Question

Shakespeare tries to convey an important message through his sonnet, ‘ Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments’. What is it?
(Cbse class 10 English Communicative Question paper 2015)

Answer 1

In this poem the poet pays tribute to the quality of his verses and also to the intensity of his love for his friend,the Earl of Southampton. The poet is confident that his versus will continue to be that forever. He will write off his friend in his verses. He will write in the praise of his friend's popularity. Thus he will immortalize the memory of his friend through his verses. The poet says that time takes away the beauty of all things. Wars bring with them death and destruction. They destroy great work of architecture and even gilded monuments. But he says that even time and war will have no effect on his friend. His friend will outlive all other things of the world when he is described in the poet's verses. Thus his memory will live till the day of the Last Judgement.

Answer 2

Hi sir, I may try to reach to the correct answer.

Apparently in the poem, 'Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments' Shakespeare conveys a message we should never forget. The outline is based on the controversy that all physical bodies in this universe are mortal and will perish in time. On the other hand, poetry is such a verse which will continue until time itself. The poet flags the belief that ego is momentary, while love is immortal.