Summary of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116

• Theme: Constancy of true love.
• Key Lines:
  • "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."
  • Love is depicted as an unchanging force, unaffected by time.
• Imagery:
  • Love is compared to a star and an ever-fixed mark.
• Negatives Used:
  • The poet employs negatives to emphasize the permanence of love.
• Phrases Explained:
  • His bending sickle's compass: Refers to time's limitations on beauty.
  • Time's fool: Suggests that love is not subject to the whims of time.
• Structure:
  • The poem is a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme.

Notes on Shakespeare's Sonnet 116

Overview of the Poem

• Title: Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds
• Author: William Shakespeare
• Type: Shakespearean sonnet

Theme

• Constancy is the central theme of the poem.
  • Words, phrases, and images that suggest this theme include:
    • "ever-fixed mark"
    • "star to every wandering bark"
    • "bears it out even to the edge of doom"

Analysis Questions

1. Negatives in the Poem
   • Why does the poet use many 'negatives' to make his statement?
2. Implication of the Line
   • What does the line 'I never writ, nor no man ever loved' imply?
3. Love as a Subject
   • How is love presented as the subject or doer of actions in the poem?
4. Phrase Explanations
   • a. his bending sickle's compass
   • b. Time's fool

Suggested Reading

• Poem: "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day" by William Shakespeare

About the Poet

• William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
  • Renowned poet and dramatist of the English language.
  • Born in Stratford-on-Avon, established his reputation in London.
  • Authored 154 sonnets, published in 1602, and 37 plays.

Common Mistakes and Exam Tips

Common Pitfalls

• Misunderstanding the theme of the poem, which is 'Constancy'. Ensure to identify words, phrases, and images that suggest this theme.
• Overlooking the significance of the poet's use of negatives in statements. Reflect on why these are employed.
• Misinterpreting the line 'I never writ, nor no man ever loved'. Consider its implications carefully.
• Failing to recognize love as the subject or doer of actions in the poem. Analyze how this affects the portrayal of love.
• Not fully explaining phrases such as 'his bending sickle's compass' and 'Time's fool'. Be prepared to discuss their meanings.

Tips

• When analyzing a sonnet, familiarize yourself with its structure and variations by comparing it to other sonnets.
• Pay attention to the language and imagery used in the poem to deepen your understanding of its themes.