The definition of love provided by Sonnet 116 makes this poem one of the most cited and anthologized in the entire poetic canon. Shakespeare presents the reader with his conception of love in its most ideal form. The main idea put forth in 116 is that ideal love is constant and permanent; that it never alters, either with changing circumstances (first quatrain), difficulties (second quatrain) or with time (third quatrain). The final rhyming couplet makes a defensive challenge to any reader who might want to contest this view of love, and the poet stakes his own poetry as his wager that love is exactly as he has described it. In spite of Shakespeare’s challenge, some scholars - notably Carol Neely - have detected a gradual ‘deterioration’ throughout the course of the poem in the poet’s representation of ideal love, suggesting that the poet, deep down, has reservations about the enduring quality of love. It is this view which I seek to contest.
Table of Contents
- Shakespeare's Sonnet 116: A Definition of Love
- Allusion to the Marriage Service
- What Love Is Not
- Love as an Ever-Fixed Mark and a Guiding Star
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this text is to analyze Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, focusing on its definition of love and exploring its use of imagery and allusions. The analysis delves into the poem's structure and meaning, examining how Shakespeare presents ideal love as constant, unwavering, and impervious to change.
- Shakespeare's definition of ideal love
- The use of imagery and metaphors in the sonnet
- Allusions to the Marriage Service and nautical imagery
- The concept of love as constant and unwavering
- The poem's structure and its contribution to meaning
Chapter Summaries
Shakespeare's Sonnet 116: A Definition of Love: This section provides an overview of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, highlighting its status as one of the most frequently cited and anthologized poems. It introduces the poem's central idea: the unwavering and permanent nature of true love, impervious to external changes, difficulties, and the passage of time. The section also notes contrasting interpretations, acknowledging some scholars who see a potential deterioration in the poet's representation of ideal love throughout the sonnet, a view which the analysis will contest. The impersonal nature of the sonnet, presenting a generalized concept rather than a personal address to a beloved, is discussed in the context of other similar sonnets by Shakespeare.
Allusion to the Marriage Service: This section examines the sonnet's opening lines, which allude to the Marriage Service in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The allusion to "impediments" in the marriage context establishes an initial framework for understanding true love as sanctioned and supported by the institution of marriage. This earthly context provides a foundation for exploring the more metaphorical aspects of the poem's depiction of love as an "ever-fixed mark" and a "star," grounding the abstract concept within a relatable, societal institution. The author uses this allusion to support the idea that true love is approved of within the institution of marriage.
What Love Is Not: This section analyzes the sonnet's definition of love through negation. By stating what love is *not*—something that alters with changing circumstances or bends under pressure—the poem emphasizes the steadfast and unchanging nature of true love. The use of mirrored words and balanced lines highlights the reciprocal and harmonious nature of the loving relationship. The deliberate use of caesura adds emphasis to the negative definition, highlighting the importance of its contrast with the positive definition that follows. The section argues that the poem's structure itself mirrors this idea of reciprocal love through its mirroring structure.
Love as an Ever-Fixed Mark and a Guiding Star: This section delves into the poem's central metaphors: the "ever-fixed mark" and the "guiding star." The "ever-fixed mark," likened to a lighthouse, embodies the steadfastness and resilience of true love, unyielding in the face of life's storms. The "guiding star," the North Star, further reinforces the idea of love as a reliable and constant guide, offering protection and direction. The consistent use of nautical imagery strengthens the concept of love as a source of unwavering strength and guidance. The assertive vocabulary and accentuated monosyllables used here contribute to the idea of love as a powerful life force.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Sonnet 116, love, marriage, metaphor, imagery, constancy, steadfastness, resilience, North Star, lighthouse, ideal love, permanence, change.
Shakespeare's Sonnet 116: A Deep Dive - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of this analysis of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116?
The primary goal is to thoroughly analyze Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, focusing on its unique definition of love. The analysis explores the poem's masterful use of imagery and allusions, delving into its structure and meaning to understand how Shakespeare portrays ideal love as unwavering and resistant to change.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis centers on Shakespeare's definition of ideal love; the skillful use of imagery and metaphors; allusions to the Marriage Service and nautical imagery; the concept of love as constant and unchanging; and the poem's structure and its contribution to the overall meaning.
What are the main points covered in the "Shakespeare's Sonnet 116: A Definition of Love" section?
This section introduces Sonnet 116, highlighting its widespread recognition and anthologizing. It establishes the poem's central theme: the unwavering and permanent nature of true love, impervious to time and hardship. It also acknowledges contrasting interpretations, particularly regarding the potential deterioration of the poet's representation of love, a view the analysis refutes. The impersonal nature of the sonnet, presenting a generalized concept, is also discussed.
How does the analysis interpret the allusion to the Marriage Service?
The analysis examines the opening lines' allusions to the Marriage Service in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. This connection establishes true love as sanctioned and supported by the institution of marriage, providing a relatable framework for understanding the poem's more metaphorical aspects. The author uses this allusion to highlight how true love finds approval within the institution of marriage.
How does the section "What Love Is Not" contribute to the overall understanding of the poem?
This section defines love through negation. By stating what love is *not* (something altered by circumstances or pressure), the poem emphasizes true love's steadfast nature. The use of mirrored words and balanced lines highlights the reciprocal and harmonious nature of the relationship. The deliberate use of caesura emphasizes the negative definition, contrasting it with the positive definition that follows. The analysis argues that the poem's structure mirrors this reciprocal love.
How are the metaphors of "ever-fixed mark" and "guiding star" interpreted?
The "ever-fixed mark," likened to a lighthouse, represents the steadfastness and resilience of true love. The "guiding star" (North Star) reinforces love as a reliable and constant guide. The nautical imagery strengthens the concept of love as unwavering strength and guidance. The assertive vocabulary and accentuated monosyllables further emphasize love as a powerful life force.
What are the key words associated with this analysis of Sonnet 116?
Key words include: Shakespeare, Sonnet 116, love, marriage, metaphor, imagery, constancy, steadfastness, resilience, North Star, lighthouse, ideal love, permanence, and change.
- Quote paper
- Professor Vivienne Suvini-Hand (Author), 2022, Shakespeare's Sonnet 116: Blemished love?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1278212
