# XXV explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The speaker contrasts the fleeting public honors of those favored by fortune with the enduring joy of private love, asserting that true happiness lies in a love that is secure and unchanging.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The speaker contrasts the deceptive allure of public honor with the true and lasting value of mutual love.

### Love and Desire

The speaker celebrates the security of being loved and loving, which transcends the instability of worldly accolades.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

The speaker reflects on the instability of public honor versus the constancy of love.

### Fortune

Fortune is depicted as barring the speaker from public triumph, yet the speaker finds joy elsewhere.

### Love

Love is presented as the source of the speaker's happiness, immune to the vicissitudes of fortune.

## Key lines

> Let those who are in favour with their stars Of public honour and proud titles boast, Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars, Unlook’d for joy in that I honour most.

Let those blessed by fate boast of their titles and public glory, while I, denied such success by fortune, find unexpected joy in what I truly value.

_The speaker contrasts the ephemeral nature of public honor with the deeper satisfaction of personal love._

> The painful warrior famoused for fight, After a thousand victories once foil’d, Is from the book of honour razed quite, And all the rest forgot for which he toil’d:

The weary warrior renowned for battle, after countless victories, is entirely erased from the record of honor if he suffers a single defeat, and all his past efforts are forgotten.

_This illustrates the fragility of fame and the harsh judgment of public memory._

> Then happy I, that love and am beloved Where I may not remove nor be removed.

So I am happy, because I love and am loved in a bond that cannot be broken or taken away.

_The speaker concludes that secure, mutual love is the true source of happiness, immune to fortune's changes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters