Sonnet 36
Let me confess that we two must be twain,
separation
shame
love
sacrifice
Let me confess that we two must be twain,
Although our undivided loves are one:
So shall those blots that do with me remain
Without thy help by me be borne alone.
In our two loves there is but one respect,
Though in our lives a separable spite,
Which though it alter not love's sole effect,
Yet doth it steal sweet hours from love's delight.
I may not evermore acknowledge thee,
Lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shame,
Nor thou with public kindness honour me,
Unless thou take that honour from thy name:
But do not so; I love thee in such sort
As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
What It Means
Shakespeare concedes they must live separately, at least publicly. There are reasons he doesn't name. Their separation is not caused by any loss of love, but some 'blots' attach to him that must not damage the young man. If they are seen as close, whatever shame attaches to Shakespeare will transfer to his friend. The most loving thing he can do is stay away. The final couplet is wrenching: please acknowledge me if we meet, but don't let people see that you know me.
Context
Part of the Fair Youth sequence. The nature of the 'blots' is unclear — possibly related to Shakespeare's social status as a common player, or some unspecified scandal.
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