# VIII explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare. ## What happens The poet celebrates the harmony between music and poetry, likening them to sister and brother, and asserts a deep bond with the friend who loves music (Dowland) while the poet loves poetry (Spenser). Both arts are united in the friend, who embodies the god of both. ## Themes in this chapter ### Art and Immortality The union of music and poetry in the friend suggests that art transcends individual forms and grants enduring beauty. ## Character check-ins ### William Shakespeare The poet who loves Spenser's poetry and addresses the friend. ### Muse Implied as the inspiration for poetry and music, united in the friend. ## Key lines > If music and sweet poetry agree, As they must needs, the sister and the brother, Then must the love be great ’twixt thee and me, Because thou lovest the one, and I the other. Since music and poetry are naturally harmonious like siblings, our love must be strong because you love music and I love poetry. _The poet establishes a parallel between the arts and their mutual affection._ > Dowland to thee is dear, whose heavenly touch Upon the lute doth ravish human sense; Spenser to me, whose deep conceit is such As, passing all conceit, needs no defence. You cherish Dowland's divine lute playing, while I admire Spenser's profound poetic imagination that surpasses all thought and requires no justification. _The poet contrasts their artistic preferences, linking each to a specific master._ > One god is god of both, as poets feign; One knight loves both, and both in thee remain. Poets say that a single god rules over both arts, and one knight (the friend) loves both, so both arts reside in you. _The friend is portrayed as the embodiment of the unity of music and poetry._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/viii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters