Comparing Love In Sonnets 116 And Elizabeth Barrett's Sonnet 43

For this assessment, I will study Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett’s poem: Sonnet 43. William Shakespeare was an English poet during the Elizabethan era and was regarded as one of the greatest English poet of all times. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 is one of his most famous, yet poignant sonnets that had been written. The main poem explores on the theme of love, religion nature; love being the central aspect, but the poet does not address the poem to any speaker, rather it explores on the reasoning of love as a concept. The second poem of analysis will be on Elizabeth Barrett’s poem: Sonnet 43. Barrett was born in 1806 and was recognised as an English poet of the Romantic Movement and was a very prominent poet during her era, both in the U.S and the U.K. Barrett also shows the theme of love, nature and religion in her poems. In this essay, I will explore the ways relationships are presented in sonnet 116 and sonnet 43.
The poem ‘Sonnet 116’ explores different aspects of relationships. This is …show more content…
Shakespeare suggests that relationship should be unconditional and should remain vigilant even when tested: “O no it is an ever-fixed mark’ That looks on tempests and is never shaken”. This verse builds a metaphoric image of a light house which indicates that a strong relationship could withstand any arguments or struggles. Shakespeare’s reasoning to compare relationship with lighthouse is symbolic and this shows that the way lighthouse upholds itself and conquers its stability against storms and turbulences; it still continues to guide sailors. Thus in relationship, loved one should upload themselves when tested. At the same time, there is also a sense of sexual connotation to this, where the lighthouse is seen as a phallic image. The use of ‘O’ suggests that Shakespeare is very passionate about love, he feels that love is equivalent to religious, never ending and