3 NOT MARBLE, NOR THE GILDED MONUMENTS

ä By William Shakespeare
INTRODUCTION
Sonnet 55 builds up on Horace’s theme of poetry outlasting physical monuments to the dead. In Horace’s poetry,
the poet is himself immortalised by his poetry but in this sonnet, Shakespeare seeks to build a figurative monument
to his beloved, the fair lord. The fair lord is not described or revealed is any way in this sonnet. Instead, the sonnet
just addresses the idea of immortality through verse. The ravages of time is a recurrent theme in the sonnets of
Shakespeare. So sonnet 55 is one of the most famous works of Shakespeare and a notable deviation from other sonnets
in which he appears insecure about his relationships and his self-worth. Here we find an impassioned burst of
confidence as the poet claims to have the power to keep his friend’s memory alive evermore.

PARAPHRASE

1 – 4 lines – (Not marble ...................... sluttish subject. There is still a suggestion of survival, but survival
time) of human appreciation and not of the verse itself. Doom
refers to the Judgement day, suggesting that this poetic
The first stanza talks about how time will not
record of his subject will survive and be praised to the end
destroy the poem, though it will destroy the world’s most
of time. Slight deviation of the metre in the words ‘‘Even
magnificent structures. He wishes to say that poetry is
in’’ creates emphasis for this permanency.
stronger than these structures. At the very beginning, the
The poet is saying that death and enmity destroys
poet says that whether it is marble or gold plated
everything but poetry written on the subject will survive,
monuments of princes, all will get destroyed but the
will move ahead, find place and will be immortalised for
magnificence of his poetry will live. The subject of poetry
all generations to come. Everything else will be judged on
will remain bright and will shine forever in comparison to
the Judgement Day.
a neglected stone monument which is spoilt with Time.
Time is compared to a slut who loses her glow and beauty The ending couplet is a summary of the survival
with time. Shakespeare compares Time unfavourably to a theme. The couplet not only summarises the rest of the
female subject. sonnet, but also seems to contradict itself. ‘‘Judgement’’
goes with the talk of the judgement day in the last stanza,
5 – 8 lines – (when wasteful ...................... memory) but implies that the subject is alive and will be judged on
These lines begin with a new idea. Shakespeare has that day, but ‘ dwelling in lover’s eyes’’ suggest that the
so far spoken of two destructive forces : time and war. He subject is love itself. Thus Shakespeare seems to consider
is here describing war destroying stone structures, which the subject so lovely that he is a personification of love,
relates back to the ‘marble’ and ‘gilded monuments’ in line which could be conquered and to which no poetry can do
1, that likewise do not last. The poet says that when justice.
destructive wars will take place, they will destroy statues So the theme of the sonnet is that the subject will be
also and due to its tumult all the work of the masons will honoured forever in the verses, though the verses are
be destroyed. Even the Sword of Mars, God of war, or the unworthy of them.
destructive fires of war will be able to destroy your
memory. The poet is basically saying that even wars will
lkjka'k
not destroy the written memories of your life for they will 1-4 Lines
survive even after deadly wars. igys Nan esa dfo dgrk gS fd le; dfork dks u"V djus esa
Lines 9 – 14 – (Gainst death ...................... Lover’s vleFkZ gS tcfd lalkj osQ 'kkunkj Hkou le; osQ FkisM+kas dk f'kdkj
eyes) gks ldrs gSaA os dguk pkgrs gSa fd dfork bekjrksa vkSj HkO; Hkouksa
This stanza does not talk about survival, but of ls dgha vf/d e”kcwr gSA vkjEHk eas gh dfo dgrk gS fd pkgs og
human appreciation. The poet continues to praise his laxejej ;k lksus dk cuk gks µ jktoqQekjksa osQ }kjk fu£er Hkou ,d
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fnu u"V gks tk;saxs ijUrq mudh dfork dk lkSUn;Z cuk jgsxkA dkO; lekos'k gS] lkFk esa vkHkkl gksrk gS ekuks og Lo;a dk [kaMu dj jgk
dk fo"k; Hkh peosQxk 'kkunkj Hkouksa dh rqyuk & tks oDr osQ lkFk gSA ‘‘Judgement’’ vfUre Nan esa fu.kZ; osQ fnu osQ lkFk tkrk gS
[kjkc gks tkrs gSa & ,d nq'pfj=k L=kh ls dh xbZ gSA 'ksDlfi;j le; ijUrq fufgrkFkZ rkRi;Z esa o.kZu dk fo"k; drkZ thfor gS vkSj mldk
dh rqyuk vuqi;qDr <ax ls ^ukjh* fo"k; osQ lkFk djrs gSaA iSQlyk ml fnu fd;k tk;sxk ijUrq ‘‘dwelling in lover's eyes’’
5-8 Lines dk laosQr gS fd dÙkkZ Lo;a çse gSA bl rjg 'ksDlfi;j dh n`f"V esa
drkZ bruk laqnj vkSj vkd"kZd gS fd og çse dk Lo:i gS ftl ij
;s iafDr;k¡ ,d u;s fopkj ls çkjEHk gksrh gSA 'ksDlfi;j us vHkh fot; çkIr dh tk ldrh gS vkSj ftlosQ lkFk dksbZ dkO; U;k; ugha
rd nks fouk'kdkjh 'kfDr;k¡ & le; vkSj ;q¼ dk o.kZu fd;k gSA ;gk¡ dj ldrkA bl rjg dfork osQ vuqlkj dkO; esa mls lnk lEekfur
os crkrs gSa fd ;q¼ iRFkj ls cuh bekjrkas dks rksM+ ldrk gS ftldk fd;k tk;sxk tcfd dksbZ dkO; mlosQ lkFk U;k; ugha dj ldrkA
laca/ igyh iafDr osQ ^laxejej vkSj lksus osQ irj p<+h* bekjrkas ls
gS & tks dk;e ugha jgrh] fxj tkrh gSaA dfo dgrk gS fd tc WORD–MEANINGS
fouk'kdkjh ;q¼ gksaxs rks os ew£r;ksa dks [kafMr dj nsaxs vkSj mldh
l outlive : live afterwards l rhyme : poetry
ngy ls fefÏ;ksa dh dkjhxjh VwV&iwQV tk;sxhA ;q¼ osQ nsork eklZ dh
ryokj vkSj ;q¼ dh uk'kd vfXu vkidh ;knksa dks u"V dj nsxhA l overturn : destroy l room : place, space
dfo dg jgk gS fd ;s rkdrsa 'kfDr;k¡ Hkh vkidh ys[kuhc¼ ;knksa l dwell : live
dks ugha feVk ik;saxh D;ksafd bu uk'kdkjh ;q¼ksa osQ ckn Hkh os thfor
jgsaxhA LITERARY DEVICES
9-14 Lines
PERSONIFICATION
;g Nan lqjf{kr cps jgus dh ckr ugha dj jgk cfYd] euq";
osQ xq.k&nks"k foospuk & xq.k&xzg.k dh ;ksX;rk dk fooj.k çLrqr l ‘Gilded monuments’: Shakespeare personified these
by giving them life–spans.
djrk gSA dfo fujarj vius fo"k; dh ç'kalk esa layXu gSA vHkh Hkh
lqjf{kr jgus dh vksj ,d gYdk lk b'kkjk gSA ijUrq l Posterity : It is given a human characteristic of ‘sight’
;g b'kkjk euq"; dh xq.k&xzg.k ;ksX;rk dh vksj gS] dfork dh l Mars : war is given the title of ‘mars’. This is rooted
vksj ughaA ‘‘Doom’’ 'kCn dk b'kkjk ml fnu dh vksj gS tc in Greek mythology, as Mars is the God of war.
bZ'ojh; naM fn;k tk;sxkA vkSj le; dk var gksxkA rc Hkh dfo dk l Time : as a slut. Just as the beauty of a slut undergoes
;g vfHkys[k cp tk;sxk vkSj var rd iz'kaluh; jgsxkA bu 'kCnksa }kjk great changes, so does time usher in great changes.
dfo vius ys[k osQ vejRo dh vksj b'kkjk djrk gSA
HYPERBOLE
dfo dg jgk gS fd e`R;q vkSj 'k=kqrk lc oqQN u"V dj nsrh
This means exaggeration, but too much
gSA ijUrq dkO; thfor jgrk gS oDr osQ lkFk vkxs c<+rk gS] viuk exaggeration which sometimes becomes unbelievable. In
LFkku xzg.k djrk gS vkSj ih<+h nj ih<+h vej gks tk;sxkA ckdh lc this poem, the poet claims that no amount of time or
oqQN fu.kZ; osQ fnu iSQlyk gksxkA change can obliterate the words he writes, shall make his
vafre Nan fiQj ,d laf{kIr fooj.k gS ^^lqjf{kr cps jgus** reader understand the awesome power as he as a
osQ fo"k; çlax dk! blesa cph gqbZ dfork dh iafDr;ksa dk Hkh wordsmith wields.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
7. Answer the following questions briefly. powerful long for? [C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)]
(a) Why do you think the rich and the powerful Ans. The rich and the powerful people erect monuments
people get monuments and statues erected in to not only show their wealth and power but as living
their memory? reminders of those people. They want the future
Or generations to know and remember them. They are
extremely vain people.
What, according to the poet, do the rich and

Literature D – 83
 (b) Describe how the monuments and statues brave (d) The poet says that neither forces of nature nor
the ravages of time? wars can destroy his poetry. In fact, even godly
Ans. Whether the monuments are gold-plated or powers of Mars will not have a devastating
otherwise, all the monuments crumble with time or they effect on his rhyme. What quality of the poet is
are destroyed by war. Climatic reasons, manual revealed through these lines?
desperation or otherwise all crumble and break with time. [C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)]

(c) Why does the poet refer to Time as being Ans. The poet believes that his subject will be
sluttish? honoured forever in his verses and they will never face
Ans. A slut loses her charm and beauty with time. extinction or destruction by the powers of nature and time.
Similarly time also changes fast as the charms of a The poet’s extreme optimism and deep faith in the power
prostitute. Time keeps changing, so does the beauty of of love is revealed in these lines.
such an inferior female.

8. Shakespeare’s sonnet has been divided into three quatrains of 4 lines each followed by a rhyming couplet.
Each quatrain is a unit of meaning. Read the poem carefully and complete the following table on the
structure of the poem.

Ans. Rhyme scheme Theme

Quatrain 1 ab ab Comparison between poetry and monuments.

Quatrain 2 cd cd Ravages of time on monuments contrasted with
living record of the beloved.
Quatrain 3 ef ef The recorded memory of beloved will continue till
posterity
Couplet gg Poetry immortalises friend

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. What is the theme of sonnet 55? concluding couplet seems to curiously satisfy the curiosity
Ans. Shakespeare believes that love is eternal and as to who is being referred to. It is enough that it lives in
everlasting. It cannot be destroyed or controlled by ‘the lover’s eyes for all the mysteries will be
materialistic things that are made to stand forever, but in comprehended on the last day of judgement. What
the end all are doomed to destruction like the gilded distinguishes Shakespeare from others is that he values the
monuments. Not even the sword of Mars or wars can identity of the beloved, he recognises that the beloved has
destroy love, Shakespeare’s true idea of love is that love his own personal immortality, that is no way dependent
will exist till the end of time. Since there is no end to love upon his poetry. So the poet’s verse will continue strongly
it will exist forever. even in the face of death and dispassionate enmity. It will
This sonnet shares this theme with other sonnets always live in poetry and in the eyes of the lovers who will
which oppose the power of verse to death and Time’s cruel read this. So the theme is love and the power of love that
knife and promise immortality to the beloved. The outlives all.

REFERENCE TO CONTEXT – MCQ

MCQss
Read the extracts given below and answer the (i) Here poetry as compared to monuments is
questions that follow: (a) long lasting
1. “Not marble nor the gilded monuments (b) short-lived
Of prices, shall outlive this powerful rhyme” (c) as powerful as gilded monuments
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 2. “You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.” (b) fires of wars
(ii) The phrase ‘lovers’ eyes signify (c) Destructive nature of war
(a) the loving eyes of a lover 4. “Living record of your memory.”
(b) the poetry will be forgotten forever (iv) Here living record refers to
(c) the poetry will survive all destruction (a) the sonnet the poet has written for his
friend
3. Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall
(b) an existing statue of his friend
burn (c) his friend who lives in the poet’s memory
(iii) Here sword of Mars is referred to Answer : (i) (a) (ii) (c) (iii) (c) (iv) (a)
(a) sword of mars, God of war

REFERENCE TO CONTEXT – NON-MCQ

NON-MCQss
Read the following extracts and answer the questions Ans : The written words of the poet will never be
that follow. destroyed by nature or time.
1. Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
(c) How are other things destroyed with time?
of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme
Ans : Other things, like monuments, statues will
(a) What are gilded monuments? be destroyed by nature-made or man-made disasters or war.
Ans : The monuments that are decorated and 4. Shall you pace forth, your praise shall find room
embellished with gold.
Even in the eyes of all posterity
(b) What purpose do the monuments serve? That wear this world out to the ending doom
Ans : They are symbols of power and riches to
remember the dead and the mighty. (a) What will happen to the praise of the
(c) What will powerful rhyme achieve? poet’s friend?

Ans : The powerful rhyme will immortalise the Ans : The poet’s friend will be remembered even
person in whose memory it is written. by the coming generations.
(b) What is the future of the world predicted?
2. But you shall shine more brightly in these contents
Ans : The physical world is doomed, it will be
Than unswept stone, besmeared with sluttish time
destroyed.
(a) Identify ‘you’
(c) What do the above lines reflect about the
Ans : The subject of the poet’s peom (it is not poet’s personality?
clearly indicated)
Ans : The poet is too concerned and loves his friend
(b) Explain – ‘‘sluttish time’’ too much.
Ans : Time is known to bring great changes.
Similarly, the beauty of a slut also undergoes changes. 5. So till the judgement, that yourself arise
You live in this and dwell in lover’s eyes
(c) Who shall shine more brightly?
Ans : The subject of the poet’s poem will be (a) What is ‘judgement’? Who delivers it?
remembered forever and its worth will not diminish with Ans : Judgement Day or Doomsday is when
the passage of time. everyone is rewarded or punished for their deeds by God.
3. Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn (b) Who will survive? How?
The living record of your memory. Ans : All else will be destroyed but poet’s love
[C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] for his friend will survive.
(a) Who is ‘Mars’ ? (c) Explain — ‘‘dwell in lover’s eyes’’.
Ans : In Greek mythology, he is the ‘god of war’. Ans : Poet’s love for his friend will survive because
(b) How will ‘living record’ survive the test
it will live on in the eyes of the lovers.
of time?
Literature D – 85
 SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. How does the poet compare ‘gilded 5. Explain – ‘‘You live in this, and dwell in lover’s
monuments’ with ‘powerful rhyme’? eyes’’
Ans : Both gilded ‘monuments’ and ‘rhyme’ are for Ans : The poet’s friend will live forever for he is
someone’s memory. But all kinds of monuments will never immortalised in the verses written by the poet. Everything
stand the test of time, they all will be destroyed with time. else will perish on the Judgement Day. But the poet’s love
But the poet’s love for his friend will survive and be for his friend will not perish, it will live in the eyes of the
immortalised. lovers forever.
2. What happens to monuments with time? 6. How has the poet eternalised the subject of his
Ans : The monuments are erected to honour someone or attention in the poem, 'Not Marble Nor the
to show one’s wealth or power. Any man-made disaster Gilded Monuments'?
like war or natural calamities can destroy these physical Ans : In this poem, the poet has eternalised his subject
signs of mermory. They can be razed to the ground. i.e. love. The poem reveals poet's extreme optimism and
deep faith in the power of love. According to him, Love is
3. Explain – ‘‘Nor Mars his sword nor wars’ quick beyond all barriers whether materialistic or physical. All
fire shall burn the living record of your other things are doomed for destruction but love will stand
memory.’’ the test of time. Since there is no end to love, it will exist
Ans : The poet says that no kind of wars and even the forever in the eyes of the lovers.
God of war with his powerful sword can ever destroy the 7. Explain in your words how his 'poetry' has
poems the poet has written for his friend. He means to say been glorified by the poet, in the poem, 'Not
that written words are immortal and cannot be destroyed Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments.'
by anyone.
Ans : In the very beginning of the poem, the poet talks
4. How will ‘posterity’ react to the verses that are about how time will not destroy the poem, though it will
written? destory the world's most powerful structures. He glorifies
Ans : ‘Posterity’ means ‘coming generations’. Writing is his poetry by saying that all the marble or gold plated
a permanent record of memory. Since the poems written monuments of the princes will get destroyed but the
for the poet’s friend will live forever, so future generations magnificence his poetry will live. The subject of poetry
will remember and revere them. will remain bright and will shine forever in comparison to
a neglected stone monument which is spoilt with time.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How is Time personified in the poem? What exist forever. Time’s cruel knife cuts everything, changes
purpose does it serve? all relations but not love. So the poet’s love for his friend
will continue strongly even in the face of death and
Ans : Time is a great leveller. It destroys everything like
dispassionate enmity. It will live forever in the eyes of the
the monuments or statues. All the magnificent structures of
lovers. So the theme is love and the power of love that
the world will be razed to the ground. Then ‘time is
outlives all.
personified as a slut which is an unfavourable comparison.
3. Discuss the use of literary devices in the poem.
Just as a slut’s beauty changes with time, similarly, time
Ans : The poet has resorted to the excessive use of
also changes everything. A slut’s physical beauty does not
personification in this poem. Shakespeare personified
last, nor does her attractions. Similarly time changes all
gilded monuments by giving them life spans. ‘Posterity’ is
relations or equations that one forges in life.
bestowed with the human quality of ‘sight’, war is given
2. What is the poet’s message in sonnet 55? the title of ‘Mars’ and time is also called a ‘slut’, who
Ans : The poet wishes to communicate that Love is changes too often. The poet also indulges in hyperbole,
beyond all barriers, whether materialistic or physical. All when he claims that no amount of time or change can
the other things are doomed for destruction but love will obliterate the words he writes, shall make his readers
stand the test of time. Since there is no end to love, it will understand the awesome power he wields as a poet. Then

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literary embellishments heighten the critical value of the Shakespeare's poem, 'Not Marble, Nor the Gilded
poem and make it more effective. Monuments.' At first it just went over my head but when
4. You were extremely impressed to read the my friend explained the poem and the theme i.e. love, in
poem, 'Not Marble, Nor the Gilded her own words, I was totally engrossed. The way the poet
Monuments'. Write a letter to a friend telling has eternalised love, stating that it is beyond all barriers,
her about the poem and your new found all other things are doomed, but love will stand the test of
interest in poetry. Sign yourself as Amit / Amita time, is simply marvellous. I couldn't restrain myself and
of 39, D-Block, Model Town, Delhi. read the poem on my own.
[C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] You will be surprised to know that I immediately
Ans : Dear Mamta, went to her library and borrowed poetry books from her to
read. I kept on reading the books till late at night. I am
Surprised to see one more letter in succession!
eagerly waiting for the day when you will come to my
Yes, but I could not resist myself from telling you
place and we both will sit together and read the poems
something about my new-found love. Do not guess it
from different poets. My regards to everyone at your end.
wrong–It is poetry.
Waiting eagerly
Mamta, you know I never liked to read poetry, as
you do, although you always asked me to do so. It was Your friend,
only yesterday that I met a friend of mine who is a diehard Amita
fan of Shakespeare's poetry. There I got a chance to read

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Prepare a project on SONNETS of Shakespeare which deal with the theme of Time.
2. Locate similar sonnets and list them out.
3. There is great suspense regarding the identity of the subject in Shakespeare’s sonnet. Locate similar poems
which are addressed to mysterious subjects.

Literature D – 87