Themes 

The Power of Love: The poem celebrates love’s purity and strength. It shows love as gentle, truthful, and forgiving. Even in a world full of fear and death, love gives peace.

Human Mortality and Time: Auden reminds us that beauty and life fade with time. The beloved is mortal, yet beautiful to the lover. The poem accepts death as a natural part of love.

Acceptance of Imperfection: The poet accepts human weakness as part of love. He calls the beloved “mortal, guilty, but beautiful.” Real love sees beauty beyond faults and failures.

Transience and Spiritual Peace: The poem contrasts a short human life with eternal peace. Though dreams fade, dawn brings renewal and hope. Love gives the soul calmness that never dies.