Sonnet 116, written by William Shakespeare, is a poem that explores the theme of true love and its ability to withstand all obstacles. The poem opens with the line, "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments," indicating the speaker's belief that true love is eternal and cannot be disrupted by any external factors.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses various literary devices to convey the idea that true love is constant and unchanging. For example, the speaker compares true love to a "star" that "fixes his beam" and "is never shaken." This metaphor suggests that true love is a steady and unwavering force, even in the face of adversity.
Another theme that emerges in Sonnet 116 is the idea of love as a guiding force. The speaker states that true love "bears it out even to the edge of doom," suggesting that it has the power to endure even in the face of death. This idea aligns with the theme of love as a guiding force, as it suggests that true love can provide direction and purpose in life, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
In addition to these themes, Sonnet 116 also touches on the idea of love as a transformative force. The speaker asserts that true love "alters not" when it "finds, nor bends with the remover to remove." This suggests that true love has the power to change and shape the individual, helping them to become the best version of themselves.
Overall, the theme of Sonnet 116 is the enduring and transformative nature of true love. Through the use of literary devices and powerful imagery, the speaker conveys the idea that true love is eternal and unchanging, and has the power to guide and shape an individual's life.
What Is The Theme Of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116?
The attitude throughout the entire poem is passionate and emotional. It is written in the traditional fourteen lines style and is written in Iambic pentameter. Love lasts until the final judgment. Since the poem begins by dissociating love from the limits of time, this should not be surprising, especially since the marriage service insists on the possibility of love surviving time and its consequence, change. Immortality is: the ability to live forever. Time does of course impact beauty and the appearance of love's adherents, but it does not impact love itself, as true love remains constant "even to the edge of doom," or up until death itself, and, in some cases, beyond. Both of these sonnets exemplify the love that the narrator has for a mistress in his life, and how he defines Shakespeare - Sonnet 116 Analysis and Interpretation Shakespeare — Sonnet 116 Analysis and interpretation Sonnet 116 was written by William Shakespeare and published in 1609.
What is the meaning behind Sonnet 116?
However, its theme does not conform to the traditional themes of sonnets. How does Shakespeare glorify lovers in his Sonnet 116? Enjambment is again employed in this line, which furthers the concept of trespassing in the first line. The speaker, who presumably represents Shakespeare himself, stakes the veracity of his ideas against his reputation as a writer. A metaphor compares two things, usually to highlight a quality in one or both of them. If a remover tries to remove the poles of love, true love will not let it do so. True love, the speaker argues, does not change or alter with the passing of time, or with the fading of beauty and youth.
Sonnet 116 Summary, Themes, and Literary Analysis
In Sonnet 116, the speaker glorifies true love by comparing its resilience to the common obstacles that love faces: change, strife, and time. The speaker says that when two persons are true to each other, they will never face any hindrance in their communion. Time, nor the grim reaper, will bring death to love. In particular, it holds firm against the ravages of time. This final couplet serves two purposes. Of course, it's a Shakespearean sonnet, written in iambic pentameter five iambic feet each line, ta-DUM ta-DUM ta-DUM and rhymed ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This image holds time as a worldly despot who has many jesters in its court.
