Essay: Compare Shakespeare’s “18” and “116”: True Power of Love and Never-Ending Happiness

The two sonnets I will be comparing in this essay are two of Shakespeare’s most well known pieces of work. Shakespeare’s sonnets “116” and “18” show the true power of love and its ability to bring two people together, which can result in the ultimate amount of happiness. Both of these verse forms share the topic of love, but also have very different takes on the subject. Each sonnet has its own uniqueness, intentions, and target audience.
Shakespeare wrote a majority of his sonnets in iambic pentameter. Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets consisted of ten syllables per line. One way to describe the rhythm of iambic pentameter is to compare it to the sound of a heartbeat, because of the series of stressed words and unstressed words.
In sonnet “116”, Shakespeare writes that love is meant to be “an ever fixed mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken” (lines 4-5). Shakespeare is speaking of a foundation that can never be broken. By referring to love as a foundation, Shakespeare employs an interesting metaphor. In effect, he is saying that love can “build” someone up until they are unbreakable. Additionally, he declares that true love should never be severed, and should retain strength and loyalty no matter what the circumstances. The metaphor also reveals that love is so strong that it empowers the person who is experiencing it.
In sonnet “18” Shakespeare explains that when someone is in love, one will decide to only see the beauty of the other person and not their flaws. In lines 9-10 “… thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair ow’st.” Shakespeare is comparing a beautiful summer’s day to how someone views the object of their affection. In the poet’s eyes, the radiance and youth of their lover will never fade. Shakespeare also uses a hyperbole in this sonnet. Just as someone cannot stay young forever, summer cannot last all year. However, in the eyes of the person in love, the beauty they see in their loved one will never change or fade.
In both of these poems, Shakespeare explains that when two people are in love, they possess the deepest feelings for each other. In sonnet “116” we see how Shakespeare used metaphors to help the reader understand his portrayal of love. In lines 4-5, we understand a deeper meaning and significance from this sonnet. The metaphor in this sonnet makes love seem like a strong foundation that cannot be broken, a love that is based on loyalty, trust, and appreciation. Diction is used to great effect in this quote to emphasize emotion to the reader. Words such as “shaken,” and “never” are used throughout this sonnet. The word “never” gives off a sense of security and reassurance, that the love is lasting. Love creates strength, and receiving love and affection from a significant other can make a person stronger as an individual, knowing there is someone by their side to support them.
A metaphor is also used in sonnet “16.” In lines 2-5, the quote implies that the love in a relationship between two people should always stay strong no matter what the situation. Shakespeare writes, “Love is not love, Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove.” Shakespeare is referring to love as being palpable and everlasting. Shakespeare explains that true love cannot just come and go as you please, but takes place when meant to be, resulting in a relationship that is strong and unbreakable. Love gives a person confidence and security, as well as the ability to give your partner the guidance and support they need, making the relationship stronger as a whole.
In line 7 of sonnet “116”, Shakespeare writes that love is, “the star to every wandering bark.” This quote refers to the North Star, that which is commonly referred to as the guide of love used by boats. The boat is lost and desperate, but the star is a guide to the boat and helps lead the person to happiness. Once an individual finds their person, they are able to grow together as a couple and become their best individual selves. Shakespeare’s sonnets, “116” and “18,” proves that love is so powerful that it can bring two people together and result in a lifetime of happiness. William Shakespeare was one of the most influential writers of all-time and continues to impact literature today. Shakespeare’s themes as well as his way of structuring his pieces of work continue to inspire and influence writers to this day.