Question

Read the lines from Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 55.”

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.

Which response most accurately explains the meaning of the lines?

A) Many people will try to fight against the speaker’s love for the subject of this poem, but their true love will prevail.
B) War, represented metaphorically by the god Mars, cannot harm a poetic tribute of love.
C) Although the physical poem may be burnt in a war, the speaker will remember his love forever.
D) The speaker is in love, but he must figuratively pick up Mars’s sword and leave his lover to fight in a war.

Answer 1

d makes the most sense.
he is using figurative speech

Answer 2

Answer:

A) Many people will try to fight against the speaker’s love for the subject of this poem, but their true love will prevail.

Explanation:

This is the option that most accurately describes the meaning of the lines. In these lines, we learn that the author talks about his love, and about war. War in this case is a metaphor for things that could go wrong. The speaker believes that people will be motivated to fight against his love. This is conveyed by the presence of Mars and the idea of war. However, he believes that throughout all of this, the speaker's love will prevail.