Sonnet 116 Flashcards
William Shakespeare
Author of Sonnet 116 (but wrote 154 of them)
Rumoured to be homosexual
Sonnet 116 - context
Written in the 1590s but not published until 1609
Supposedly about the relationship between Shakespeare and the Earl of South Hampton
Written during Elizabeth I’s reign - a peaceful society
Sonnet 116 - themes
True/platonic love
Everlasting love
Sonnet 116 - form
Sonnet
Split into 3 quatrains (1 octave, 1 sestet & 1 couplet)
Sonnet 116 - structure
An iambic pentameter is used almost consistently throughout the poem
- commonly known to have a heartbeat sound
- however, the first line’s meter is irregular as the stresses fall on the 1st and 3rd syllable (very unconventional)
- this may be on purpose as it is illustrative of love itself as it overcomes the rocky paths.
Sonnet 116 - links to Gatsby
The poem and TGG contrast as love is not seen to be eternal in TGG as all of the couples end up broken and the only relationship left is Daisy and Tom which is not based on love.
The poem discusses people not being able to be together due to the views in society
- Daisy and Gatsby
- Gatsby and Nick
- Myrtle and Tom
Sonnet 116 - language
Most of the words are monosyllabic meaning it is accessible to everyone as a lot of people would not have been able to read very well (or at all) in the 1600s.
‘O no, it is an ever fixed marke.’
Poem - Sonnet 116
Love is eternal and does not change regardless of any circumstances
‘Lov’s not Times foole.’
Poem - Sonnet 116
The capitalisation of ‘Time’ indicates that it has been personified like Death often is. Shakespeare is suggesting that although time will run out eventually (it is inevitable) love lasts beyond death and time.
‘It is the star to every wandering bark.’
Poem - Sonnet 116
Bark = a ship
During Elizabethan England, ships were often guided by stars, highlighting that love is a guide through the dark and life.
