Many critics, both professional and amateur, analyze William Shakespeare's sonnets with a fine-toothed comb. From manipulating iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme, to combining mismatched words, Shakespeare's sonnets are interpreted in a variety of different ways. "Sonnet 30" is popular among critics, as most believe it is a great metaphor, one between love and financial struggles. However, although there is evidence to support this idea, the true meaning of the poem is intrinsically clear. The narrator in this poem does not compare monetary misfortunes to his love, but rather discusses his pain and affection towards his two lovers. The poem seamlessly gives us the inside of the narrator's mind. Shakespeare uses his classical sonnet format to emphasize this, as he shows desperation and remorse for adultery towards his first lover in the quatrains, but switches to a lovely, remorseless tone directed towards the lover in the couplet. Regardless of the format, the language of the poem is indicative of the fact that it is addressed to two lovers. The emotional narrator takes dual perspectives as he is empathetic towards both people. Although many consider it a unique and subtle financial metaphor for love, William Shakespeare's “Sonnet 30” is a tribute to the narrator's lover. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The format of "Sonnet 30" allows Shakespeare's true meaning to come to light. Shakespeare had a particular way of organizing his sonnets, as they all had three quatrains and a couplet, where the change in tone occurred. Furthermore, the sonnets were all written in exactly ten syllables per line, so as to meet the requirements of iambic pentameter. In this specific sonnet, Shakespeare uses the format to his advantage. In much of the poem, from lines 1 to 12, the narrator describes feelings during his "sweet silent thought," where he collects all his shameful emotions towards his original lover. In these twelve lines, the narrator confesses to “moaning the cost of many lost sights,” meaning he mourns the death of their relationship due to his betrayal. He goes on to list his sympathies, only to mention having found a lover or "precious friend hidden in the dateless night of death." The sonnet continues in this way until the couplet, or the last two lines. In these lines, Shakespeare often shifted the sonnet into a different gear, summarizing his poem and leaving it open-ended. Here, Shakespeare ends with the lines "But if I think of thee meanwhile, dear friend, / All losses are mended and sorrows end." This ending is undoubtedly directed at the narrator's lover. The change in tone at this time is widely expected by Shakespeare and his readers. The shift from a pained and empathetic voice to a kind and optimistic point of view indicates the change in people. This change is transparent to the reader, as it is obvious that the narrator is addressing another person of interest, the lover. Shakespeare engages with the format in an ironic and intelligent way, which guides the narrator's emotions in the readers. Beyond the format of Shakespeare's work, there is physical literature. Shakespeare is known for his bizarre combination of words and phrases that present a profound image. The narrator's feelings are emphasized and expressed in the first twelve lines, with words like “groan,” “grieve,” and “woe.” Beautifully crafted but disturbing images of this man crying are also shown in the first twelve lines with phrases such as “then I can, 5(2), 178-192.