Sonnet 73, written by William Shakespeare, is one of his most famous works. Like many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, this poem explores the theme of time and its effects on human life. In Sonnet 73, the speaker reflects on the passing of time, old age, and the inevitable decline of the body and spirit. This poem speaks to universal experiences, such as the fear of death and the struggle to make the most of life.
Shakespeare’s writing often touches on deep, complex emotions, but he does so in a way that resonates with everyone, regardless of age or background. This article will take a closer look at Sonnet 73 and explain its meaning in simpler terms, breaking down its themes, structure, and the language used.
Sonnet 73: An Overview
Before diving into the analysis, let’s take a look at Sonnet 73 in its entirety. Here is the poem:
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see’st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
This sonnet is part of the group of 154 sonnets written by Shakespeare. It is part of a series of sonnets that reflect on love, beauty, time, and the inevitability of aging and death.
Understanding the Structure of Sonnet 73
To fully understand Sonnet 73, it’s helpful to first understand its structure. The sonnet follows a traditional English sonnet form, also known as the Shakespearean sonnet. This structure consists of:
14 lines
Three quatrains (four-line stanzas)
A final rhymed couplet (two lines)
The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, where each letter represents a different sound in the poem. The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.
In Sonnet 73, the structure is consistent with this form, providing a rhythm and flow that emphasizes the central themes.
Line-by-Line Breakdown of Sonnet 73
Let’s now look at the sonnet in detail, line by line, to understand its meaning.
Line 1: “That time of year thou mayst in me behold”
In the first line, the speaker introduces the image of “that time of year,” which refers to autumn. Autumn is a season that represents aging and the passing of time. The speaker suggests that this season is reflected in themselves. The word “thou” is an old-fashioned way of saying “you,” indicating that the speaker is addressing someone directly, possibly a lover or a friend.
Line 2: “When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang”
The speaker compares themselves to the trees in autumn, where the leaves are either yellow or have fallen off completely. The imagery of leaves fading or disappearing represents the decline of life and beauty. It suggests that the speaker, too, is in a time of life where they are losing their vitality.
Line 3: “Upon those boughs which shake against the cold”
The branches of the tree are shaken by the cold wind, emphasizing the harshness of the season and the inevitable loss of life. This image of the shaking boughs also reflects the speaker’s feelings of vulnerability as they face the cold, unyielding passage of time.
Line 4: “Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang”
This line is a continuation of the autumn imagery. The “bare ruined choirs” refer to the empty, desolate trees that once echoed with the songs of birds. The image of the birds singing in the past contrasts with the present silence, symbolizing the loss of youth, energy, and joy.
Line 5: “In me thou see’st the twilight of such day”
The speaker shifts to a new metaphor, comparing themselves to the twilight of the day. Twilight is the time when the sun begins to set, marking the end of the day. This suggests that the speaker is in the later stages of their life, with their strength and energy beginning to fade, much like the sun sinking into the horizon.
Line 6: “As after sunset fadeth in the west”
The fading of the sunset represents the gradual decline into darkness, which here symbolizes death. The speaker is acknowledging that, just like the sunset fades into night, their life is gradually fading into the final stages of old age and eventual death.
Line 7: “Which by and by black night doth take away”
The “black night” here is a metaphor for death, which follows the fading sunset. This line emphasizes the certainty of death, just as night inevitably follows the sunset. It conveys the idea that death is inescapable and is a natural part of life’s cycle.
Line 8: “Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest”
In this line, the speaker refers to night as “Death’s second self,” meaning that night is a kind of temporary death. Night is a time when everything rests, and nothing is visible, just like death, which brings an eternal rest. The comparison between night and death emphasizes the idea of restfulness and finality.
Line 9: “In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire”
The speaker now introduces a new metaphor: the glowing of fire. Fire here represents life and vitality. The speaker’s life, like a fire, was once full of energy and warmth, but it is now in its final stages.
Line 10: “That on the ashes of his youth doth lie”
The fire, which is now glowing, rests on the ashes of the speaker’s youth. The ashes symbolize the remnants of their past life, the youthful vigor that has faded away. The fire, though still burning, is now weaker and closer to its end, just like the speaker’s life.
Line 11: “As the death-bed whereon it must expire”
This line brings the death metaphor to a climax. The fire is compared to a person lying on a deathbed, ready to expire. The speaker is acknowledging the inevitable end that awaits them, just as a fire must eventually burn out.
Line 12: “Consumed with that which it was nourished by”
The fire has been nourished by fuel—wood, for example—but now it is consumed by that very fuel. This line suggests that the speaker’s life, like the fire, has been sustained by their youth and energy, but now those same qualities are leading to the end of life. The inevitability of death is once again highlighted.
Line 13: “This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong”
In the final quatrain, the speaker turns to address the person they are speaking to. They suggest that the person perceives the speaker’s aging and impending death, and this recognition actually strengthens their love. By understanding the speaker’s vulnerability and the preciousness of life, the person is reminded to cherish their time together.
Line 14: “To love that well which thou must leave ere long”
The final line serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life. The speaker urges the listener to love deeply and wholeheartedly, for they must soon part from the speaker. This love is made all the more powerful by the knowledge that it is fleeting.
Themes in Sonnet 73
Now that we have examined the poem line by line, let’s explore some of the key themes in Sonnet 73.
The Passage of Time
Time is one of the central themes in Sonnet 73. The speaker reflects on how time has changed them, just as autumn marks the end of a cycle for the trees. Time brings aging, decay, and death. However, the speaker also acknowledges the beauty of life’s transience, as it makes love and moments of joy more meaningful.
Aging and Mortality
The speaker directly addresses the inevitable process of aging and the approaching end of life. The metaphors of twilight, dying fire, and autumn leaves all point to the fragility of life and the certainty of death. However, there is also an acceptance of this reality, which makes the poem more poignant.
The Power of Love
Despite the focus on death and aging, the poem also emphasizes the strength of love. The speaker suggests that recognizing the impermanence of life makes love stronger, urging the person to love well while they can. Love, in this sense, becomes a way to transcend the limitations of time and mortality.
Conclusion
Sonnet 73 is a powerful reflection on aging, the passage of time, and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and poignant metaphors, Shakespeare conveys the fragile nature of life. Yet, the poem also carries a message of love—how love becomes even more precious when we understand how fleeting life is. By recognizing the transient nature of our existence, we are reminded to cherish the moments we have and the people we love.
