Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare “Let me not to the marriage of true minds” Summary & Analysis

 INTRODUCTION:

Elizabethan age has been rightly called as “a nest of singing birds”. Shakespeare, Spenser and Sidney are the trio-poets of this most flowering period of English literature who heralded a new trend of writing fabulous songs and sonnets in sequence. 

William Shakespeare has been applauded as the most outstanding poet and dramatist of English literature. As a poet he wrote a series of 154 sonnets from 1593 to 1596 and published them in 1609.

Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare explores the nature of true love and its enduring qualities.

Structure and Form:

Sonnet 116 follows the typical Shakespearean sonnet structure. It is written in three quatrains and a couplet. It consists of 14 iambic pentameter lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Stanza wise Explanation:

Stanza 1:

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove”

In the first stanza, the poet expresses the idea that true lovers do not to allow anything to obstruct or hinder the union of two true and compatible minds in love. The term "marriage of true minds" metaphorically represents a deep and harmonious connection between two individuals. The speaker argues that real love does not change when it encounters challenges or difficulties ("alters when it alteration finds") nor does it weaken when the beloved changes or tries to distance themselves from the relationship ("or bends with the remover to remove").

 Stanza 2:

“O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.”

In the second stanza, the poet declares that love is unchanging and steadfast. Love is like a lighthouse that remains firm even in the face of storms and challenges. It serves as a guiding star for lost ships ("wandering bark"), and its true value can never be fully understood, even though its position in the sky can be measured.

 Stanza 3:

“Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.”

 In the third stanza, the poet continues to emphasize the immortal love. Love is portrayed as something that is not subject to the influence of time ("Love's not Time's fool"). Despite the fact that youth and physical beauty may fade with time ("rosy lips and cheeks"), true love remains unchanged. Love is immortal and never dies even at the end of the world (doom).

 Stanza 4:

“If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.”

 In the final couplet, Shakespeare boldly asserts the truth of his words. He declares that if anyone can prove these statements about love to be incorrect or false, then either he would never write poetry or no one has ever truly experienced love. Thus, the last couplet expresses the poet’s strong belief in true and immortal love.

Theme of Love:

The central theme of Sonnet 116 is love. It specifically focuses on the constancy and immortality of true love. True love is unchanging and constant. Shakespeare presents love as an unwavering force that is not subject to time's effects or the changes of life. True love passes from obstacles and challenges, but true love passes the test of time and society.

Metaphor and Imagery:

The sonnet is rich in metaphors and imagery. For example, the phrase "the marriage of true minds" metaphorically represents the union of two souls in love. The metaphor continues with references to the "star" and the "ever-fixed mark," which symbolize the guiding light and unwavering nature of true love.

Contrasts:

Shakespeare uses contrasting elements to emphasize his point. He contrasts love with the "Time's fool" and "bending sickle," (a cutting tool used in farming)which represent the transitory nature of life and the ravages of time. By juxtaposing these images with the constancy of love, he underscores love's eternal quality.

Universal Message:

One of the reasons why Sonnet 116 is so appealing is its universal message. Shakespeare's description of love applies to all times and cultures, making it relevant even today. The idea of love as an unwavering force is a sentiment that continues to resound with people.

CONCLUSION:

In this way, Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare is a powerful exploration of the enduring nature of true love. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and rhetorical devices, the sonnet presents love as an unwavering force that transcends the challenges of time and life. It remains a beloved piece of literature, celebrated for its timeless message about the nature of love.

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