Sonnet 20

Song Meaning

Rufus Wainwright's "Sonnet 20" is not merely a song; it's a meticulously crafted homage to Shakespeare, a queering of the Bard's original intent, and a poignant exploration of desire's frustrating boundaries. Wainwright, ever the theatrical romantic, doesn't just set the sonnet to music; he inhabits its complex emotional landscape, amplifying the inherent tensions within the text. The song, at its core, grapples with an infatuation that's both idealized and inherently conflicted. The object of affection possesses traditionally feminine beauty, a "woman's face," yet is undeniably male, creating a paradox that both captivates and frustrates the speaker. The genius of Wainwright's interpretation lies in his ability to highlight the sonnet's underlying sense of longing and compromise. Lines like "A woman's gentle heart but not acquainted / With shifting change as is false women's fashion" paint a picture of an idealized femininity, free from the perceived flaws of women. Yet, this ideal is embodied in a man, further complicating the speaker's desire. The "eye more bright" that "steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth" suggests a charisma that transcends gender, a captivating force that defies easy categorization. This ambiguity is central to the song's meaning, reflecting the fluidity of attraction and the limitations of societal norms. Ultimately, "Sonnet 20" delves into the bittersweet acceptance of unfulfilled desire. The lines "And by addition me of thee defeated / By adding one thing to my purpose nothing" express the speaker's frustration at being denied complete access to his beloved. The "addition" refers to the male genitalia, rendering him ultimately suited for women's pleasure. However, the final couplet offers a resolution, albeit a somewhat resigned one: "Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure." The speaker concedes the physical aspect of the relationship to women, but claims the emotional and spiritual connection for himself. Through Wainwright’s musical lens, Shakespeare’s words become a powerful meditation on the complexities of love, gender, and the enduring human desire for connection, even within the confines of societal expectations.