William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 is a poignant meditation on the themes of aging, mortality, and the passage of time. As with many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, the poem explores the nature of love, but in this instance, it casts love in the context of the inevitable process of aging and the eventual death that comes with it. Through vivid natural imagery and a refined use of metaphor, Shakespeare invites the reader to contemplate the fragility of life, urging a deeper appreciation for love in the face of time’s ravages.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73
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.
Overall Structure and Tone of Sonnet 73
Sonnet 73 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet, consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, organized into three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The meter and rhyme lend a rhythmic musicality to the sonnet, enhancing its meditative quality.
The tone of Sonnet 73 is somber and reflective, marked by a deep awareness of aging and the impermanence of life. Despite its melancholic nature, there is an undercurrent of acceptance and even a call for appreciation of love in its full depth. The speaker’s realization of his mortality prompts him to reflect on how such awareness can deepen the affection and devotion of the person he loves.
Analysis of Sonnet 73
Lines 1–4
“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 these opening lines, Shakespeare employs imagery drawn from nature to illustrate the state of the speaker’s aging body. The “yellow leaves” symbolize the onset of autumn, a time of decline, suggesting the speaker’s advanced years. The line “or none, or few” reflects the precariousness of the speaker’s condition, evoking the idea that life is fading, just as autumn leaves eventually fall.
The “boughs which shake against the cold” evoke the image of a tree shuddering in the harshness of winter, an image that mirrors the vulnerability of the aging body. The “bare ruined choirs” is a striking metaphor, comparing the desolate, leafless tree to a church choir that has lost its singers. This image, with its sense of emptiness and abandonment, emphasizes the absence of vitality and the silence that follows the passing of the birds. The choice of “choirs” also introduces a note of loss and decay—what was once filled with life and sound is now abandoned and desolate.
Lines 5–8
“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.”
Shakespeare continues his use of natural metaphors, comparing the speaker’s aging process to the twilight hours of the day. “Twilight” is often associated with the gradual fading of light before nightfall, mirroring the decline of youth and the approach of old age. The mention of “sunset” further reinforces the passage of time, signaling the inevitable end of the day (and metaphorically, the end of life).
The transition from “twilight” to “black night” symbolizes death itself, which “doth take away” the last vestiges of life, sealing it in eternal rest. Shakespeare refers to “Death’s second self,” likely meaning sleep, which is often used as a metaphor for death in literature. The line implies that, much like sleep, death is a natural part of the life cycle, one that brings peace and rest, but also an irreversible finality.
Lines 9–12
“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.”
In this quatrain, Shakespeare shifts the metaphor to fire. The “glowing of such fire” represents the last remnants of life and vitality, a final flicker of energy in the speaker’s aging body. The fire, once vibrant in youth, now rests “on the ashes of his youth,” emphasizing that what remains is a diminished version of what once was.
The phrase “death-bed” deepens the sense of finality, positioning the fire as something that must eventually “expire” as it burns through the very fuel that once nourished it. The fire is both a symbol of life and death, showing how the speaker’s vitality is now being consumed by time itself, with the end result being the extinguishing of life—just as fire consumes fuel until nothing remains.
Lines 13–14
“This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.”
In the final lines of the sonnet, the speaker reflects on how the awareness of mortality can strengthen love. The person to whom the speaker addresses the sonnet is invited to see the transience of life, and, rather than withdrawing or feeling pity, to embrace a deeper love, recognizing that the time they share is limited. Shakespeare suggests that the knowledge of impending separation—whether through aging or death—intensifies the desire to cherish and love more deeply. The fleeting nature of life enhances the value of the present moment, urging the reader to love “that well which thou must leave ere long.”
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 is a masterful exploration of aging, mortality, and love. Through rich natural imagery and metaphors, the poet reflects on the transient nature of life, urging a deeper appreciation of love in the face of time’s relentless passage. By using metaphors like the autumn leaves, twilight, and the dying fire, Shakespeare crafts a vivid portrait of the inevitable decline of the human body and the passage of time. However, rather than dwelling solely on loss, the poem encourages a greater, more intense devotion to the loved one, making the most of the time that remains. It is a reflection on how love, in the face of life’s impermanence, can find deeper meaning and strength.
