If we look at the first quatrain we see alters/alteration and remover/remove. Shakespeare also uses polyptoton within this sonnet. There are a few other examples of this throughout, but for Shakespeare, who loves to play with the standard de-dum de-dum, he is fairly regular within this sonnet. Without going into the details here, we basically are hitting the first beat “let” rather than “me”, as we normally would do in a standard Iambic line. One example of where the normal rhythm is broken is in the first line where we have a trochaic substitution. Generally, when Shakespeare breaks up his rhythm we see a character who is more agitated. The rhythm throughout is fairly consistent, but there are examples where Shakespeare plays with the standard Iambic Pentameter. Do not force this rhyme, it is simply something we have to be aware of.

(Wair, WHAT – REMOVE?) We have to take into account the change in accent and pronunciation (more on Original Pronunciation), so in modern English, in most accents, this no longer rhymes. For example in the first quatrain, you can see “minds” rhymes with “finds” and “love” with “remove”. This sonnet also follows the standard rhyming structure of most sonnets: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This poem, like a lot of Shakespeare’s poetic work, is written in Iambic Pentameter. Instead it’s about true, everlasting, and deep connection between two people. Though the word marriage is used, the sonnet has nothing to do with getting married, or the institution of marriage. I believe this is a testament to what love is really about. This is a truly beautiful sonnet and definitely worth exploring further. This oft-quoted sonnet is a staple of weddings for this very reason. Basically this is theme of every romantic film ever in Twilight, they take this idea to the next level by literally becoming immortal to be together forever. This is a theme that has carried on through our poetic tradition and modern storytelling tradition: true love that never ends. The core notion is that love is “never shaken” and an “ever-fixed mark”. This sonnet deals with the nature of love, investigating what it is, and what it is not. Though the opening line of these sonnets may be familiar, we plan on diving a little deeper into the text to see if we can unpack what sonnet 116 is all about! This iconic Shakespeare sonnet sits alongside other classics such as Sonnet 18 (Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?) and 130 (My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun). Sonnet 116 is one of Shakespeare’s most well-loved sonnets.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.

Shakespeare sonnet iambic pentameter