Greeenblatt also points out that to truly grasp the meaning of the poem and the transience alluded to therein, readers must consider the social code for homosexual love. The Church did not tolerate sodomy and it would make sense that men would be attracted to other men considering how women were often treated as lower-class citizens. Through this "seesaw game of acknowledgment and denial" (253), Shakespeare "stages his sexual desire for the young man" (253). This poem encapsulates the bittersweet emotions often experienced in May-December or otherwise difficult romances.
In "Sonnet 116," we see a different side of love, which seems to influence the poet's attitude toward life as well. The poet uses metaphors to discuss love. He tells readers from the very beginning that love is a "marriage of true minds" (Shakespeare Sonnet 116-1). The term "ever-fixed mark" (5) explains how love is a metaphor for a navigation tool, such as a compass. The poet speaks of love as something that never falters and states that it is the "star to every wandering bark" (7). The star of love is bright and it will steer the course of many hearts that choose to follow it. The poet also demonstrates the strength of love through metaphors. The "tempests" (6) the poet speaks of are the difficulties lovers will eventually encounter. However, the poet's love is "never shaken" (6) by these kinds of troubles. By writing that love is "not Time's fool, though rosy lips & cheeks / Within his bending sickle compass come" (9-10), also uses metaphors. The use of the word time indicates that time will make a fool of love. Time might also represent death, as the poet mentions a sickle. These metaphors are powerful and they all point to the fact that love is powerful enough to overcome difficulties as well as strong enough to make a fool of anyone who finds him or herself in it. More metaphors describe rosy lips and cheeks, common when alluding to beauty. Unlike "Sonnet 73," this poem...
There is no dread or gloom in this poem and it declares love is wonderful regardless of how long it lasts.
Love is one of the most complicated emotions of the planet. It only complicates things that love is also one of the most beautiful, life-changing emotions experiences on can have. These two aspects of love become choice topics for poets and writers alike as they attempt to express feelings. Shakespeare certainly knew about love and we must assume he knew something about the subject because of his poetry. What we discover while reading his work is that love opens the door for many kinds of feelings. In "Sonnet 73," we see a somber approach to love as the poet realizes that a difference in age does indeed affect their relationship. This is somewhat saddening, even in the midst of the happiness of love. In "Sonnet 116," we see a more optimistic approach to love as the poet delights in the power of love. His poems illustrate the gamut of emotions we encounter when we fall in love but one thing is clear: there is no denying the existence of love. Through the deep waves of human emotion, Shakespeare finds a reason to write and these poems demonstrate his desire to communicate his feelings.
Works Cited
Greenblatt, Stephen. Will in the World. New York W.W. Norton and Company. 2004. Print.
Kay, Dennis. Shakespeare. New York: William Morrow Company. 1992. Print.
Parrott, Thomas. William Shakespeare: A Handbook. New York: Charles Scriber's Son. 1955.
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Rogoff, Jay. Review of Vendler, Helen. The art of Shakespeare's Sonnets. Skidmore College.
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Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 73." Shakespeare for Lovers. New York: Carol Publishing. 1963.
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