Return to Shakespeare's Sonnet 36 |
1.
confess: reluctantly admit. twain: parted.
3.
blots: The preceding sonnets (starting with #33) make it clear that there has been a rupture in the relationship between the poet and his beloved. The effect of that rupture upon the poet has been referred to as a rack of clouds and a stain. Now those evocative but obscure metaphors are succeeded by "blots."
5.
but one respect: ? only one objective.
6.
separable spite: i.e., an annoying matter, or a malignancy of fate, which is capable of separating us.
7.
sole effect: ? unifying effect.
9.
not evermore: never henceforth. acknowledge: i.e., publicly acknowledge our relationship. It is clear that if the relationship were publicly acknowledged, the reputation of the beloved would be harmed; it is not clear why that should be so.
13-14.
in such sort / As: in such a way that.
14.
report: reputation. The final couplet also ends Sonnet 96.