Not Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments

Like most of Shakespeare's works, this poem is written in iambic pentameter. The poem has three quatrains, followed by a couplet. The ending words of every other lines are in assonance. Shakespeare uses alliteration a few times in this poem, for example, "When wasteful war" and "shall shine." The tone of this poem is serious, but uplifting. The poem points out that monuments and everything else that has been built will be destroyed in time or in war, but love is eternal. Love and memories are the most important things in our lives because they can not be taken away by anyone. A life full of love means more than a life filled with fame.