Sonnet 116

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Shakespeare's sonnet 116, first published in 1609, is at once one of his most romantic pieces as well as one of his most profound works, often quoted at weddings. It is commonly interpreted as the view that true love is unchanging, despite changing circumstances, such as the loss of beauty with old age--or even the loss of the other's affection. In this sense, the sonnet can be seen to be a commentary not only on romantic love, but on unconditional love, which does not depend upon reciprocation for its continuation. It may even be taken to suggest that true love survives betrayal and infidelity, or any other action on the part of the beloved which might tend to "remove" the love. If so, then it implies the long-suffering and forgiving nature of genuine love. These implications elevate the sonnet from the realm of merely romantic literature into the expression of a moral ideal. This is so whether or not the sentiments or ideals expressed in the sonnet are actually those of the author.

The 1995 film version of Sense and Sensibility uses this sonnet to demonstrate Marianne Dashwood's romantic notions about love. In the 1966 novel, Colossus, the sonnet is cited as the best written definition of love by the emotionless machine, Colossus.

[edit] Synopsis and Analysis

Lines seven and eight may require some explanation to those not familiar with the terms used: a bark, or barque, is a sailing vessel; and stars were used for navigation at sea, known as celestial navigation. Therefore, the star to a wandering bark is the fixed mark in the sky which can be relied upon for guidance. Thus love is the 'ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken'.

Line eight specifically has come in for varied analysis by a number of commentators. The worth gleaned from height has been seen by some as a reference to the elevation of the star used in navigation. An alternative explanation is that displacement of the ship may be used by some to gauge the value of the cargo aboard. The theme of sailing and ships is prevalent here, so the displacement of a ship to detail its worth is more likely than a star's height.

[edit] Commentary

The persona aims to describe to the reader the nature of love through what love is not, and uses techniques such as repetition and allusions to the Episcopal Book to do this. In the opening lines of the sonnet, the persona bids the reader to “Let me not to the marriage of true minds/ Admit impediments.” It is inevitable that we make a connection to the Episcopal Book, where it is stated, “…if either of you do know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, that ye confess it.” While it is important to recognize the significance of this allusion, in this sonnet the persona is using this reference mainly to emphasize the communion of two people through their common factor, love. The phrase "or bends with the remover to remove" implies, however, that true love continues even when it is not shared, when it is no longer a "common factor." True love, that is, is both unconditional and eternal.

The first line acts as a prologue for the poem and is followed by the main content of the sonnet. Shakespeare uses enjambment in the second line to create a sense of acceleration and move the reader away from the opening and into the depths of the poem. The persona goes on to say that true love will endure all obstacles, as is evident in the line, “or alters when it alteration finds,” where the use of repetition of “alter” connotes an instability of superficial love, which changes when faced with change. In the first quatrain, the persona aims to define love through what it is not, while in the next quatrain he defines love based on what it is: eternal and unconditional commitment.

The persona uses metaphorical comparison, personification and epithet very effectively in demonstrating the guiding, stable, determined nature of love. Shakespeare describes love as an “ever-fixed mark,/ that looks on tempest, and is never shaken;” The use of the epithet “ever-fixed” for mark creates and image of a solid wall of courage and determination in the face of a menacing ocean storm. A tempest means certain trouble to a sailor, but the courageous face of love does not falter in the presence of this intimidating image. The use of the phrase, “O no;” slows the pace of the poem and foreshadows the metaphor that is to follow. Love is presented as a guiding force through the use of the metaphor, “It is the star to every wandering bark.” The use of the verb “wandering” creates a sense of aimlessness and confusion the “barks,” or boats have, and the need for the North Star to guide them on their way. Whilst the image created by the word “star” is one of guidance, it also connotes a brilliance that love has as it shines about all else in the heavens above. In the sonnet love is effectively described as a guiding and courageous force, which is then succeeded by an image of eternality and endurance created after the volta.

It is important that Shakespeare makes reference to “fool,” given the socio-historical context in which this sonnet was written. As we see others of Shakespeare’s works, a fool is often a joker present only for the entertainment of nobility. In this sonnet, time is that nobility. Shakespeare wishes to create an image that love is not dependent or victim to the forces of external factors. In the line, “sickle’s compass come;” alliteration is used to echo the destructive forces of time. The harsh “c” sound is onomatopoeic and emphases the impeding nature of time. A sense beyond time and place is created in the lines leading up to the couplet, as the persona states that “Love alters not with his brief hour and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom.” Love in these lines is seen be an enduring force, and will persevere until “the edge of doom,” or Judgment Day, if not beyond. The long vowel sound in the verb “bears,” when juxtaposed with the harsher “c” sound of the lines before, emphasizes the eternal nature of love. The rhyming couplet of this sonnet is somewhat an anti-climax. For twelve lines the persona carefully defines and describes love by a variety of means, while the final two lines do not make any sort of profound suggestion. The final quasi-rhyming couplet is more a statement than a resolution, but nevertheless a bold one. The final couplet states, “If this be error, and upon me prov’d,/ I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d.” That is, those who know the fullness of love understand its eternal and unconditional nature. The emphatic statement at the end is thus a repudiation of all lesser conceptions of love, including a merely romantic conception.

This sonnet is recognized as one of the premier sonnets of William Shakespeare. The eloquent use of allusion and metaphorical imagery aid the dreamy purpose of personifying love and to show the knowledge of the author of the timelessness and power of love.

[edit] Sources

1. ^ Shakespeare's Sonnet 116