Love comforeth like sunshine after rain,But Lust's effect is tempest after sun.Love's gentle spring doth always fresh remain;Lust's winter comes ere summer half be done.Love surfeits not, Lust like a glutton dies;Love is all truth, Lust full of forged lies.
In "Venus and Adonis," Shakespeare draws a contrast between love and lust, portraying love as a nurturing and comforting force akin to sunshine following a storm. This enduring quality of love represents a fresh and vibrant spring, consistently rejuvenating those it touches. In contrast, lust is likened to a violent tempest that disrupts peace and harmony, signifying its fleeting nature that often brings chaos instead of joy.
Shakespeare further illustrates that love is fulfilling and does not lead to excess, while lust is portrayed as insatiable and ultimately destructive, consuming itself like a glutton. Where love embodies honesty and sincerity, lust is characterized by deception and falsehood. Thus, through this contrast, the poem emphasizes the timeless and truthful essence of love in opposition to the transient and deceitful nature of lust.
