What is Shakespeares poem sonnet 36 talking about?
The poem is addressed by one lover to another, acknowledging that their relationship has to end. Their love is somehow wrong and shameful, the poem says, although it doesn’t specify the reason. The speaker is saying, in effect, “We’ll split up, and any shame our relationship deserves I’ll take on myself, leaving your character or public image unblemished. I’m OK with that, because I take pleasure in your good reputation as if it were my own.” This site will give you a modern English translation: http://nfs.sparknotes.
