Changing the way you learn

Sonnet 116

Structure
1. The sonnet has 14 lines, divided into three stanzas of four lines each and a final couplet.
2. The rhyme scheme is: a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g
3. This sonnet follows the normal structure of a sonnet which is to change the mood at the end of the sonnet using a rhyming couplet.
Attitudes, themes, ideas
1. love is a mysterious force "Whose worth's unknown", implying love is priceless
2. Love is constant- metaphor "star"
  1. love, like the stars in the night sky, can be observed across the globe throughout time. Love is not restricted by time or place, but exists above all considerations.
3. The traditional idea of love and time being enemies is explored briefly in Sonnet 116. Shakespeare is clear about the positive virtues of love: even when the "rosy lips and cheeks of youth" fall victim to Time's "sickle"
Language
1. uses repeated pairs of words: "love is not love", "alters when it alteration finds" and "remover to remove"
  1. These repeated words suggest that they are a loving couple
2. metaphors based on natural elements, suggesting that love is natural and an essential part of life.
  1. "is the star to every wand'ring bark" it's a fixed point of light in the sky - a "star" - guiding a boat ("wand'ring bark") lost at sea.
3. There are some opposites and negatives used to stress the qualities of love by saying what it is not: true love can observe storms ("tempests") and not be affected; "Love's not Time's fool".
4. The opening lines of the poem follow the christian marriage vows ("the marriage of true minds")
  1. They also stress the idea that love should be without "impediments". Meaning true love should be without fault.
5. "bears it out even to the edge of doom" This suggests that love will always win over "doom" (something bad)
comparison
1. To his coy mistress
2. Sonnet 43

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Sonnet 116

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	Created by lukevincent about 11 years ago