ntioning numerous things that prevented their relationship from becoming public knowledge. "He is poor . . . and outranked by his adored youth, who appears to be a noble and a darling of Fortune. Thus the friendship suffers a marked disparity, which is a substantial obstacle in the way of an ideal relationship" (Landry 5). In the case of the dark woman, "impediments" might mean that she is already married, a close relative, or in love with the young man. In both cases, Shakespeare believes that if his love is true than all the barriers will be broken down between he and his one true love. Lines 2-4 mean, "Love isn't really love if it changes when we notice our beloved has changed. Love doesn't vary when someone tries to lure us away from our beloved" (www.vccslitonline.cc.va.us). Shakespeare is saying that if love is unconditional then one should be able to forgive all the mistakes a loved one has made. He could be saying that he is forgiving the young man and dark woman for their affair because he loves them unconditionally."In the second quatrain, the speaker begins to describe what real love actually is, . . ." (Shakespeare 2). Shakespeare uses these four lines to describe what ideal love means to him. He says, "Love is like a rock, and storms can't undermine it" (www.vccslitonline.cc.va.us). In his mind, nothing can prevent true love from achieving over anything that might attempt to destroy it. In line 7 Shakespeare describes love using a nautical metaphor and light imagery. He says true love is like the north star guiding sailors (loved ones) on their way (to their true loves). Shakespeare closes the second quatrain by saying "we can't really see its [love's] true value even if we can quantify love somehow" (www.vccslitonline.cc.va.us). To him, Shakespeare's concept of ideal love is immeasurable and this is how he views his friendship with the young man and is able to forgive him for having an affair with the woman ...
