Sonnet 116

1
Sonnet 116

• The Song
• of
• Love

2
Some things to note about Shakespeares sonnets

• Each poem has 14 lines,
• divided into several distinct sections (usually
  groups of 4 lines, 4 lines, 4 lines, 2 lines)
• which are separated by fitting punctuation.

3
Let me not to the marriage of true mindsAdmit
impediments. Love is not loveWhich alters when
it alteration finds,Or bends with the remover to
removeO no! it is an ever-fixed markThat looks
on tempests and is never shakenIt is the star
to every wandering bark,Whose worth's unknown,
although his height be taken.Love's not Time's
fool, though rosy lips and cheeksWithin his
bending sickle's compass comeLove 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 proved,I never writ, nor no man ever
loved.

4
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

• What are the subjects and verbs in the
  independent clauses?
• In the dependent clauses?
• Re-write the same idea expressed in these lines,
  but do so in your own words.

5
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on
tempests and is never shaken It is the star to
every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown,
although his height be taken.

• What are the subjects and verbs in the
  independent clauses?
• In the dependent clauses?
• Re-write the same idea expressed in these lines,
  but do so in your own words.

6
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.

• What are the subjects and verbs in the
  independent clauses?
• In the dependent clauses?
• Re-write the same idea expressed in these lines,
  but do so in your own words.

7
If this be error and upon me proved, I never
writ, nor no man ever loved.

• What are the subjects and verbs in the
  independent clauses?
• In the dependent clauses?
• Re-write the same idea expressed in these lines,
  but do so in your own words.

8
Some discussion topics
How many images does Shakespeare use? How do they
help (or not help) to make the point? What is
your favorite phrase from this poem?
9
A Small Summary

• Each sonnet written by Shakespeare has how many
  lines?
• 14

• Each sonnet is normally divided into how many
  distinct sections?
• 4

• Extra Credit How many syllables are in each
  line of verse?
• 10

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Important Consideration

• Is rhymed and metered poetry (such as this poem)
  better or worse than the very loose and free
  flowing poetry more popular today? Why or why
  not?
• Some Help To decide if something is better or
  worse, you ought to ask what is it for? (For
  instance, a pencil is not a good can-opener. If
  you thought it was, you would destroy your pencil
  and not open the can.) So, be sure to
  contemplate the purpose of poetry and how a
  formal pattern might aid or hinder your ability
  to make a good poem.

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If you would like to read and comment upon others
of Shakespeares sonnets, go to
http//www.shakespeare-online.com/