On Love and Shakespeare - Essay Example

On Love and Shakespeare Throughout his exemplary works that have stood the test of time, William Shakespeare develops the theme of love on a majority of his writings. Through the analysis of the writer’s sonnets we are able to identify how the theme of love is idealized (A1), the standards used to make this evaluation (A2) and the arguments arising based on the theme of love in the sonnet (A3). In Shakespeare’s sonnets, the theme of love is idealized. The writer does not give a single definition of love, but rather, depicts it as an intangible collection of characteristics that make it a powerful driving force.

For example, in sonnet 116, the author states “Love is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken” (Bloom & Foster 37). In this sonnet, love is identified as an invincible force that overcomes, death, age and time. Similarly, in sonnets 130 and 147, Shakespeare idealises love as an overwhelming force that triumphs over challenges and time in the physical world. The standards used to make this evaluation are based on the language and literary devices evidenced in the sonnet.

The author uses a language that the audience can identify as quotable truths in human life. In sonnet 18 “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day” (Greenblatt 26). The poet praises his dear friend and through the use of language, builds the image of his friend to that of a perfect being. In the 3rd quatrain of the sonnet, the poet compares his dear friend to a summer day. Although summer is characterised by changes in weather, the friend is identified as being “lovelier and more temperate” (Greenblatt 46).

Through the use of language, the poet’s friend goes through a metamorphosis and becomes more enduring, more defiant than the changing nature of summer. There are arguments arising on the analysis of the sonnets. Questions regarding the type of love described in the poems are an issue of debate. Sonnet 1-126 seems to be addressed to an unnamed young male friend of the poet. Arguably, based on the intensity of feeling and language in the sonnets, some scholars denote the presence of sexual love.

However, some scholars argue that in the Elizabethan time, men were not afraid to express their feelings for other men or to admire their beauty (Bloom & Foster, 41). A second issue arising is the mention of a ‘black lady’ there are some scholars who theorise that the lady maybe an African, whereas, others contend that it simply means that the lady was a non-blonde. Works Cited Bloom Harold & Foster Brett. The Sonnets. Infobase Publishing, 2009. Print. Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 9th ed. W.W. Norton New York. 2012. Print.