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Poem Review: Sonnet 116

25 May 2016

By Lauren E. White

Written by William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116 is one of 125 sonnets and one of Shakespeare’s most popular. A reflection of what love is not doesn’t sound like it makes good poetry, but William Shakespeare never fails to deliver.

At a time in society when people spend their life ‘talking’ to five different people each day, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 is relevant because of its truth. The opening line of the sonnet is: ‘Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds’, showing quite clearly that love doesn’t change as fast as someone’s Snapchat story. It’s far more permanent than that.

Sonnet 116 also shows that it’s natural to want to find this kind of connection with someone, and also that it’s possible to do so, as Shakespeare ends the poem with: ‘if this be error and upon me proved, no man ever writ, nor no man ever loved.’ The literary genius staked his writing career on it. So there has to be an element of truth.

Shakespeare also declares that love ‘is the star to every wandering bark’ – showing that love can guide you home. It’s described almost like an anchor, keeping you grounded and safe.

If you’ve still no idea why Sonnet 116 has so much prestige, think of it like Fix You or Yellow by Coldplay. Yes, it’s simply stunning.

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