Shakespeare in Sonnet 116 emphasizes that love is not subject to the passage of time. Despite the inevitable changes brought about by time, such as the fading of physical beauty, true love remains constant. Love is depicted as enduring and unaltered by the fleeting nature of hours and weeks, extending until the very edge of doom or destruction.
William Shakespeare’s collection of sonnets consists of the first 126 addressed to a young man, and the remaining ones to a woman referred to as the ‘Dark Lady’. However, there is no historical evidence to confirm the existence of these specific individuals in Shakespeare’s life.
The sonnets represent a distinct and heartfelt expression of poetic sentiment, delving into the complexities of the human mind and heart. They encompass a wide spectrum of emotions and employ various literary devices to examine the nature of love and the experience of being loved, employing diverse techniques and capturing the intricacies of the human experience. Although the identities of the addressed individuals remain uncertain, the poems themselves stand as timeless reflections on the universal themes of love and relationships.
Part of a larger collection of 154 sonnets, Sonnet 116 is celebrated for its eloquence, its exploration of love’s endurance, and its timeless themes. It reflects Shakespeare’s mastery of the sonnet form, his command of language, and his ability to encapsulate profound truths about human emotions and relationships. The sonnet continues to captivate readers and serves as a testament to the enduring power and relevance of Shakespeare’s works.
Sonnet 116 | SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
“Sonnet 116” follows a specific prosodic structure, adhering to the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet. Typically, the Shakespearean or English sonnet consists of 14 lines, divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet (two lines). Sonnet 116 conforms to this structure.
The predominant meter used throughout the sonnet is iambic pentameter. Each line is composed of five pairs of syllables, with each pair consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This rhythmic pattern gives the sonnet its characteristic flow and lends it a musical quality.
“Sonnet 116” follows the standard Shakespearean rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The end rhymes in each quatrain are organized in alternating pairs, while the couplet at the end is rhymed together. This rhyme scheme creates a sense of balance and symmetry in the sonnet.
The volta or the turn appears after the first quatrain. It marks a shift in focus or tone, transitioning from the exploration of love’s constancy to the examination of its nature and endurance.
The sonnet maintains a consistent stanza length throughout, with each quatrain and the couplet forming distinct units. This structure contributes to the sonnet’s overall organization and allows for the development of ideas within each section.
These prosodic elements work together to create the rhythmic and formal structure of Sonnet 116. The iambic pentameter, rhyme scheme, and volta contribute to the sonnet’s musicality, while the regular stanza length enhances its balance and coherence.
Sonnet 116 | Analysis, Lines 1-4
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 opening lines of Sonnet 116, Shakespeare begins with the imperative phrase “Let me not,” indicating his desire to establish a particular viewpoint or argument. By stating “to the marriage of true minds,” the speaker refers to a deep and genuine connection between two individuals, emphasizing the unity of their minds and spirits. The word “marriage” symbolizes a profound union or bond.
The line “Admit impediments” introduces the concept of potential obstacles or hindrances that could arise within this union. Here, the speaker acknowledges the existence of challenges or difficulties that may test the strength of the connection.
Together, these opening lines establish the speaker’s determination to address and confront any possible hindrances that may arise, suggesting a steadfast commitment to the endurance of true love. The speaker presents a resilient and unwavering attitude, setting the tone for the rest of the sonnet, which explores the timeless nature of genuine love.
Shakespeare strategically employs the imperative “Let me not” at the beginning of Sonnet 116, indicating his persuasive intentions. Furthermore, he employs the powerful tool of negation, using the word “not” four times throughout the sonnet. This repetitive negation suggests a sense of uncertainty or a need to define love by highlighting what it is not, in order to strengthen his argument.
Sonnet 116 | Analysis, Lines 5-8
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand’ring bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
In these lines of Sonnet 116, Shakespeare continues to emphasize the steadfast and unshakable nature of true love. The exclamation “O no!” expresses the speaker’s firm conviction and refusal to accept any alternative viewpoint.
The phrase “it is an ever-fixed mark” compares true love to a constant and unchanging landmark or point of reference. This imagery conveys the idea that love serves as a reliable guide and source of stability in the tumultuous journey of life. No matter the challenges or “tempests” that may arise, love remains unwavering and resolute.
The line “It is the star to every wand’ring bark” further emphasizes the guiding and illuminating nature of love. Like a star that helps lost ships find their way, love provides direction and purpose in the lives of individuals who may feel lost or adrift.
The following phrase, “Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken,” suggests that the true value or worth of love cannot be fully measured or quantified. The word “height” may refer metaphorically to the magnitude or depth of love, but the essence and true significance of love extend beyond mere measurement.
Sonnet 116 | Analysis, Lines 9-14
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.
If this be error and upon me prov’d,
I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d.
In these lines, Shakespeare explores the enduring nature of love in the face of the passage of time and the transient nature of physical beauty.
By use of personification, the line “Love’s not Time’s fool” asserts that love is not subject to the whims and limitations of time. It suggests that love does not diminish or lose its essence as time progresses. The word “fool” implies that love is not easily deceived or influenced, but that real love transcends and triumphs over the limitations imposed by time. This antithesis creates a powerful contrast that enhances the message of the sonnet.
The phrase “though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle’s compass come” metaphorically describes the effects of time on physical appearance. It acknowledges that the youthful beauty of “rosy lips and cheeks” eventually falls within the reach of time’s metaphorical “bending sickle” or the scythe, which symbolizes mortality and the inevitability of aging, and eventually death.
The line “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks” reaffirms that love remains unchanged despite the fleeting nature of time. It asserts that love is not influenced or affected by the short-lived moments or the transient nature of life, but unwaveringly “bears it out even to the edge of doom,”. It suggests that love perseveres and withstands the tests of time, extending its influence and presence until the very brink of destruction or the end of existence.
The concluding couplet of Sonnet 116, the volta or the turn, marks a shift in the sonnet’s subject matter, by introducing a contrasting perspective. “If this be error and upon me prov’d, I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d,” serves as a powerful statement reinforcing the speaker’s unwavering conviction about the nature of love, often criticised by readers for being too glib.
The line presents a conditional statement, suggesting that if the speaker’s understanding of love is proven to be incorrect, then not only are his own writings meaningless, but the concept of love itself becomes invalidated for all people. This statement exhibits a sense of confidence and assertiveness in the speaker’s belief, positioning them as an authoritative voice on the subject.
From a critical standpoint, this couplet can be seen as Shakespeare’s poetic proclamation that his insights into love are absolute and universal. It hints at the idea that love, as portrayed in his sonnet, is an eternal truth that transcends individual perspectives and experiences.
Furthermore, the couplet reflects a sense of poetic audacity. Shakespeare boldly presents his personal viewpoint as an ultimate truth, challenging readers to question their own understanding of love. By suggesting that his words hold such weight, he raises the stakes of the entire sonnet, making it a definitive declaration about the enduring power of love.
However, it is worth noting that this couplet also invites a degree of interpretation and discussion. The speaker’s absolute certainty may be seen as an expression of poetic hyperbole or exaggeration, emphasizing the conviction and passion behind their words. It may also serve as a rhetorical device to provoke thought and spark contemplation about the nature of love. The exaggerated statement that no one has ever truly loved if the speaker’s understanding is incorrect serves to emphasize the profundity of their beliefs and to provoke thought and reflection on the nature of love itself.
The couplet can be seen as a meta poetic commentary on the power of literature and art. The speaker suggests that their own ability to write about love is contingent upon their accurate understanding of it. By extension, they imply that the art of love poetry itself is reliant on a true understanding of love. This interpretation highlights the connection between the speaker’s personal convictions and the act of artistic expression.
Sonnet 116 | About the author
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in the English language, often called the Bard of Avon. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and his works have had a profound and enduring impact on literature and theater.
Shakespeare’s plays, numbering 37 in total, encompass a wide range of genres, including tragedies (Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet), comedies (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing), and histories (Henry V, Richard III, and Julius Caesar). His plays are known for their rich characters, complex plots, and masterful use of language.
In addition to his plays, Shakespeare also wrote a collection of 154 sonnets, which explore themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality. These sonnets are revered for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth. Shakespeare’s works are characterized by his profound insight into the human condition, his ability to capture a wide range of emotions, and his masterful use of language and poetic devices. He coined numerous phrases and words that have become ingrained in the English language, and his plays continue to be performed and studied around the world. While relatively little is known about Shakespeare’s personal life, his legacy as a playwright and poet remains unparalleled. His works have transcended time and continue to be celebrated for their timeless themes, profound observations, and extraordinary artistic craftsmanship.
