Sonnet 116: The Text

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.

Quote: "Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds, / Or bends with the remover to remove."

This powerful opening statement sets the tone for the entire sonnet, asserting that true love remains constant despite changes or challenges.

Intention and Conclusion: The Power of Eternal Love

In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare's intentions are clear and profound:

1. To provide a definitive explanation of love's nature
2. To elucidate the power and importance of love
3. To illustrate love's value and effects on humanity
4. To use comparisons that emphasize love's crucial role in human existence
5. To convince the reader that love is the most significant, eternal force in life

Highlight: The sonnet's final couplet serves as a powerful conclusion, with Shakespeare staking his reputation as a writer on the truth of his words about love.

Through this sonnet, Shakespeare presents a compelling argument for love as an unwavering, eternal force that transcends time and change, offering a beacon of constancy in an ever-changing world.

Sources and Further Reading

For those interested in delving deeper into Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 and his other works, the following sources provide valuable information:

1. https://www.abipur.de/referate/stat/691875475.html
2. http://www.poemswithoutfrontiers.org/sonnet_116.html
3. https://www.grin.com/document/22635
4. http://www.deutsche-liebeslyrik.de/europaische_liebeslyrik/shakespeare/shakespeare_116.htm
5. https://knowunity.de/knows/englisch-shakespeare-overview-c8e460

These resources offer additional analysis, interpretations, and context for Shakespeare's sonnets and his broader body of work.

Vocabulary: Sonette Shakespeare Deutsch - German translations of Shakespeare's sonnets, which can provide interesting perspectives on the original English text.

Exploring these sources can enhance understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's poetic mastery and his enduring influence on literature and culture.