STAR Explanation

Polaris, the North Star, is the current pole star. So it has been valued as a constant for thousands of years, since it is only 1 degree away from true north.

Shakespeare could not have known that Polaris is a binary star, two stars orbiting around each other, nor that the pole star changes every 7,500 to 9,000 years. He also didn't know it is 300 light years away. He knew it was the basis of navigation--and it still is. That made it an appropriate symbol for love's constancy in this poem.

Not only sailors use the North Star to guide them. It was also the guiding light for the Underground Railroad. How do you think sailors and escaping slaves felt when they could look at the North Star and realize that they were on the right course toward their destination? That's how true lovers feel, suggests this poem.

Visit his site for various photos--click on the image map or on the animated dots to see parts of his Website.