Question

determine the meaning of the underlined phrases in the context of the passage
sonnet 116
by william shakespeare
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! it is an ever - fixed mark,
that looks on tempests and is never shaken;
it is the star to every wandering bark,
whose worths unknown, although his height be taken.
loves not times fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
within his bending sickles compass come;
love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
but bears it out even to the edge of doom.
if this be error and upon me proved,
i never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Explanation:

1. "the marriage of true minds": Represents a deep - spiritual union between two like - minded people. In the context of the sonnet, it is the ideal union that love should be based on, free from impediments.
2. "bending sickle's compass": The "sickle" is a symbol of Time, and "bending sickle's compass" implies the reach or domain of Time. Time is personified as something that can claim and change physical beauty (rosy lips and cheeks).
3. "edge of doom": Signifies the end of the world or the ultimate limit. Love, according to the sonnet, endures even until the very end of all things.

Answer:

1. "the marriage of true minds": A deep - spiritual union of like - minded people.
2. "bending sickle's compass": The reach or domain of Time.
3. "edge of doom": The end of the world or the ultimate limit.