Notes for Shakespeare's Sonnet 141


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Shakespeare's
Sonnet
141

4. in despite of view: despite the evidence of vision.

6. Nor tender feeling, to base touches prone: i.e., nor (is) my delicate sense of touch eager for sexual contact.

9. five wits: intellectual faculties (usually listed as common sense, memory, fantasy, imagination, and judgment).

11. Who leaves unsway'd the likeness of a man: i.e., the heart, which should control the body, has deserted it, leaving the body ungoverned, the mere likeness of a man.

13. plague: i.e., my feelings for you.   thus far: to the following extent.

14. pain: penance; punishment.