Language

Style of writing

In terms of style and tone, “Sonnet 116” could be described as formal and sincere. The poem comes across as a heartfelt declaration of the eternal nature of love. 

The speaker believes strongly in the eternal nature of love. This is highlighted by the use of verbs, which help to state what love does and does not do: “Love is not love / When it alters where it alteration finds / Or bends with the remover to remove.” (ll. 2-4). The heavy use of verbs also adds to the personification of love. 

Poetic devices

Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116” uses a variety of poetic - or literary - devices. 

Personification

Personification is key to “Sonnet 116”. The most important example is the personification of love. Love is the subject of the poem, so the speaker treats love almost as if it was a human character: “Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds / Or bends with the remover to remove.” (ll. 2-4). Shakespeare idealizes love by presenting it as som...