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The poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare is the second poem in the Poetry section of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words textbook. This timeless sonnet explores the unchanging nature of true love, presenting its force against all obstacles. In this poem, Shakespeare defines love as constant and eternal. This blog provides easy-to-understand NCERT Class 11 English notes with explanations, meanings, and analysis to help students understand the poem’s deep message about love. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.
Contents
- 1 Important Word Meanings in Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare
- 2 Line-by-Line Explanation of the Poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds
- 3 Analysis of the Poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare
- 4 Summary of Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare
- 5 Poetic Devices in Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds
- 6 FAQs
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words
| Poem 1 | Poem 3 | Poem 4 | Poem 5 |
Important Word Meanings in Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare
In the poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare, specific words and phrases are used to convey the enduring nature of true love. Understanding these terms helps clarify the poem’s depth and emotional resonance.
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
| Marriage of true minds | A union of souls based on mutual understanding and genuine love |
| Impediments | Obstacles or barriers that hinder love |
| Alters when it alteration finds | Changes when it encounters changes in circumstances or feelings |
| Bends with the remover to remove | Yields or wanes when one party withdraws their love |
| Ever-fixed mark | A constant, unchanging point, like a lighthouse or beacon |
| Tempests | Storms or challenges, symbolising life’s difficulties |
| Wandering bark | A lost ship, representing a person seeking direction |
| Whose worth’s unknown | The true value of love, which is immeasurable despite being recognised |
| Time’s fool | Something easily swayed or diminished by the passage of time |
| Bending sickle’s compass | The reach of time’s scythe, symbolising ageing and mortality |
| Edge of doom | The end of life or the Day of Judgment |
| Upon me proved | Proven against me, shown to be wrong |
Also Read: NCERT Notes Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 2 The Address (Free PDF)
Line-by-Line Explanation of the Poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds
Here is the line-by-line explanation of the poem, Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare, in detail.
Lines 1–4:
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
The poet begins by asserting that true love, described as a “marriage of true minds,” should not allow obstacles to disrupt it. True love does not change when faced with challenges or fade when one partner withdraws their affection, distinguishing it from superficial or conditional love.
Lines 5–8:
O no, it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love is compared to a fixed beacon, like a lighthouse, that remains steady despite life’s storms. It serves as a guiding star for lost ships (wandering bark), its value immeasurable even if its presence is acknowledged, emphasising love’s constancy and guiding power.
Lines 9–12:
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
Love is not subject to time’s whims, despite time’s power to age physical beauty (“rosy lips and cheeks”). It remains unchanged through fleeting moments and endures until the end of life or judgment day, underscoring its eternal nature.
Lines 13–14:
If this be error, and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
The poet concludes with a bold challenge: if his definition of love is proven wrong, then he has never written, and no one has ever truly loved. This confident assertion reinforces the poem’s conviction in the unchanging essence of true love.
Analysis of the Poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare
The poem Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare, also known as Sonnet 116, explores the eternal and unwavering nature of true love. It defines love as a constant force that transcends obstacles, time, and physical decay, presenting it as a spiritual and intellectual bond.
Theme – The Constancy and Eternity of True Love
The central theme is the steadfastness of true love, which remains unchanging despite external challenges, time’s passage, or physical decline. The poem portrays love as a spiritual union that endures all trials, offering a timeless ideal of devotion and commitment.
Symbolism and Meaning
Here we have mentioned the symbolism used in this poem, along with the meaning behind that.
- Marriage of True Minds: Symbolises a deep, intellectual, and emotional union, beyond mere physical attraction.
- Ever-fixed Mark: Represents love as a stable, unchanging beacon, like a lighthouse, guiding through life’s challenges.
- Star to Every Wandering Bark: Compares love to a guiding star, providing direction and hope to those lost in life’s uncertainties.
- Time’s Sickle: Symbolises the destructive power of time, which affects physical beauty but not true love’s essence.
Human Experience
The poem captures the universal longing for a love that is constant and enduring. It resonates with readers who value deep, meaningful connections that withstand life’s challenges, offering an idealised vision of love that inspires hope and commitment.
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood of the poem have been given as follows:
- Assertive and Confident: The poet’s tone is resolute, firmly declaring the qualities of true love with conviction.
- Inspirational: The mood uplifts readers, celebrating love’s enduring strength and timeless beauty.
- Reflective: The poem invites contemplation on the nature of love and its role in human life.
Summary of Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare
In Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds, Shakespeare defines true love as an unchanging, eternal bond that transcends obstacles and time. He asserts that love is not true if it changes with circumstances or fades when one partner withdraws. Comparing love to a fixed beacon that withstands storms and a guiding star for lost ships, he emphasises its constancy and immeasurable worth. Love remains unaffected by time’s passage, which may age physical beauty but cannot diminish its essence. The poem concludes with a bold claim: if this definition of love is wrong, then the poet has never written, and no one has ever loved, affirming the universal truth of love’s endurance.
Poetic Devices in Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds
Shakespeare employs several poetic devices to convey the poem’s message and enhance its emotional and rhythmic impact.
| Device | Example | Effect |
| Metaphor | “It is an ever-fixed mark” | Compared to a stable beacon, emphasising its constancy |
| Imagery | “Star to every wandering bark” | Creates a vivid image of love as a guiding light for lost souls |
| Personification | “Love’s not Time’s fool” | Gives time human qualities, highlighting its inability to control love |
| Alliteration | “Bends with the remover to remove” | Adds rhythm and emphasises the idea of love’s resilience |
| Hyperbole | “If this be error… I never wrote, nor no man ever loved” | Exaggerates to assert the poet’s absolute confidence in his definition of love |
| Enjambment | “Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds” | Carries the thought across lines, mirroring the continuous nature of true love |
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Woven Words’ here!
| Poem 1: The Peacock Solution |
| Poem 2: Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds Solution |
| Poem 3: Coming Solution |
| Poem 4: Telephone Conversation Solution |
Explore Notes of Other NCERT Class 11 Subjects
| History | Geography | Political Science | Psychology | Sociology |
FAQs
The poem conveys that true love is constant, unchanging, and eternal, enduring obstacles, time, and physical decay, representing a deep spiritual and intellectual bond.
These comparisons highlight love’s steadfastness and guidance. The “ever-fixed mark” (like a lighthouse) remains unshaken by challenges, while the “star” offers direction to those lost, emphasising love’s reliability and immeasurable value.
It means that true love is not controlled or diminished by time, remaining constant despite the ageing of physical beauty, enduring until the end of life.
For NCERT study material, follow the NCERT Notes and Solutions Class 11 English by Leverage Edu now.
