Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments
By William
Shakespeare
Analysis :
·
The
poem ‘Not Marble Nor the Gilded monuments’ is a beautiful poem composed by
William Shakepeare, one of the greatest writers and poets of English literature.
·
This
poem is a sonnet – a poem of 14 lines. The Shakespearean sonnet is a simplified
version of Italian sonnet (having strict division of an octave (verse of 8
lines) followed by a sestet (verse of six lines)
·
It
is an example of artistic marvel, having been divided into three stanzas – the first
three being quatrains (verse of 4 lines) and a concluding couplet (a verse of 2
lines).
·
It
also follows a simplified rhyming scheme – abab, cdcd, efef and gg.
·
The
tone of the poem is philosophical.
·
The
poem highlights the themes that time is powerful and cruel, death is inevitable
and poetry or literature is immortal and beyond the overpowering death and
destruction.
Line by Line
Explanation
Stanza 1
Not marble nor the gilded monuments
Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme,
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time.
Explanation :
Shakespeare wants to tell the readers that the marble
monuments which are beautifully decorated and studded with gold and precious
stones to proclaim the glory of kings and princes, cannot save them from death
and destruction as time is the greatest ravager. The poet feels proud to say that
his friend of beloved will remain immortal after being admired in his sonnet or
poetry. Here, he means to say that only a piece of literature remains untouched
by the destruction caused by time which is compared to an immoral woman who is
insensitive and unconcerned to the pain and loss of others just like time as it
doesn’t spare anyone.
Stanza 2
When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory.
Explanation :
Shakespeare continues telling that the wars bring
destruction and statues of kings get overturned and broken. Similarly small
riots also destroy the works of masonry such as statues, monuments, forts,
buildings and palaces. But, even Mars, the Roman god of war who is responsible
for war cry and destruction can not spoil or destroy a piece of poetry or
literature, which eventually becomes a living record of Shakespeare’s friend
who will be remembered till that piece of poetry is.
Stanza 3
’Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find
room
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
Explanation :
The poet is certain that his friend shall live against
the rules of death and even enmity can’t make people forget his friend as he or
she is recorded in his sonnet for ever. The future generations will come to
know about his friend when they read his verse. Thus, he or she shall live till
the Judgement Day when the entire world perishes.
Stanza 4 (Couplet)
So, till the Judgement that yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.
Explanation :
The poet concludes that his friend will live in this
world till the last day of judgement when he or she will arise again for judgement.
And before that he or she will remain alive in form of his sonnet and be
remembered by his admirers. Thus, he or she will live in their hearts as
beautiful memory till the judgement day.
What is a
sonnet?
A sonnet is a poem
of fourteen (14) lines with specific form and meter. It originated in Italy. It
is known for its strict rhyme scheme, meter and stanza pattern.
Shakespearean
Sonnet is structured in four stanzas :
Quatrain 1 (consisting
of 4 lines)
Quatrain 2 – (consisting
of 4 lines)
Quatrain 3 – (consisting
of 4 lines)
Ending Couplet – (consisting
of 2 lines)
Every line
consists of 10 syllables, composed in Iambic Pentameter (5x2 = 10 syllables)
Rhyme Scheme -
Quatrain 1
Not marble nor the gilded monuments A
Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme, B
But you shall shine more bright in these contents A
Than unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time. B
Quatrain 2
When wasteful war shall statues overturn, C
And broils root out the work of masonry, D
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn C
The living record of your memory. D
Quatrain 3
’Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity E
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room F
Even in the eyes of all posterity E
That wear this world out to the ending doom. F
Couplet
So, till the Judgement that yourself arise, G
You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes. G
Themes
Time is the greatest ravager and spares none.
Time eventually destroys everything.
Poetic devices
Alliteration
•
Not marble nor
the gilded monuments
•
Of princes shall outlive this powerful
rhyme
•
But you shall shine
•
unswept stone besmeared with sluttish
time.
•
When wasteful war
•
That wear this
world out
Personification
•
your praise shall still find
room
•
nor the gilded monuments Of princes
shall outlive this powerful rhyme
•
And broils root out the work
Difficult Word Meaning
•
Gilded – ornate, decorated or studded with
gold or gems
•
Powerful rhyme – sonnet or poetry
•
You – the poet’s friend/beloved to whom he
addresses
•
These contents – sonnet or his poetry
•
Sluttish – immoral or untrustworthy woman
(here refers to time which is insensitive or unconcerned)
•
Wasteful wars – wars bring destruction
•
Broils – roasting, riots, grilling or tarnishing
•
Masonry – stone or bricks work or
monuments
•
Mars – Roman god of war
•
Living record – sonnet or verse of
Shakespeare
•
‘Gainst death – even after death
•
Oblivious enmity – enmity that makes one
forget the friends and relatives
•
Posterity – future grnerations
•
Ending doom – end of the world (judgement
day)
•
Judgement Day – final day of judgement
•
You – poet’s friend/beloved
• You live in this – poet’s sonnet will keep his friend’s memory alive
•
Lovers – admirers or lovers of
Shakespeare’s poetry
•
Dwell – live (in admirers’ hearts)
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