sonnet 116

Question 1

• “looks on tempests and is never shaken”, “the star to every wandering bark”
• “love is not love”,”remover to remove”
• “bears it out even to the edge of doom”

Answer 1

love
- “looks on tempests and is never shaken”, “the star to every wandering bark” - personification, love = godlike/powerful force
- “love is not love”,”remover to remove” - mirroring, symbol for loving couple
- “bears it out even to the edge of doom” - power of love, positive force

Question 2

“rosy lips and cheeks”
“ever-fixed mark”
nautical imagery

Answer 2

loyalty
“rosy lips and cheeks” - outward beauty Shakespeare does not value, true love is constant
“ever-fixed mark” - extended metaphor, love = star-> guide
nautical imagery - sea travel dangerous, image for enduring/ conquering love

Question 3

“love is not love which alters when it alteration finds”
“if this be error and upon me prov’d,”

Answer 3

existencialism
“love is not love which alters when it alteration finds” - human desire for stability+authenticity
“if this be error and upon me prov’d,” - truthfulness, personal responsibility