Line-by-line explanation of the poem

Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments

This means that the speaker doesn’t want to acknowledge any obstacles that could
come in the way of a true and deep bond between two people.

Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds,

If love changes when situations change, then it’s not real love.

Or bends with the remover to remove.

If love ends just because someone wants it to end, then it’s not true love.

O no, it is an ever-fixed mark

Real love is like a permanent mark that doesn’t change.

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

True love can face any challenges (tempests) and still remain firm and unshaken.

It is the star to every wand’ring bark,

The speaker compares love to a guiding star (pole star) for every lost ship, meaning
love can guide us when we’re lost.

Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.

The value of love (like the pole star) can’t be measured, even though we can
measure its position.

Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending
sickle’s compass come,
Love isn’t fooled by time. Even though physical beauty (like rosy lips and cheeks)
can fade with time (represented by the sickle), love remains constant.

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

Love doesn’t change with the passing of time.

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

True love lasts until the end of time.

If this be error and upon me proved,

If someone can prove that what the speaker is saying about love is wrong,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Then the speaker is saying that he has never written anything, and no one has ever
truly loved (another way of seeing it is that since Shakespeare has written much,
what he is saying is true and cannot be proved otherwise).

Glossary/word meaning

Marriage of true minds: This phrase refers to a deep, spiritual union or bond
between two people. It’s not about a physical or legal marriage, but about a
connection of souls or minds.

Admit impediments: To admit something is to acknowledge or accept it.

Impediments are obstacles or barriers. So, to “admit impediments” means to
acknowledge that there are obstacles or barriers.

Alters when it alteration finds: This means changes when it encounters changes.
In the context of the poem, it refers to love that changes or fades when
circumstances change.
Bends with the remover to remove: This means that love ends or disappears just
because someone wants to end it.

Ever-fixed mark: This refers to something that is permanent and unchanging. In

the context of the poem, it’s a metaphor for true love.

Tempests: Storms, often used metaphorically to refer to difficulties or challenges.

Wand’ring bark: A wandering ship. In the poem, it’s a metaphor for a person
who is lost or unsure.

Time’s fool: Someone who is tricked or controlled by time. In the poem, it refers
to the idea that love is not fooled or controlled by time.

Rosy lips and cheeks: This is a symbol of youth and beauty.

His bending sickle’s compass come: This is a reference to Time, often personified
as an old man with a sickle (a curved blade). The “bending sickle’s compass”
refers to the reach or range of Time’s sickle, symbolizing the passage of time and
its effects.

Summary of the poem

Sonnet 116 is all about what true love is and what it isn’t. The poet, Shakespeare,
starts by saying that he doesn’t want to admit that there are any obstacles that can
come in the way of a deep and real connection between two people.

He says that if love changes when situations change, or if it ends just because
someone wants it to end, then it’s not real love. According to him, real love is like
a permanent mark that doesn’t change, no matter what. It’s like a guiding star for
someone who’s lost, and its value can’t be measured.

Shakespeare also says that love isn’t fooled by time. Even though physical beauty
can fade with time, love remains constant. It doesn’t change with the passing of
time, and it lasts until the end of the world.
He says that if someone can prove that what he’s saying about love is wrong, then
he’s never written anything, and no one has ever truly loved. This is Shakespeare’s
way of saying that he’s really confident about his definition of true love.

Critical analysis of the poem

The main idea of this poem is that true love is strong and doesn’t change.
Shakespeare says that if love changes or ends, it wasn’t real love in the first place.
He believes that real love lasts forever and doesn’t change, even when things get
tough.

Shakespeare uses a lot of comparisons and creates pictures in our minds to explain
his ideas about love. He compares love to a “marriage of true minds,” which means
a deep connection between two people. He also says love is like a mark that
doesn’t move or a star that guides lost ships, showing that love is constant and
helps guide us. He talks about Time’s “bending sickle,” which is like a tool that
can cut down all things but cannot destroy love.

This poem is a sonnet, a type of poem that has 14 lines. It has three parts (each
with four lines) and ends with two lines that rhyme. This structure helps
Shakespeare build his argument about love.

The words Shakespeare uses are deep but also easy to understand. He sounds very
sure of himself when he talks about love, which shows how strongly he believes in
what he’s saying.

Many people like this poem because it gives a hopeful and beautiful picture of
what love can be. Some people think Shakespeare’s view of love is too perfect and
doesn’t consider how complicated love can be. But, many people still love this
poem because it talks about love in a way that everyone can relate to.

Themes of the poem

True Love: The main theme of this poem is true love. Shakespeare describes true
love as something that is constant and unchanging. It doesn’t alter when situations
change, and it doesn’t end just because someone wants it to end.
Time and Eternity: Another theme is the relationship between love and time.
According to Shakespeare, true love isn’t affected by time. Even though physical
beauty can fade with time, true love remains the same. It lasts until the end of time.

Obstacles and Challenges: The poem also talks about the challenges that love can
face. But no matter what obstacles come its way, true love remains strong and
unshaken. It’s like a star that guides lost ships, showing that love can guide us
through difficult times.

Truth and Proof: The final theme is about truth and proof. Shakespeare is so sure
about his definition of love that he says if anyone can prove him wrong, then he’s
never written anything, and no one has ever truly loved. This shows how confident
he is in his understanding of love.

Figure of speech

Metaphor: A metaphor is when you describe something by saying it is something

else. For example, in the line “It is the star to every wand’ring bark,” Shakespeare
is using a metaphor. He’s not saying that love is an actual star, but that it’s like a
star guiding a lost ship (the ‘wand’ring bark’).

Personification: This is when you give human qualities to something that isn’t
human. When Shakespeare writes “Love’s not Time’s fool,” he’s giving human
qualities to both Love and Time. He’s saying that Love isn’t fooled by Time, as if
they were people.

Hyperbole: This is when you exaggerate to make a point. In the line “But bears it
out even to the edge of doom,” Shakespeare is using hyperbole. He’s exaggerating
to say that love lasts until the end of the world.

Alliteration: This is when the same sound starts each word in a series. In the line
“Which alters when it alteration finds,” the repetition of the ‘a’ sound in ‘alters’
and ‘alteration’ is an example of alliteration.

Paradox: This is a statement that seems to contradict itself but still seems true. In
the line “Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds,” Shakespeare is
using a paradox. He’s saying that love isn’t really love if it changes when it finds
changes. It sounds contradictory, but it makes sense when you think about it.
About the author

William Shakespeare was a famous writer and actor from England. He lived during
a time called the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages, which was a really important time
for theatre in Britain. Even though Shakespeare is best known for his plays, he also
wrote a lot of poems that people still love today.

Shakespeare’s dad was named John, and his mom was named Mary. They had
eight kids, and William was the oldest son. John worked making gloves, but he
was also an important person in their town, Stratford. When William was 18, he
married a woman named Anne Hathaway, and they had three kids together.

Shakespeare started his career in a city called London. By 1592, he was pretty
famous there. The first things he published were two long poems, “Venus and
Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece”. He was also one of the founding members of
a group of actors called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Shakespeare wrote a lot of
plays for this group, about two plays a year, for almost twenty years. He stayed
with this group for his whole career, and it later became known as The King’s Men
when King James I became their patron in 1603.

In total, Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, 2 long poems, 154 sonnets, and some other
poems. Unfortunately, none of the original copies of Shakespeare’s plays have
survived to this day. We only have about half of his plays because some of the
actors from his company saved them.

Shakespeare’s work is still really important and popular. His plays, sonnets, and
other poems have been collected into books called “The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare”. He’s one of the most important writers in the English
language.

One of his poems, Sonnet 116, was first published in 1609. It’s a good example of
the kind of sonnets Shakespeare wrote. In this poem, Shakespeare says that he
doesn’t object to true love, but he believes that love isn’t real if it changes over
time. According to him, real love is constant and doesn’t change, no matter what
happens. He ends the poem by saying that if he’s wrong about love, then no one
has ever really loved.

Workbook solutions/answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(i) Each quatrain in the poem has ________ lines.

Answer: (a) 4 lines.

(ii) The poem concludes on a note of ________

Answer: (b) certainty.

(iii) What kind of love is the subject of this poem?

Answer: (c) spiritual love.

(iv) Which of these statements is NOT true?

Answer: (c) Time is viewed as a fool in the poem.

(v) ‘Love’s not Time’s fool’. Which literary device is used here?

Answer: (c) metaphor.

(vi) Which of these is personified in the poem?

Answer: (b) time.

(vi) Which quality of the pole star is akin to that found in true love?

Answer: (c) its constancy.

(viii) In the last line the poet seems to issue ___________

Answer: (a) a challenge.

(ix) In Line 6 tempests signify _________

Answer: (b) great obstacles.

(x) Choose the correct statement in the context of these two statements.
Statement 1: The pole star still guide the ships in the sea.
Statement 2: True love is compared to the pole star because of its constancy.

Answer: (a) Both the statements are true.

Logic-based questions

(i) The poet has compared true love with a pole star because ______________

Answer: the pole star is a consistent and unchanging point in the night sky, much
like true love is constant and unchanging.

(ii) According to the poet, love is not dependent on time because

______________

Answer: true love does not alter with the passing hours and weeks. It remains
steadfast and enduring, even to the edge of doom.

(iii) ‘Sonnet 116’ can be considered a romantic lyric because ______________

Answer: it eloquently expresses deep and personal feelings about the nature of
true love, which is a common theme in romantic poetry.

(iv) False love is undependable because ______________

Answer: it changes and alters when it finds alteration, meaning that it is not
constant or stable like true love is.

(v) Time has been personified as a grim reaper because ______________

Answer: it is depicted with a ‘bending sickle,’ a tool traditionally associated with

the reaper, who represents death and the passing of time.
(vi) The poet emphasises that if whatever he had said is proved to be wrong it
means that he is not a good writer because ______________

Answer: his whole work and beliefs are centered on the constancy and power of
love, and if this proved incorrect, his entire body of work would be undermined.

(vii) True love is not restricted to this life because ______________

Answer: it “bears it out even to the edge of doom.” The love Shakespeare
describes here is eternal, surviving even the end of life.

(viii) True love is compared to a light-house since ______________

Answer: like a lighthouse, true love is an ‘ever-fixed mark’ that remains constant
and unshaken, even amidst the tempests and storms of life.

(ix) The poet has concluded the poem with a rhyming couplet because
______________

Answer: it provides a summary of the poem’s central idea and offers a sense of
finality and closure to the piece. It also emphasizes the challenge that the poet puts
forth, in a concise and memorable way.

(x) Time with ‘a bending sickle’ represent a reaper because ______________

Answer: in traditional imagery, a reaper uses a sickle to cut down crops,

symbolizing the end of life or the passage of time. Shakespeare uses this imagery
to illustrate the destructive power of time.

Short answer questions

(i) Discuss the nature of love as enunciated by the poet.

Answer: The nature of love as enunciated by the poet in Sonnet 116 is one of
constancy and endurance. The poet asserts that true love does not change or fade
with time or external pressures. He metaphorically presents love as an ‘ever-fixed
mark’ and a guiding star that remains steadfast amidst storms, serving as a
consistent beacon for lost sailors. Love, according to the poet, is not susceptible to
time’s destructive force; instead, it resists change even ‘to the edge of doom.’

(ii) Discuss the form and structure of the poem.

Answer: The form and structure of the poem is that of a Shakespearean sonnet,
which typically consists of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef
gg). The poem is divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet. Each line
is written in iambic pentameter, a common metrical form in English verse that
consists of five iambic feet per line

(iii) Which form of love does the poet have in mind in this poem? Elaborate.

Answer: The poet seems to have in mind a form of love that transcends the
physical or temporal realm. This can be regarded as spiritual or eternal love. The
‘marriage of true minds’ mentioned in the opening line suggests a deep, intellectual
connection that goes beyond physical or fleeting attractions. The poet repeatedly
emphasizes the constancy and unchanging nature of this type of love, further
reinforcing its spiritual or eternal quality.

(iv) Comment on the concluding lines :

‘If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
Explain in the context of the poem.

Answer: In the concluding lines, the poet offers a challenge or a statement of

conviction. If his portrayal of love can be proven wrong, then he claims he has
never written anything (implying all his works are false), and that no man has ever
truly loved. In the context of the poem, these lines serve to emphasize the certainty
and conviction with which the poet views his portrayal of love, effectively
reinforcing the immutability and constancy of true love.

(v) Write a note on the imagery used in the poem.

Answer: The imagery in the poem is both rich and powerful. The poet uses
nautical imagery, likening true love to a ‘star to every wandering bark,’ suggesting
it as a guiding force in turbulent times. Another poignant image is that of Time
personified as a reaper with a ‘bending sickle,’ a symbol of mortality and the
passing of life. Despite Time’s power, love remains undeterred, further
emphasizing its eternal nature.

(vi) Why does the poet compare true love to a pole star? What importance
does the comparison hold in our times?

Answer: The poet compares true love to a pole star because, like the star, love
serves as a constant guide, never altering its position regardless of the changing
circumstances. In the context of our times, this comparison holds significant
importance as it underscores the enduring nature of love amidst the rapidly
changing and often turbulent modern world. It serves as a reminder that, much like
the pole star, true love should remain unchanging and constant, providing guidance
and stability in the face of adversity and change.

Long answer questions

(i) True love, as visualized in ‘Sonnet 116’ by Shakespeare, is an ideal form of

love. Discuss with close reference to the text.

Answer: True love, as visualized in ‘Sonnet 116’ by Shakespeare, is indeed

presented as an ideal form of love, characterized by its constancy and unyielding
strength. Shakespeare paints a picture of love as an “ever-fixed mark” that remains
unchanged, even in the face of significant obstacles or shifts in circumstances. This
love is compared to a star that guides “every wandering bark,” an image that
further enhances its status as constant and unwavering. The ideal nature of this
love is also emphasized in its resilience against time; while physical beauty may
fade with time, true love is not “Time’s fool” and does not alter with time’s “brief
hours and weeks.” Finally, Shakespeare boldly states that this love “bears it out
even to the edge of doom,” suggesting that true love endures not just for a lifetime,
but beyond, into eternity. Such a depiction elevates true love to a grand, almost
divine status, aligning it with the enduring and unchangeable forces of nature and
the universe.
(ii) Comment on the significance of the line in modern context ‘Love’s not
Time’s fool’.

Answer: The line ‘Love’s not Time’s fool’ holds significant relevance in today’s
context. The modern era, with its fast-paced and ever-changing nature, can often
place enormous pressure on relationships. However, this line from the sonnet
serves as a reminder that genuine love isn’t swayed or undermined by the passage
of time. Whether it be aging, changing circumstances, or the trials and tribulations
of life, true love remains constant and enduring. This concept can encourage
modern readers to strive for relationships based on deep understanding,
commitment, and a connection that transcends the superficial and temporal aspects
of love, such as physical attractiveness or temporary infatuations.

(iii) The glorification of love in the sonnet seems to be exaggerated. Do you

think so? Give reasons to justify your viewpoint.

Answer: The glorification of love in the sonnet might seem exaggerated to some
readers, mainly because the depiction of love is so ideal and unwavering. However,
it’s essential to remember that Shakespeare is discussing ‘true love’ in its purest,
most profound form. The sonnet attempts to separate true love from other forms of
affection or infatuation, which are more susceptible to change and disruption. It is
this love, constant and unshakeable, that the poet lauds. Although it might seem
lofty or unattainable, it serves as a benchmark, a paradigm of how profound and
enduring love can be. Moreover, the sonnet can also be seen as an exploration or
contemplation on the nature of love rather than a definitive guide to it. Hence,
while it’s opulent in its portrayal, it might not be accurate to deem it exaggerated,
as it serves the intended purpose of exploring the ideal qualities of love.

Additional questions and answers

1. What does the speaker mean by “the marriage of true minds”?

Answer: The “marriage of true minds” refers to a deep, spiritual connection or

bond between two people. It’s not about a physical or legal marriage, but about a
connection of souls or minds.

2. How does the speaker describe true love in the poem?

Answer: The speaker describes true love as unchanging and constant. It doesn’t
alter when situations change, and it doesn’t end just because someone wants it to
end. It’s like a permanent mark that can withstand any storm and guide lost ships.

3. What does the speaker mean by “Love’s not Time’s fool”?

Answer: The speaker means that true love isn’t fooled or affected by time. Even
though physical beauty can fade with time, true love remains the same.

4. What does the speaker say about love and time in the line “Love alters not
with his brief hours and weeks”?

Answer: The speaker is saying that true love doesn’t change with the passing of
time. It remains constant and enduring.

5. What does the speaker mean in the final two lines of the poem?

Answer: In the final two lines, the speaker is saying that if anyone can prove him
wrong about his definition of love, then he’s never written anything, and no one
has ever truly loved. This shows his strong belief in his understanding of love.

6. What is the overall message of Sonnet 116?

Answer: The overall message of Sonnet 116 is that true love is constant,
unchanging, and eternal. It’s not affected by time or circumstances, and it endures
until the end of time.

7. How does Shakespeare use metaphor and imagery to convey his

understanding of love in Sonnet 116?

Answer: Shakespeare uses a variety of metaphors and imagery to express his

understanding of love. He describes love as an “ever-fixed mark,” suggesting that
it is constant and unchanging. He also compares love to a star guiding a lost ship,
indicating that love provides guidance and direction. These metaphors help to
create a vivid picture of love as something steadfast, reliable, and unchanging. The
imagery of the “tempests” and “Time’s bending sickle” further emphasize the
enduring nature of love, suggesting that it can withstand any storm or the passage
of time.

8. How does Shakespeare’s portrayal of love in Sonnet 116 reflect the societal
and cultural context of the Elizabethan era?

Answer: During the Elizabethan era, love was often idealized and romanticized in
literature. Shakespeare’s portrayal of love as constant, unchanging, and eternal
reflects this cultural context. However, his emphasis on the “marriage of true
minds” suggests a deeper, more spiritual understanding of love that goes beyond
physical attraction or societal expectations. This could be seen as a critique of the
superficial and transient nature of many Elizabethan courtly love relationships.

9. How does the final couplet of Sonnet 116 serve to emphasize the speaker’s
conviction about the nature of love?

Answer: The final couplet of Sonnet 116 serves as a powerful conclusion to the
poem. By stating that if he is wrong about love, then he has never written and no
man has ever loved, the speaker is expressing his absolute conviction in his
understanding of love. This bold statement serves to emphasize the unwavering
nature of true love that has been described throughout the poem, reinforcing the
speaker’s argument and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Additional MCQs

1. What does the phrase “marriage of true minds” in the first line of the poem
refer to?

A. A legal wedding ceremony B. A deep, spiritual connection between two people

C. A business partnership D. A family relationship

Answer: B. A deep, spiritual connection between two people

2. According to the poem, what happens to love when it finds alteration?

A. It becomes stronger B. It changes C. It ends D. It does not alter

Answer: D. It does not alter

3. What does the “ever-fixed mark” in the poem symbolize?

A. A tattoo B. A permanent and unchanging aspect of love C. A physical landmark

D. A target for archery

Answer: B. A permanent and unchanging aspect of love

4. In the poem, love is compared to a star guiding a wandering ship. What

does this metaphor suggest about the nature of love?

A. Love is unreachable B. Love is bright and shiny C. Love provides guidance and
direction D. Love is distant and cold

Answer: C. Love provides guidance and direction

5. What does the phrase “Love’s not Time’s fool” mean in the context of the
poem?

A. Love is not fooled or controlled by time B. Love is timeless and eternal C. Love
is foolish and naive D. Both A and B

Answer: D. Both A and B

6. What does the “bending sickle” of Time represent in the poem?

A. The harvest season B. The moon C. The passage of time and its effects D. The
Grim Reaper

Answer: C. The passage of time and its effects

7. According to the poem, until when does true love last?

A. Until physical beauty fades B. Until it finds alteration C. Until the end of time
D. Until it is tested by tempests

Answer: C. Until the end of time

8. What does the speaker claim in the final two lines of the poem?

A. If he is wrong about love, then he has never written anything, and no one has
ever truly loved B. If he is wrong about love, then he will stop writing C. If he is
wrong about love, then he will admit his mistake D. If he is wrong about love, then
he will change his views

Answer: A. If he is wrong about love, then he has never written anything, and no
one has ever truly loved

9. What is the overall theme of Sonnet 116?

A. The fleeting nature of beauty B. The power of time C. The constancy and
endurance of true love D. The challenges of marriage

Answer: C. The constancy and endurance of true love

10. What form of poetry is Sonnet 116?

A. Free verse B. Haiku C. Limerick D. Shakespearean sonnet

Answer: D. Shakespearean sonnet

Fill in the blanks/complete the sentences

1. In the poem, love is described as an ‘ever-fixed mark’ that looks on _______

and is never shaken.

Answer: tempests

2. According to the poem, love is not love if it _______ when it finds alteration.
Answer: alters

3. The poem suggests that love is the guiding star to every _______ bark.

Answer: wand’ring

4. In the poem, love is not _______ fool, even though physical beauty can fade
with time.

Answer: Time’s

5. The poem asserts that love does not alter with Time’s brief hours and
_______.

Answer: weeks

6. According to the poem, love bears it out even to the edge of _______.

Answer: doom

7. The speaker in the poem states that if his definition of love is proven wrong,
then he has never _______.

Answer: writ

8. The poem suggests that if the speaker’s understanding of love is incorrect,

then no man has ever truly _______.

Answer: loved

9. The speaker refuses to admit any _______ to the marriage of true minds.

Answer: impediments
10. The poem describes love as a mark that is never _______ even when faced
with storms.

Answer: shaken