Which alters when it alteration finds

The choice of the word "impediments" offers a clue. It is agreed that it alludes to the moment in the marriage service when the minister invites the parties to state any objections they may have to the marriage. A parallel usage of the word occurs in Much Ado About Nothing, when the Friar asks if either bride or groom knows of any "inward impediment" which might prevent solemnization.

Who is it that would be called upon, in the event of alleged impediments to a marriage being cited, to decide whether they ought to be judged admissible or not? Presumably the judge in an ecclesiastical court. That this is the persona adopted in the poem seems likely in view of the distinctively legal language with which the poem begins and ends: "Let me not.

Admit impediments. If this be error and upon m e proved. Project MUSE promotes the creation and dissemination of essential humanities and social science resources through collaboration with libraries, publishers, and scholars worldwide. Forged from a partnership between a university press and a library, Project MUSE is a trusted part of the academic and scholarly community it serves.

Built on the Johns Hopkins University Campus. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless. Institutional Login. In the very first sentence, Shakespeare strikes out his beliefs or opinions on love. It is one unchangeable emotion that is consistent, and has a meaning to it. There is nothing that could come between two person's love. Shakespeare will not come between two people in love " Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds," is the next line.

Shakespear basically placed the meaning of this sentence within the line itself. The hidden meaning is that love is not love when it is constantly changing w hen one person has noticed that their beloved has changed. If one changes, the relationship should stay the same and not be affected by the alternative individual. Love is contant and must work with the adapting individuals. The fifth lines states, "Oh no! It is an ever fixed mark. It is an unerasable mark and is solid and stong enough to resist tempation and will never be interupted.

This is explained in the sixth line, "That looks on tempests and is never shaken. Shakespeare implies that to those who are loney, they turn to love. Love is that "star" that everyone follows. However, its true value is unknown even though it has various impressions. These lines contain the position of 'time' in love. Love does not change with time nor is it fooled by it. Although our love's appearance changes, the meaning of love in the relationship stays the same.

Time wants to steal love away from two beautiful young people. Lines eleven and twelve have to do with time as well. It will bear the causes of time until the end.

SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Themes Motifs Symbols. Suggested Essay Topics. Summary Sonnet 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: O no!