Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments Summary Class 10 English

Summary of Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments

In this article, you will be reading not marble, nor the gilded monuments summary, the 55th sonnet written by William Shakespeare. It is a poem of fourteen lines that follows a specific structure and a strict rhyme scheme. The poem tells us about the grandeur and limitations of worldly glory. All the monuments, memorials, and statues made by the great rulers are subject to decay. The ruins of time and the agents of downfall damage all such monuments and relics. Only the great rhyme of the poet and their powerful poetry will survive the destruction. This Shakespearian sonnet says that the love will remain immortal and the beauty of the poem will live on forever enshrined in its words.

Through the written words of this poem, the memory of the poet’s friend will remain until the day of the Last Judgment. The poet speaks to a specific love in this poem, although it is not clear whether it is a human or more abstract love.

Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments Summary in English

The poet says that the gold – plated monuments built by royal men will not be remembered by the future generations whereas, this piece of poetry will live longer than the stone statues. Through this powerful poetry, the poet’s beloved soldier referred to as ‘you’ will also shine for all times to come. The poetry will remain shining and fresh while the statues will be neglected and wear out with time. The poet says that wars are wasteful as they destroy the great monuments and turn them into ruins. Such fights are destructive for the statues built by the royal men.

This poetry has been written in the memory of the brave man who will survive through all the wars. Even the greatest warrior Mars cannot destroy it with his sword. The Brave man will remain alive through this poem even after his death. All the generations that will be born will read this poem and praise the poet’s beloved till the end of the world. The poet refers to the ‘Judgement day’ when Jesus Christ will descend on the Earth to judge our behaviour. The poet says that he will remain alive through this poem till the day of judgment when his beloved will arise. Everyone will praise the brave man and his deeds after reading the poem.

The poet here has personified time as a slut which means being disloyal. The princes and the powerful, who enjoyed great privileges will lose their charm and beauty just like a slut. In this poem, the poet is confident and optimistic. He believes that the forces of war or nature cannot destroy his poem. The poem deals with the unique theme of immortality sought by the princes, great rulers, and the rich. Shakespeare wishes to erect an everlasting monument which he believes will stand the test of time. The poet compares his poetry with the unperishable thing that has the power to outlive stone and marble monuments. The poet refers to Mars, who is the god of war and force of destruction and animosity in Greek Mythology.

Conclusion of Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments

The poem teaches us that the love and peace issue the ultimate force that can overpower any force of violence and destruction.