Shakespeare\'s Sonnet 116 William Shakespeare\'s

¶ … Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116"

William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116" is one of the most beautiful poems about love there is. For those in love and everyone else, there is no mistaking the poet's opinion that true love is everything good and true. True love is a positive connection between to people that withstands the test of time and any hurdles that may come along the way. Through utilizing metaphors, symbolism, and imagery, Shakespeare successfully presents love as one of the most precious gifts in the world.

Sonnet 116" is packed with positive statements. From the very beginning, the poet establishes a metaphor of love, stating that is it a "marriage of true minds" (Shakespeare 1). He also states that he does not want to "admit impediments" (2) when it comes to this love. He is touching on the old idea of lovers being "soul mates." This is significant because without this connection between two lovers, love would not grow as deep. In other words, the lovers involved must feel the same about each other in order for them to reap the full benefits of what being in love has to offer. This statement sets the mood for the entire poem in that it illustrates what it takes for love to grow - a marriage of two minds that understand each other.

Another thing that the poet is sure about is the strength of love and he uses metaphors and symbols to prove his point. His statement that "Love is not love/Which alters when it alterations find" (2-3) is an assertion that true love never alters. In other words, it lasts through all trials and tests. It is also an "ever-fixed mark,/That looks on tempests, and is never shaken" (5-6). Here we have symbolism, which the poet utilizes to emphasize the strength of love. For example, the ever-fixed mark could be landmarks that the poet uses as a guide. Using the same idea, love is something that never changes and nothing can cause love to waver. In addition, the poet claims that love is the "star to every wandering bark" (7). Love is the star and the bark could be a small ship sailing at sea. Love is such a constant that the ships could use it as a compass. Through metaphor and symbolism, the poet is showing us an optimistic view of love - one that does not change and one that can stand any tests. Love is stable enough to be used as a compass.

The poet wants us to realize the significance of love's strength. He spends a great deal of time explaining this to us with imagery and symbolism. Love looks upon "tempests" (6) - the possible hurdles that lovers may encounter - and is "never shaken" (6) by them. It is important to note that the poet does not believe that love is always happy and easy. He is not foolish enough tot think that tough times will come. He knows that love will encounter difficulties but he is confident that it will survive. He also says, love is not "Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks/Within his bending sickle compass come" (9-10). Here we have more metaphors that help us understand the poet's point-of-view. Many might be under the impression that time will make a mockery of love or it might be construed as a metaphor for death. The second connection makes more sense - especially when we consider how the poet uses the word sickle in the same couplet.

With either interpretation, we move toward the same notion being that love is tough enough to conquer mockery or death. For our poet, there is no doubt that love is strong. It will endure any obstacles, including the "edge of doom" (12). This is the strongest symbol the poet gives us because it means that love will outlast time. Love is nothing if it is not strong. In addition, love can instill a sense of confidence that is beyond measure. It makes us feel as though we can conquest anything as long as we have our beloved with us. The poet feels so strongly about his notion regarding love that if his can be proven wrong, then he must have never written a word and no one has ever been in love.