Sonnet 138

This poem was written about the Dark Lady. The woman is unfaithful and he is getting old. They both don’t admit their faults and live a relationship full of dishonesty. The word “lies” has a double meaning in this poem. It means that the woman is not telling the truth and that she sleeps with other men. It is kind of upsetting to see the poor relationship that the man has with his mistress. They stay together but both know that it is unhealthy and not working out. The sonnet also portrays his insecurities about growing old like when he says, “And wherefore say not I that I am old?”. His relationship is a hidden mess and he is unstable himself.