8. ‘Sonnet 116’ by William Shakespeare
Bio of the Poet
- William Shakespeare (1564–1616): The most renowned playwright and poet in English literature.
- Known for his sonnets, which often explore love, time, beauty, and immortality.
- ‘Sonnet 116’ is one of his best-known poems on the constancy of true love.
Detailed Summary
- The speaker asserts that true love is unchanging, even in the face of time or hardship.
- Love does not alter when circumstances change.
- It is described as a “fixed mark”, like a guiding star to lost ships.
- Love may be tested by time, but it endures to the end.
- The final couplet challenges the reader: if he is wrong, then no man has ever loved.
Main Themes
- True Love
- Constancy and Time
- Idealism vs. Reality
- Faith and Proof
Literary Analysis
- Form: Shakespearean sonnet (14 lines: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
- Tone: Confident, philosophical, romantic.
- Language:
- Metaphors: “ever-fixed mark,” “star to every wandering bark”
- Personification of Time as a sickle-wielding figure.
- Metaphors: “ever-fixed mark,” “star to every wandering bark”
- Structure: Builds a logical argument for love’s enduring nature, ending with a bold conclusion.
Main Message
- Shakespeare celebrates a timeless, unwavering form of true love.
- Love, if real, remains strong despite time, age, or challenge.
Expected Exam Questions
- How does Shakespeare define true love in Sonnet 116?
- Explore how the poet uses metaphor in the poem.
- How is the theme of time treated in the sonnet?
- Compare the view of love in ‘Sonnet 116’ with another poem you have studied.