In Sonnet 88, the speaker imagines a future moment when the beloved will “set me light” (treat him as worthless) and place his merits before scornful eyes. Rather than defending himself, he pledges to join the attack—taking the beloved’s side, fighting against his own reputation, and proving the beloved virtuous even if it means lying. He’ll concoct a story of hidden faults that taint him, so that losing him makes the beloved look glorious. Strangely, he calls this self-inflicted damage a “double-vantage”: because he bends all his loving thoughts toward the beloved, the injuries feel like a gain. The couplet seals it—I belong so completely to you that I’ll bear any wrong for your right. The mood is one of quiet, almost painful devotion. There’s no anger or reproach, only a melancholy willingness to erase himself if it elevates the person he adores.
Sonnet 88: When thou shalt be dispos'd to set me light — Summary
When thou shalt be dispos'd to set me light, And place my merit in the eye of scorn, Upon thy side, against myself I'll fight, And prove thee virtuous, though thou art forsworn. With mine own weakness, being best acquainted, Upon thy part I can set down a story Of faults conceal'd, wherein I am attainted; That thou in losing me shalt win much glory: And I by this will be a gainer too; For bending all my loving thoughts on thee, The injuries that to myself I do, Doing thee vantage, double-vantage me. Such is my love, to thee I so belong, That for thy right, myself will bear all wrong.