing really ever gets into detail. What happened when he "set sail"? Who were these people that he had gone off with and gave time and devotion to?...