Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Shakespeare Sonnets

 

This technique illustrates the meaning of the sonnet perfectly.
             Line 8 draws reference to the symbolism of flowers being gathered to be placed on top of the coffin, "bier-. The life of the flowers and the death of the man are two opposites brought together to represent the transition of life. While the flowers may appear to have all the colour and beauty of youth and life, they have been picked and are slowly dying as well.
             The second Quatrain presents continued images of decay, "lofty trees barren of leaves- and "white and bristly beard-. The metaphor of nature is continued in the fifth line. Life turns to death, just as trees once tall and full of leaves are now "barren-. The narration continues to embellish on how life turns to death with a metaphor of trees once being full of leaves and life, have now grow old and fallen off. .
             Lines 7 and 8 explain how the "sheaves- or crop, which grew during the summer have been tied and bundled up. The "sheaves- and carried away on a bier (cart), which can also be interpreted as being a coffin. The crop can be assumed to be corn and therefore the idea of the "sheaves- looking old and white is another comparison to death, just as an old man's beard will turn white. Carrying "summer's green- away on .
             a bier is like carrying it to its grave because its life has been cut .
             The third quatrain deals with the importance of youth and beauty. "Then of thy beauty do I question make- this is reflective of the fact that youth and beauty both fade, but inner beauty and lust for life doesn't. There is also a sense of "Carpe Diem- here.
             The narrator is saying that his love is beautiful, but like all beautiful things, with time, will die. But he brings up a touch of hope when he says, "And die as fast as they see others grow." The cycle of life is continuous and once something dies, another form of life will grow to replace it. Death does not leave everything barren, but life does come to replace itself.


Essays Related to Shakespeare Sonnets