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Shakespeare's Sonnets, Sonnet 135 summary

Sonnet 135 of 154 · 1 min to read the scene

In Sonnet 135, the speaker asks a woman whose desire already seems abundant to accept his desire alongside those of others. He compares her capacity to the sea receiving rain and urges her to count all her suitors as one, including him rather than refusing him.

What happens

  1. The speaker describes the woman as having more than enough Will and presents himself as another addition to her desires.
  2. He asks why her roomy desire cannot shelter his own and whether others receive acceptance while he does not.
  3. He compares her abundance to the sea, which continues to receive rain despite already containing water.
  4. He urges her not to reject her suitors but to regard them as one and include him.

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In this scene

What to notice

The comparison supports his central argument: having plenty need not prevent accepting more. He uses it to press for acceptance of his own desire.

Quick check

What comparison supports the speaker's request for acceptance?

Cite this page

“Shakespeare's Sonnets, Sonnet 135 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/pages/shakespeares-sonnets-scene-135-summary.

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