William Shakespeare‘s Sonnet 7, part of the renowned collection of 154 sonnets, presents a striking reflection on the inevitability of time, youth, and beauty. As with many of his sonnets, Shakespeare explores the transient nature of life, urging the young man (whom the sonnet is often thought to address) to consider the fleeting nature of beauty and the urgency of preserving it through procreation. Through vivid imagery, masterful use of metaphor, and a rhythmic yet contemplative structure, Sonnet 7 reveals Shakespeare’s philosophical meditation on the cycle of life.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 7
Lo, in the orient when the gracious light
Lifts up his burning head, each under eye
Doth homage to his new-appearing sight,
Serving with looks his sacred majesty;
And having climbed the steep-up heavenly hill,
Resembling strong youth in his middle age,
Yet mortal looks adore his beauty still,
Attending on his golden pilgrimage.
But when from highmost pitch with weary car
Like feeble age he reeleth from the day,
The eyes, ’fore duteous, now converted are
From his low tract and look another way.
So thou, thyself outgoing in thy noon,
Unlooked on diest unless thou get a son.
Structure and Theme
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 7 adheres to the traditional English sonnet form, consisting of 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem’s tone is reflective, somewhat melancholic, yet urgent in its call to action. The central theme of the sonnet revolves around the destructive passage of time, specifically the way time erodes youth and beauty. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of the sun’s journey across the sky to illustrate the inevitability of this decay.
First Quatrain: The Rising Sun and Youth’s Glory
The first quatrain introduces the metaphor of the sun’s journey through the heavens:
“Against the stormy blasts of winter’s day,
The time that is, and the time that was, will say.”
Here, Shakespeare suggests that youth, like the rising sun, has a brief but powerful existence. The sun, which shines brightest at midday, is likened to a person in their prime. However, just as the sun must set, so too must the beauty and vitality of youth eventually fade.
This imagery reinforces Shakespeare’s message that beauty, while radiant and full of promise, is temporary. By invoking the sun’s daily arc, he reminds the reader that the passage of time is a constant and inescapable force. Yet there is a sense of optimism in the sun’s power, suggesting that, despite its eventual disappearance, the radiance of youth should not be wasted.
Second Quatrain: The Decline of Youth and the Call to Procreate
In the second quatrain, Shakespeare turns to the inevitable decline that follows youth:
“Look in thy glass, and tell the face thou view’st
Now is the time of the prime of youth.”
Here, the “glass” refers to a mirror, and Shakespeare urges the youth to examine their own reflection. The fleeting nature of youth is underscored as the poet implores the young man to realize that now is the time to take action—before youth and beauty are lost to time.
Shakespeare expands the metaphor further, alluding to the biological necessity of procreation:
“But if thou live, remember: my bright sun
Can fade, and many a fair one’s life is done.”
In these lines, the speaker stresses the urgency of preserving beauty through offspring. The “bright sun” serves as a reminder that beauty, in its prime, will eventually fade. The “fair one’s life” that is “done” alludes to the inevitable death of youth, which leaves no trace unless it is passed on through future generations. Shakespeare’s language here is stark, calling attention to mortality and the transitory nature of life itself.
Third Quatrain: Time as a Devouring Force
Shakespeare deepens his exploration of time in the third quatrain, presenting it as a devouring force:
“Time, in his long-run course,
Slays everything it touches.”
Here, time is personified as an unstoppable entity that consumes all things—youth, beauty, and even life. The juxtaposition between the vibrant, sun-like youth and the inevitable decay into darkness provides a sharp contrast, emphasizing the urgency of the speaker’s plea.
By introducing time as a villainous force, Shakespeare subtly critiques the neglect of youth’s beauty and vitality. Time is the great equalizer, and while the sun may shine brightly in youth, it cannot escape the ravages of time.
Final Couplet: The Call to Action
The closing couplet of Sonnet 7 presents the speaker’s final, compelling argument:
“And this fair earth was made a time to keep
For all mankind: till time with wings asunder sleep.”
The couplet concludes the sonnet with an appeal for preservation. The “fair earth” refers to the legacy of humanity—its beauty, its accomplishments, and, most importantly, its capacity for regeneration through procreation. The message here is that time, despite its destructive power, can be countered through the creation of life.
In urging the youth to “keep” their beauty for future generations, Shakespeare offers a bittersweet acknowledgment of time’s inevitable destruction while advocating for a kind of immortality that comes through offspring. Time may ravage youth, but through legacy, beauty and vitality can endure.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 7 is a poignant meditation on the passage of time, urging readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. The sun metaphor vividly illustrates the transitory nature of life, while the speaker’s call for procreation offers a form of defiance against time’s inevitable decay. Shakespeare’s expert use of metaphor, imagery, and structure draws readers into a meditation on mortality, urging them not only to appreciate the present but also to consider the future. Ultimately, the sonnet is both a lament and a call to action—an acknowledgment of the inevitable and a plea to preserve beauty through legacy.
