William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 108 is one of his beloved 154 sonnets, known for their deep reflection on love, time, and the inevitability of aging. Like many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, it delves into the complexities of the poet’s emotional state while addressing a young male lover. The sonnet’s language is rich and expressive, and its structure, tone, and thematic exploration make it a timeless piece of poetic reflection.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 108
What’s in the brain that ink may character
Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit?
What’s new to speak, what now to register,
That may express my love or thy dear merit?
Nothing, sweet boy; but yet, like prayers divine,
I must each day say o’er the very same,
Counting no old thing old, thou mine, I thine,
Even as when first I hallowed thy fair name.
So that eternal love in love’s fresh case
Weighs not the dust and injury of age,
Nor gives to necessary wrinkles place,
But makes antiquity for aye his page,
Finding the first conceit of love there bred,
Where time and outward form would show it dead.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 108
Sonnet 108 follows the traditional Shakespearean (or English) sonnet form. This consists of 14 lines, each written in iambic pentameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The Shakespearean sonnet structure is composed of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a rhymed couplet. Each quatrain develops a specific aspect of the theme, while the final couplet offers a conclusion or a twist on the previous statements.
The tone of Sonnet 108 is both contemplative and affectionate. There is a sense of quiet resolve as the speaker contemplates the nature of his love for the young man, as well as his thoughts on the passage of time. Despite the inevitable aging process, the tone remains positive, reaffirming the enduring power of love. The speaker also displays an awareness of the limitations of language and form but asserts that his love transcends these limitations.
Analysis of Sonnet 108
Lines 1–4
“What’s in the brain that ink may character
Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit?
What’s new to speak, what now to register,
That may express my love or thy dear merit?”
In these opening lines, the speaker begins by questioning the capacity of language and written word to fully capture the depth of his feelings. “Brain” and “ink” are metaphors for the mind and the act of writing, respectively. The speaker is acutely aware that no amount of writing can fully convey his “true spirit”—the true essence of his love. The use of the phrase “What’s new to speak” indicates that the speaker has already expressed his feelings many times, but now struggles to find something novel to say. This reveals a sense of weariness with conventional expressions of love and a desire for a more meaningful way to articulate his emotions.
Lines 5–8
“Nothing, sweet boy; but yet, like prayers divine,
I must each day say o’er the very same,
Counting no old thing old, thou mine, I thine,
Even as when first I hallowed thy fair name.”
In these lines, the speaker admits that there is nothing new to express. However, the act of expressing love becomes almost sacred or ritualistic, like repeating prayers. The comparison to prayer highlights the consistency and devotion with which the speaker expresses his feelings. The repetition of “thou mine, I thine” reinforces the idea that love, in its most pure and selfless form, remains unchanged despite the passage of time. The reference to “hallowed thy fair name” further emphasizes the reverence with which the speaker holds the young man—his love has elevated him to a sacred status. Even though the love is not “new,” it is nonetheless eternally precious and meaningful.
Lines 9–12
“So that eternal love in love’s fresh case
Weighs not the dust and injury of age,
Nor gives to necessary wrinkles place,
But makes antiquity for aye his page,”
Here, the speaker contrasts the ephemeral nature of physical age with the eternal nature of true love. “Eternal love” is described as existing in a “fresh case,” meaning it remains unaffected by the ravages of time. The “dust and injury of age” represent the physical decline that comes with time, but the speaker insists that this does not diminish the value or beauty of love. The phrase “necessary wrinkles” alludes to the natural process of aging, yet the speaker argues that these physical signs of age do not detract from love’s worth. Instead, love makes “antiquity” its “page,” suggesting that the passage of time itself becomes a testament to the enduring strength of love. The idea here is that true love transcends physical form and continues to thrive, regardless of age.
Lines 13–14
“Finding the first conceit of love there bred,
Where time and outward form would show it dead.”
In the final couplet, the speaker draws attention to the paradox that love, though seemingly diminished by time and outward changes, is actually reborn through time. The “first conceit of love” refers to the original spark of love, which persists even in the face of time and aging. The “first conceit” is not merely a fleeting emotion but an enduring foundation, suggesting that love is not just about youthful passion but about an ongoing and deepening bond. Time and physical form may suggest that love fades, but the speaker finds that love, in its truest form, grows stronger and more significant with age. This closing idea reinforces the theme that love’s power is not bound by temporal limits but is instead eternal.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 108 offers a beautiful exploration of the relationship between time, language, and love. The poem reveals the tension between the impermanence of human life and the eternal nature of genuine affection. The speaker, while acknowledging the limitations of language and the inevitable signs of aging, affirms that love remains a powerful, transcendent force. By structuring the poem around the interplay of repetition, ritual, and the passage of time, Shakespeare communicates that the true essence of love is not diminished by time but is instead reaffirmed by it. The sonnet thus becomes a celebration of enduring love, one that transcends the physical and linguistic boundaries of the world.
