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Sacrifice In Oranges 'And Forever'

Decent Essays

True love is desired by the majority of people, constantly portrayed in the media, and the subject of a limitless number of literary works. Yet that does not mean it is effortlessly obtained. Where true love can be found, so can sacrifice. The notion that love requires sacrifice has influenced numerous poems over the years, including the poems “Oranges” by Gary Soto, “Forever” by musician Ben Harper, and Shakespeare’s “Sonnet #130.” While these poems focus on different forms of sacrifices, they are similar in the way that they are all in the name of love. A boy gives up materialistic possessions for a significant other in “Oranges.” Freedom is the victim of sacrifice in the poem “Forever.” “Sonnet #130” touches on the idealistic beauty standards …show more content…

So often in today’s society people get caught up in the importance of material sacrifices, such as the ones in “Oranges” and ignore the more important emotional sacrifices, such as the ones in “Sonnet #130.” While the sacrifice of material possessions is a simple and easy way to show someone affection, it is just that, easy. It lasts only a second and then the moment has passed, never to be experienced again. The thought of the chocolate in “Oranges” disappeared as soon as it was consumed, although the mistress of “Sonnet #130” knows that despite how society views her, her romantic interest has decided to love her anyways, and the knowledge of his sacrifice will bring her comfort for the rest of her life. Sacrifices in the name of love take many forms, but the commonality of them all is that the individual making the sacrifice feels they are worth it. In “Oranges the boy never complains of giving up his orange or nickel, because making her happy was worth the price. In “Forever” Ben Harper feels giving up the rest of his life to be with someone is worth it, as the alternative of a shortened forever is unfulfilling “I don’t want that kind of forever/ In my life anymore.” The ending of “Sonnet #130” reveals Shakespeare’s feelings on if his sacrifice was worth it “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare/ As any she belied with false compare.” While true love may require endless amounts of sacrifice, it certainly seems to be worth

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