amor infideles
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In Shakespeare's, "When my love swears she is made of truth", the narrator describes his destructive and untrustworthy relationship with and unfaithful lover. The speaker of the poem is both self-deceived and insensible. The poem illustrates an abnormal couple that not only deceives each other, but their own selves as well.
The most unique characteristic about this particular couple is that they both know their whole relationship is based on lies. In the first two lines of the poem this fact is obvious because the narrator states, "When my love swears she is made of truth I believe her though I know she lies" (Shakespeare 759). The only reason the man in the relationship does not hold the woman accountable for her unfaithfulness is to ensure that they may still be lovers. The man is apparently much older than his female partner. The man is also obviously so insecure about his age that he pretends not to notice her transparent lies. The man relishes in the fact that since he pretends to believe her lies, that in return she, "Might think me some untutored youth, unlearned in the worlds false subtleties" (Shakespeare 759). Both lovers are aware of each others shortcomings, "On both sides thus is simple truth supprest...