Sonnet 116, written by William Shakespeare, is a celebration of true love and the eternal nature of it. The poem comprises 14 lines in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with each line containing ten syllables and following a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg.
In the first quatrain, Shakespeare asserts the stability of true love, stating that it "bears it out even to the edge of doom." This metaphor compares true love to a ship that can withstand even the most tumultuous storms and challenges, remaining steadfast and unshakeable. The speaker also asserts that true love is not influenced by external factors such as time or circumstance, saying that it "is an ever-fixed mark" that does not "fade" or "wander."
In the second quatrain, the speaker refutes the idea that true love can be affected by any external force, saying that it is "not Time's fool," and is not subject to the fleeting and capricious nature of time. The speaker also denies that true love can be "bought" or "sold," further emphasizing its eternal and intangible nature.
The third quatrain shifts focus to the concept of "bald, naked, forked animal," a metaphor for lust or superficial love. The speaker asserts that this type of love is fleeting and shallow, and compares it to a "death-marked love" that will eventually wither and die.
In the final couplet, the speaker reaffirms the eternal nature of true love, stating that it is "not gendered" and does not "alter when it alteration finds." This suggests that true love is not subject to change or alteration, and remains constant no matter what challenges or changes it may face.
Overall, Sonnet 116 is a tribute to the enduring and unchanging nature of true love. Shakespeare argues that true love is not influenced by external forces such as time or circumstance, and is not subject to change or alteration. The poem serves as a reminder that true love is a constant and eternal force, and is something to be celebrated and treasured.
