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Sonnet116 160403114709
Sonnet116 160403114709
Shakespeare
Sonnet 116
Shakespeare is writing about how constant true love is. It cant be shaken, even when
people change and get older- if it is true love then it stays just as powerful as ever
If it really is genuine love, then it doesn’t change when circumstances change
He says that if what he says isn’t true then he never wrote anything and no man has ever
been in love.
Since we know he did write and men do love he is saying his words on love are true
Form structure and language
Form- this is a sonnet. Sonnets were a popular form of poetry in Shakespeare's day and
they were often used for writing about love. The sonnet is made up off three quatrains ( a
group of four line poems) with a rhyming couplet at the end. The regular rhyme scheme
gives the poem a sense of order and completeness.
structure- the quatrains all discuss the same idea of love being unchanging in the slightly
different ways and using different imagery. The final couplet is the narrators guarantee
that he is telling the truth
Language about sailing- true love is shown to be reliable- it guides us in an uncertain and
stormy world
Language about time and ageing- when we get older we look different, perhaps not as
attractive but true love isn’t tricked by t he effects of time- it remains the same. Love isn’t
at the mercy of time- has no end i
Feelings and attitudes in the poem
Devotion- the voice in the poem is declaring a love which will not change
Constancy- he sees love as fixed and eternal- something which wont change even when
the object of his love changes
True love- its not a shallow, superficial love which is based on what the loved one looks like
Exploring the poem in more depth
Shakespeare explores the traditional idea of love and time being enemies. But his attitude
is positive....even if “rosy lips and cheeks” are challenged by times “sickle”, love will
remain. Love and time are personified here.
Shakespeare explores the whole concept of love....not just one couples experience.
The poems opening lines refer to Christian marriage ceremonies. Love is “the marriage of
true minds” and should be without “impediments”
Metaphors- are based on nature: love “looks on tempests and is never shaken”....”is the
star to every wand’ring bark”. These show love to be an essential part of our natural world.
Perhaps the metaphor of the star is the most crucial..... It is timeless
Exploring the poem in more depth
The poem ends with Shakespeare challenging us...”if this be error and upon me proved/ I
never writ nor no man ever loved”.... If he's wrong then he has never written and no man
has ever loved
The sonnet could be contrasted with many poems Hour where time is a obstacle to love,
His coy mistress we should grab opportunities for love, because times running out, In paris
with you love does end