Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare - Notes
The poet has personified the aspect of love.
PARAPHRASE:
The poet asks us not to let him accept any hindrance in the marriage of true lovers.
Then the poet explains many aspects of love. If love undergoes any changes in its aspects accordingly to suit any situation or if it takes off along with the one who wants to take it away then the poet declares that it is not a true one.
The poet then denies with an exclamation and explains that love is a sign of a permanent feeling forever that watches on violent storms without getting involved and destroyed; it and never trembles.
It is like a guiding star to the ships that move aimlessly referring to love as a guide to aimless persons. The poet says that like a star love can have definite dimensions but its worth or value is infinite or immeasurable.
Love is not at the mercy of time whereas the external appearance or physical beauty such as rosy lips and cheeks fall within the range or scope of time which is referred to the bending or curved blade of a sickle ( a short handled tool ).
Love does not change itself over short hours or weeks but it tolerates the difficulties with time and manages to survive till the doomsday.
The poet lastly concludes his poem with a strong challenge that if whatever he has said was wrong and if it is even proved upon him he promises that he will take back everything he had written on it and declares that nobody has ever loved if he is wrong which means that he is very much confident in his saying.
Notes:
1) Does not alter or get removed
2) Ever fixed mark
3) Guiding star
4) Not time bound
5)Challenge
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