Sonnet Analysis In sonnet 96, the poet apologizes for his lovers lustfulness; while exploring the power of his lover’s beauty, he finds the virtues in his lover’s faults. The expressive metaphors and theatrical diction portray William Shakespeare’s battle with his lover’s straying desires. The opulent use of the metaphor: “As on the finger of a throned queen/The basest jewel will be well esteem'd,” emphasizes how charming his lover’s faults are seen as because of the man astounding beauty. This line suggests a sort of jealousy in the poet, who pairs in comparison to his beloved, even the plainest thing is deemed important on his partner. Shakespeare claims some people say his lovers fault is “wantonness” a mischievous, but a damaging tone comes from the rich diction here, the poet believes that his lover’s flirty, lustful ways seem to cross the line between endearing and charming too dangerous. When Shakespeare goes on to say: “How many lambs might the stern wolf betray,/If like a lamb he could his looks translate!” he is highlighting the way his lover could be seen as a predator stalking its prey, with a villainous grace. This poem seems to be a warning for the innocent people his lover might try to tempt. But then, why does Shakespeare stay with this nefarious man? It is all answered in a smooth assonance in the second to last line: “But do not so, I love thee in such sort,” the lover, for all his faults and graces, has low self esteem, he uses his promiscuity to make him feel better about himself. However, Shakespeare, in this concluding line, is cooing to him, like a mother to an upset child, to make him feel okay, to let him know that Shakespeare finds the graces in all of his lovers faults.
