Introduction: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
Sonnet 116: “Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare first appeared in 1609 in the collection “Sonnets”. This sonnet is praised for its enduring qualities of love and commitment. The main idea is to assert that true love is steadfast and unchangeable, unaffected by time, distance, or external circumstances. Shakespeare emphasizes the enduring nature of love through metaphors and imagery, suggesting that it is a constant force that transcends the fleeting nature of life.
Text: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand’ring bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me prov’d,
I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d.
Annotations: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
| Line | Text | Annotation |
| 1 | Let me not to the marriage of true minds | Introduces the theme of true love and its enduring nature. |
| 2 | Admit impediments. | Implies that there should be no obstacles to true love. |
| 3 | Love is not love | Defines what true love is not: something that changes or weakens. |
| 4 | Which alters when it alteration finds, | Continues to define false love as something that changes in response to circumstances. |
| 5 | Or bends with the remover to remove. | Further emphasizes the idea that false love is easily influenced and swayed. |
| 6 | O no! it is an ever-fixed mark | Contrasts true love with false love, stating that it is unchanging and steadfast. |
| 7 | That looks on tempests and is never shaken; | Metaphorically compares true love to a fixed point that remains unaffected by storms or challenges. |
| 8 | It is the star to every wand’ring bark, | Similes true love to a guiding star for those who may be lost. |
| 9 | Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken. | Suggests that the value of true love is immeasurable, even if its physical manifestations are measured. |
| 10 | Love’s not Time’s fool, | Asserts that true love is not subject to the passage of time. |
| 11 | though rosy lips and cheeks | Acknowledges the physical aspects of love, but emphasizes that these are not essential to true love. |
| 12 | Within his bending sickle’s compass come; | Metaphorically refers to the aging process and the effects of time on physical appearance. |
| 13 | Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, | Reiterates the idea that true love is unaffected by the passage of time. |
| 14 | But bears it out even to the edge of doom. | Suggests that true love endures until the end of life or the world. |
| 15 | If this be error and upon me prov’d, | Challenges the reader to disprove the assertion that true love is enduring. |
| 16 | I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d. | Implies that if the poem’s assertion is false, then neither the poet nor anyone else has ever truly loved. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
| Literary/Poetic Device | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | Let me not to the marriage of true minds | Repetition of the initial ‘m’ sound in ‘marriage’ and ‘minds’. |
| Anaphora | Love is not love | Repetition of ‘Love is’ at the beginning of two lines. |
| Assonance | Love alters not with his brief hours | Repetition of vowel sound in ‘alters’ and ‘hours’. |
| Consonance | That looks on tempests and is never shaken | Repetition of consonant sound in ‘tempests’ and ‘never’. |
| Metaphor | It is the star to every wandering bark | Comparing love to a guiding star. |
| Simile | Love’s not Time’s fool | Love is compared to a servant of Time, though not directly. |
| Personification | Love’s not Time’s fool | Time is personified as a force that ages people, but cannot alter love. |
| Hyperbole | Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks | Exaggeration of love’s unchanging nature despite time. |
| Symbolism | It is the star to every wandering bark | The star symbolizes love’s constancy and guidance. |
| Enjambment | Or bends with the remover to remove | The thought runs over the end of the line into the next. |
| Iambic Pentameter | Throughout the entire sonnet | Each line follows an unstressed-stressed syllable pattern. |
| Volta | Line 9: ‘Love’s not Time’s fool…’ | Shift in the poem’s argument, from describing love to contrasting it with Time. |
| Imagery | That looks on tempests and is never shaken | Vivid description of love as a ‘fixed mark’ and ‘star’. |
| Allusion | Love’s not Time’s fool | Reference to classical notions of Time and love. |
| Irony | Though rosy lips and cheeks | It is ironic that time affects physical appearance, but not love. |
| Paradox | Love’s not Time’s fool | Contradictory statement that love is eternal despite Time’s effects. |
| Caesura | O no! it is an ever-fixed mark | Pause for emphasis before ‘O no!’. |
| Apostrophe | If this be error and upon me prov’d | Directly addressing the hypothetical reader or critic. |
| Epigram | If this be error and upon me prov’d | A brief, clever, and memorable statement. |
| Oxymoron | Love is not love which alters | Contradictory ideas: love’s permanence vs Time’s transient nature. |
Themes: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
- The Enduring Nature of True Love: In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare presents a powerful argument for the enduring nature of true love. He asserts that true love is a constant force that transcends time, distance, and external circumstances. Lines such as “Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds” and “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks” emphasize this theme, suggesting that true love is a fixed point that remains unshaken by life’s challenges. Unlike false love, which is easily influenced and swayed by external factors, true love is a steadfast and unwavering commitment.
- The Contrast Between True and False Love: The sonnet contrasts true love with false love, which is characterized by its dependence on external factors and its susceptibility to change. Lines like “Or bends with the remover to remove” and “Love’s not Time’s fool” highlight the difference between the steadfast nature of true love and the fleeting nature of false love. While false love may be influenced by physical beauty, social status, or other superficial factors, true love is based on a deep emotional connection that is not easily broken.
- The Power of Love to Transcend Physical Limitations: Shakespeare suggests that true love is not defined solely by physical attraction or beauty. Lines like “though rosy lips and cheeks / Within his bending sickle’s compass come” acknowledge the physical aspects of love but emphasize that these are not essential to its true nature. True love, the sonnet implies, is a spiritual connection that transcends the limitations of the physical world. It is a bond that is rooted in shared values, experiences, and a deep understanding of each other’s souls.
- The Assertion of Love’s Enduring Value: The sonnet concludes with a powerful assertion of love’s enduring value. Lines like “If this be error and upon me prov’d, / I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d” challenge the reader to disprove the poem’s claim that true love is a constant force. Shakespeare suggests that if his assertion is false, then neither he nor anyone else has ever truly loved. This bold statement underscores the importance of true love and its ability to withstand the test of time.
Literary Theories and “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
| Literary Theory | Explanation | Example/Lines from the Sonnet |
| Formalism/New Criticism | Focuses on the form, structure, and language of the poem without considering external context like the author’s biography or historical background. Formalists would analyze the sonnet’s use of rhyme, meter, and literary devices to convey meaning. | “Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds” – Formalists would analyze the structure of the line and how the repetition emphasizes the steadfastness of love. |
| Structuralism | Examines the underlying structures that shape the meaning of the text, including patterns, symbols, and binary oppositions. In “Sonnet 116”, one might analyze the binary oppositions of change vs. constancy and time vs. eternity. | “Love’s not Time’s fool” – The opposition between love and time serves as a structure to examine the eternal nature of love versus the transient nature of time. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | This theory explores the psychological motivations of characters and the subconscious desires or anxieties reflected in the text. In “Sonnet 116”, one could explore how love is portrayed as an idealized, almost unattainable state, reflecting human fears of loss and change. | “It is the star to every wand’ring bark” – The metaphor of love as a guiding star might be seen as a projection of the speaker’s desire for stability in a chaotic world, highlighting a deep-seated fear of emotional change. |
Critical Questions about “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
· How does Shakespeare define true love in Sonnet 116?
- Shakespeare defines true love as unwavering, constant, and immune to external changes. In the sonnet, he emphasizes that real love does not alter when circumstances shift. He states, “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds” (line 3), meaning that true love remains constant, even when faced with difficulties or changes in the beloved. He further describes love as an “ever-fixed mark” (line 5), symbolizing its immutability, and compares it to a guiding star that helps ships navigate, suggesting that love guides us through life’s challenges. The constancy of true love is contrasted with time and physical decay, reinforcing the idea that love transcends the temporary.
· What is the significance of time in the sonnet, and how does it relate to love?
- Time plays a crucial role in the sonnet as a force that can diminish physical beauty and alter the world, yet it is depicted as powerless against true love. Shakespeare acknowledges that time affects human beings, as seen in “rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle’s compass come” (line 9-10), where the sickle represents time’s ability to bring about aging and mortality. However, love is not susceptible to the ravages of time. He claims, “Love’s not Time’s fool” (line 9), suggesting that while time may change appearances, it cannot alter true love. This contrast between love and time highlights love’s endurance, even in the face of inevitable decay and death.
· How does Shakespeare use metaphor to convey the nature of love?
- Shakespeare employs metaphors throughout the sonnet to depict love as both a constant and a guiding force. One of the most prominent metaphors is “It is the star to every wandering bark” (line 7), comparing love to a fixed star that helps lost ships (barks) navigate. This metaphor suggests that love is a source of direction and stability, guiding individuals through life’s tumultuous seas. Another powerful metaphor is “an ever-fixed mark” (line 5), which evokes the image of a lighthouse or immovable landmark, symbolizing love’s unshakeable presence even in the face of challenges (“tempests”). These metaphors underscore love’s steadfast, eternal qualities.
· What role does the speaker’s assertion of personal authority play in the sonnet’s argument about love?
- The speaker ends the sonnet with a bold declaration of his personal conviction about love, stating, “If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved” (lines 13-14). This assertion serves to emphasize the speaker’s confidence in his understanding of love’s true nature. By placing his reputation as a writer and his authority on the line, he strengthens his argument that love is eternal and unchangeable. The final couplet is not only a reaffirmation of the sonnet’s main theme but also an act of personal accountability, as the speaker stakes his credibility on the belief that his description of love is accurate, suggesting that any contradiction would invalidate his life’s work.
Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
- “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell: Both poems explore the enduring nature of love and the passage of time.
- “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: Both works grapple with the complexities of human relationships and the fear of aging.
- “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats: Both poems celebrate the enduring power of art and beauty, even in the face of time’s ravages.
- “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe: Both poems celebrate the enduring power of love, even in the face of death.
Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments” | The opening line declares that nothing should stand in the way of true love. | Formalism: Focuses on the structure of the sentence, where “marriage” becomes a metaphor for unity. |
| “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds” | This line states that true love does not change when external circumstances change. | Structuralism: Examines the binary opposition of constancy vs. change to define love’s permanence. |
| “Or bends with the remover to remove” | Suggests that love does not waver even when someone tries to take it away. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Could reflect the fear of abandonment or the anxiety about love’s stability. |
| “O no! it is an ever-fixed mark” | Describes love as an unchanging point, like a lighthouse guiding through a storm. | Formalism: Focuses on metaphor and how it shapes the concept of love as constant and unyielding. |
| “That looks on tempests and is never shaken” | Love remains steadfast even in the face of adversity and emotional turmoil. | New Criticism: Analyzes the imagery of storms to signify emotional challenges in relationships. |
| “It is the star to every wand’ring bark” | Love is compared to a star that guides lost ships. | Structuralism: Focuses on the symbol of the star, representing love as a guiding and stable force. |
| “Love’s not Time’s fool” | Time does not govern true love, despite its effects on physical beauty and youth. | Historical Criticism: Could be interpreted in the context of Elizabethan notions of time and fate. |
| “Though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle’s compass come” | Acknowledges that physical beauty fades under the influence of time, but love remains. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Represents the human fear of aging and decay, contrasting with the endurance of love. |
| “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks” | Time is portrayed as fleeting, while love endures beyond it. | New Criticism: Focuses on the dichotomy between the ephemeral nature of time and the permanence of love. |
| “If this be error and upon me prov’d, I never writ, nor no man ever lov’d” | The concluding couplet emphasizes the speaker’s certainty about the nature of true love. | Deconstruction: Examines the self-referential nature of the final statement, questioning meaning and truth. |
Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 116: Let Me Not to The Marriage of True Minds” by William Shakespeare
- Neely, Carol Thomas. “Detachment and Engagement in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: 94, 116, and 129.” PMLA, vol. 92, no. 1, 1977, pp. 83–95. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/461416. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
- Roessner, Jane. “The Coherence and the Context of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116.” The Journal of English and Germanic Philology, vol. 81, no. 3, 1982, pp. 331–46. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27709024. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
- Emerson, Oliver Farrar. “Shakespeare’s Sonneteering.” Studies in Philology, vol. 20, no. 2, 1923, pp. 111–36. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4171848. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
- MATZ, ROBERT. “THE SCANDALS OF SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS.” ELH, vol. 77, no. 2, 2010, pp. 477–508. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40664640. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.