Sonnet 116 And John Donne - 1059 Words

William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Sonnet 116† and John Donne’s â€Å"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning† similarly explore the theme of everlasting true love. However, both poems differ in rhyme scheme, techniques, and meaning. The poets use these tools to convey to the reader that everlasting true love does in fact exist. Although both speak so passionately about said love, only the speaker of Donne’s poem has actually experienced it. While both poems explicate eternal true love, their rhyme scheme differences convey everlasting true love in different manners. Shakespeare’s â€Å"Sonnet 116† follows the Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme that goes A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D-E-F-E-F-G-G. It contains three quatrains, and ends with a couplet. Meanwhile, Donne’s â€Å"A†¦show more content†¦The first quatrain introduces divine love by comparing the parting of a lover to death when saying, â€Å"As virtuous men pass mildly away...† ( 1) and, â€Å"So let us melt, and make no noise†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (5). These two lines from the first two quatrains signify that love should not be bothered by distance because divine love is inseparable. The idea that divine love is inseparable is later supported in Line 13-15, which initiates the idea of earthly love by saying, â€Å"Dull sublunary lovers cannot admit absence†. These lines resemble earthly love by contrasting the speakers love to sublunary lovers. Sublunary means belonging to this world, which indicates that those particular lovers belong to earth. Since they belong to earth their love is anything that pertains to the human senses, therefore physical presence is necessary for their love to survive, rendering it temporary. This image of two sides of love cements Donne’s belief that his love is true because his love is so sacred that distance cannot affect it. These ideas of everlasting love are similarly supported by the techniques both poets use, however both poets use different techniques. In Line 8 of â€Å"Sonnet 116†, the Shakespeare personifies love as a guiding star that â€Å"looks on tempests and is never shaken†. The â€Å"tempests† is a metaphor for any obstacle the lovers may face in their relationship, such as arguments and time and illuminates the love that guidesShow MoreRelatedLove And Death By William Shakespeare924 Words   |  4 Pagesor sonnets are about love or death. The brilliant William Shakespeare also considered England s national poet, was an English actor, poet, and playwright who is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language during the Renaissance era. He wrote thirty eight plays, one hundred and fifty four sonnets, and two long narrative poems. Many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, poems, and plays focuses on the topic of love including the Sonnet 116 â€Å"Let me not to the marriage of true minds.† John DonneRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1267 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare s Romeo and Juliet variously links to the poetry; The Flea , by John Donne, Valentine , by Carol Ann Duffy, and Sonnet 116 , by Shakespeare. The first association is through theme, as Sonnet 116 demonstrates the importance of eternal love and through situation, such as how Valentine ends with violent imagery, so does the play. Another way in which the drama links to the poetry is by character, Romeo and the protagonist of The Flea convey characteristics of a courtlyRead MoreEssay on Amer. Lit2033 Words   |  9 Pagesassigned sonnets, Herrick’s â€Å"To the Virgins,† and Marvell’s â€Å"To His Coy Mistress.† Although their images differ, what do all these poets seem to be saying about time? Be specific when referring to the poems. 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Such intensity that ShakespeareRead MoreHow the Negative and Positive Impacts of Love Are Explored Using Various Main Char acters in the Play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’5155 Words   |  21 Pagesthink very much of Benedick yet it was the first line she ever said in this play so it conveys some interest. This is subtle as she disguises her concern with an insult. The idea links to the quote ‘My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun’ in ‘Sonnet 130’; he is saying that his mistress’ eyes have no light in them and nothing that would instantly draw him to her. The first time it is read, no concern can be spotted in his words as it sounds instantly insulting but he still actually loves her despite