This document provides an analysis of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116. It summarizes the key ideas in the first 12 lines of the sonnet. Shakespeare states that true minds should not admit impediments to their marriage, as love is not love if obstacles get in the way. He uses the subsequent lines to give examples supporting this viewpoint, such as discussing being faithful, love being eternal and a guiding force, and love's worth being immeasurable though its height can be known.

1. Essay on Poem Analysis – Sonnet 116
Poem Analysis – Sonnet 116
'Let Me Not To The Marriage Of True Minds'
Study the first 12 lines of the poem. Discuss how Shakespeare makes a statement in the first and
second lines, and then use lines 2–12 to give examples which supports his viewpoints.
In the first two lines of the poem Shakespeare writes,
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments: love is not love
The first line shows that he thinks you should not marry unless you are faithful. He says 'let me not'
which means that he does not approve of the untrue or unfaithful minds marrying. The second line
means that there will be obstacles in your way and you must be willing to face or overcome them.
Otherwise 'love is not love', or you will...show more content...
This continues Shakespeare's idea of being faithful and then continues to think about the other
person. He uses the word 'remover' as the one who falls out of love which emphasises the fact that
it is their fault and they are the ones being unfaithful. This could also be used as an example of one
of the obstacles, which Shakespeare explains exists in the second line.
In the next two lines Shakespeare explores love being there forever.
O no, it is an ever fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken
Here he starts to use metaphors to explain his viewpoints on love. In the first of the two lines he
uses the word 'mark' which means buoy to show that the feeling of love does not change or move.
He then says that love faces 'tempests' or storms and is still never shaken. These lines are a contrast
to the last two as they now show love never changing. The next lines show how faithful you can be
and that true love will always come through.
It is the star to every wand'ring bark
Whose worth's unknown, although his height can be taken
A metaphor is used here, love is the star to a wandering ship. It guides you and gives you
direction. Also it means that you always follow it or always go back to your true love and also

2. gives the idea of life and love being a voyage or journey. The second line means that love has no
worth, it is priceless although it can be measured. This continues to expand Shakespeare's ideas on
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3. Meaning Of Sonnet 116
CHANGING CONCEPT OF LOVE FROM SHAKESPEARE TO ELIZABETHAN
REFRENCES: * SONNET 116 BY SHAKESPEARE. * WHEN YOU ARE OLD BY W.B YEATS.
Shakespeare: William Shakespeare was an English poet,playwright and actor,widely regarded as the
greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre–eminent dramatist. Sonnets were the last
of Shakespeare's non dramatic works to be printed. Period was English renaissance.
W.B YEATS
W.B yeats was an irish poet and one foremost figures of the 20th century. He was a symbolist poet, in
that he used allusive imagery and symbolism structures throughout his career.
THEME
SONNET 116: In this sonnet,the theme is the poem.Shakespeare presents an argument,forcing...show
more content...
Love doesn't alter with the brief hours and weeks. Acc. to Shakespeare, this would be a strong oath
for Shakespeare who was incredibly prolific writer, and certainly men have loved. Mainly
Shakespeare is trying to answer the universal question. "what is love".Acc. to Shakespeare true love
should be loyal to each other, should never admit or allow anything to hinder their love or come
between them.whatever the situation is, true love love cant be changed for each other.whether its
spiritual, mental or physical change, those who love each other,they don't change their minds about
each other.true love is defined as the adherence of two hearts, even if the person becomes more
distant,true love remains the same and eternal.shakespeare express that in order of succession, their
comes a lot of physical changes in beauty, but the true love doesn't change with the beauty, time is
personified in this poem and Shakespeare only believes in inner
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4. Theme Of Sonnet 116
Love is an emotion and feeling that will either fade away as time goes by or stay with a person for
a lifetime. Love is not only between opposite sexes but rather between the thought of humankind. In
a poem written by Shakespeare, he discusses the idea of love staying the same under any challenge
that an individual may face throughout their lives. "Sonnet 116," written by Shakespeare argues that
love is powerful and that time is mainly influenced by the thought of love. The central message of
this poem demonstrates that although love is a mystery to some people it is the mindset of one to
face the challenges of love; love is constant, patient, and kind. Based on the message that
Shakespeare hints to his readers, I can agree with the theme...show more content...
In brief, love cannot be changed by an individual themselves or by their surrounding; love will
always remain constant. When it comes to the topic of love, most people will have the mindset that
love is not important. The qualities that someone may have for the topic of love may be identified
as either positive or negative in that the outcome of love will never be the way some people will
want it to be. In making this statement, Shakespeare discusses the complications that love may be
permanent or temporary. In his poem, "Sonnet 116," Shakespeare maintains that "O no! It is an
ever–fixed mark/That look on the tempest and is never shaken;" (5–6). He addresses that this to give
readers the understanding that the "ever–fixed mark" is just the mark that remains in the qualities of
affection. Shakespeare had expressed the negative side of what love is not and is now suggesting
that love does not change and that it is permanent. Additionally, if love is considered permanent
individuals should be responsible for the challenges they may face over time. In the transition to the
idea that love cannot be changed and that love is permanent, Shakespeare holds attention to the idea
that love is time. The topic of love challenges the idea that time is a
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