Favorite Poem

 Title: Sonnet 116

Author: William Shakespeare

Copy of the Poem:

Meaning of the Poem:

One of William Shakespeare's most well-known sonnets is referred to as Sonnet 116. The poet conveys the idea that, despite the circumstances, love is timeless and unchanging in it. It presents ideas about love generally rather than being addressed to a specific partner.

The poet starts off by stating that there shouldn't be any "impediments," or barriers, between two minds that are in love. Even when there are "alterations," or changes in the external conditions, love never changes.

After these reflections, Shakespeare compares love to an "ever-fixed mark," or something that remains constant while being afflicted by storms or tempests. It functions as a constant "star" that "barks" ships in the ocean. Although people may try to gauge it by its duration or the activities that others take on their lover's behalf, its value is so enormous that it cannot be quantified.

Shakespeare continues by stating that pure love is not mocked by the passage of time. A "bending sickle" is a representation of time's final victory over death, while "rosy lips and cheeks" are indicators of youth. True love, however, endures beyond "the edge of doom," or the end of the world, even though outer appearances may fade and lovers may finally pass away.

The poet declares in the sonnet's final two lines how strongly he believes what he has just written. He asserts that if what he writes is false, neither he nor anybody else has ever written anything or been in love.

Explanation of why it is my favorite:

This is my favorite poem because the honesty, tenderness, and ecstasy of true love are captured in the sonnet. It also demonstrates how unconditional love has the power to enchant those who choose to embrace it. Because it depicts love as an enduring and unwavering bond between two people. This sonnet extols boundless love and asserts that love is not genuine if it alters in the face of adversity. Furthermore, the poem extols true love by contrasting its tenacity with the frequent challenges that love faces: change, turmoil, and time.