Sonnet 73 as a Shakespearean Sonnet
Table of Contents
Introduction
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 is a quintessential example of a Shakespearean sonnet, both in terms of its formal structure and its thematic content. The Shakespearean sonnet, also known as the English sonnet, is defined by its 14-line structure, three quatrains followed by a concluding couplet, and a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. While Shakespeare’s sonnets often explore themes of love, time, beauty, and mortality, Sonnet 73 stands out for its poignant meditation on aging and the inevitable approach of death. The sonnet uses rich metaphors to explore the theme of time’s effect on human life, leading to a final couplet that expresses a deeper understanding of love in the face of mortality. This analysis will explore how Sonnet 73 adheres to the defining characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet, focusing on its structure, rhyme scheme, thematic development, and the use of metaphor and imagery.
The Structure and Form of a Shakespearean Sonnet
The Shakespearean sonnet is characterized by a distinctive structure: 14 lines divided into three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, a pattern that allows for a clear thematic development across the quatrains, with the final couplet offering a resolution or commentary on the themes presented earlier.
In Sonnet 73, the first three quatrains each introduce a different metaphor to convey the speaker’s sense of aging and impending mortality. The first quatrain uses the metaphor of late autumn, the second quatrain likens the speaker’s condition to twilight, and the third quatrain compares it to a dying fire. These quatrains are thematically interconnected, gradually deepening the exploration of aging and decline. The final rhymed couplet then shifts the focus to love, suggesting that an awareness of mortality strengthens the love shared between the speaker and the beloved. This progression from metaphorical exploration to an emotional resolution is a hallmark of the Shakespearean sonnet form.
The use of iambic pentameter, another key feature of Shakespearean sonnets, gives the poem a rhythmic flow that mirrors the natural cadence of speech. Each line is composed of five iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one), creating a steady beat that emphasizes the meditative tone of the poem. For example, the line “That time of year thou mayst in me behold” follows this pattern perfectly, enhancing the poem’s musicality and emotional impact.
The Rhyme Scheme and Its Significance
The ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme of Sonnet 73 is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The alternating rhymes in the quatrains create a sense of continuity and development, while the final couplet’s rhyming lines provide a sense of closure and resolution. The rhyme scheme not only structures the sonnet but also reinforces its thematic coherence.
In Sonnet 73, the rhyme scheme helps to unify the metaphors across the quatrains while also preparing the reader for the concluding couplet. The rhymes are subtle and natural, never feeling forced, which allows the reader to focus on the poem’s imagery and themes. The final couplet, which reads, “This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong, / To love that well which thou must leave ere long,” is particularly striking because the rhyme creates a sense of finality that complements the poem’s meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
Thematic Development Across the Quatrains
One of the most defining features of a Shakespearean sonnet is its thematic development across the three quatrains. In Sonnet 73, each quatrain introduces a different metaphor for aging and decline, progressively deepening the reader’s understanding of the speaker’s contemplation of mortality.
The first quatrain uses the metaphor of late autumn to depict the speaker’s stage in life:
“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.”
The image of barren trees with few remaining leaves conveys the idea of life nearing its end, while the “bare ruined choirs” evoke a sense of desolation and loss. This metaphor sets the tone for the sonnet, establishing the theme of decline and the passage of time.
The second quatrain shifts to the metaphor of twilight:
“In me thou seest 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.”
Twilight represents the final moments of life, with night symbolizing death. The imagery of fading light and encroaching darkness intensifies the theme of life’s transience, emphasizing that time is running out for the speaker. The metaphor also carries a sense of inevitability, as night must follow day just as death must follow life.
The third quatrain introduces the metaphor of a dying fire:
“In me thou seest the glowing of such fire / That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, / As the deathbed whereon it must expire, / Consumed with that which it was nourished by.”
The fire, once bright and full of life, is now reduced to glowing embers lying on the ashes of youth. This metaphor poignantly captures the idea that the energy and passion of youth have faded, leaving only remnants of what once was. The paradox in the line “Consumed with that which it was nourished by” highlights the irony that time, which once sustained life, also brings about its end.
The Role of the Final Couplet in a Shakespearean Sonnet
In a Shakespearean sonnet, the final rhymed couplet typically serves as a conclusion, offering a resolution, insight, or twist that ties together the themes presented in the quatrains. In Sonnet 73, the couplet reads:
“This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong, / To love that well which thou must leave ere long.”
The couplet shifts from the contemplation of aging and death to a reflection on love. The speaker addresses the beloved, suggesting that an awareness of mortality strengthens love. The knowledge that time is limited makes love more intense and meaningful. This couplet is crucial to the sonnet’s overall impact, as it transforms the poem from a somber meditation on decline into a celebration of love’s enduring power in the face of life’s transience.
The couplet’s succinct expression of this idea is typical of Shakespeare’s sonnets, where the final two lines often deliver a powerful conclusion that encapsulates the poem’s central message. In Sonnet 73, the couplet not only resolves the thematic concerns of the quatrains but also provides a sense of closure that aligns with the poem’s meditation on the passage of time.
Use of Metaphor and Imagery
Shakespeare’s use of metaphor and imagery in Sonnet 73 is a key feature that aligns the poem with the conventions of the Shakespearean sonnet. The extended metaphors in the quatrains—autumn, twilight, and a dying fire—are not merely decorative but are central to the sonnet’s exploration of aging and mortality. Each metaphor is carefully chosen to evoke the gradual decline of life, creating a vivid and emotionally resonant portrayal of the speaker’s stage in life.
The imagery in the first quatrain, such as “yellow leaves” and “bare ruined choirs,” creates a visual representation of decay and loss. The second quatrain’s imagery of fading light and encroaching night similarly evokes a sense of inevitability and closure. The third quatrain’s image of a fire reduced to embers lying on ashes is both powerful and poignant, conveying the exhaustion of life’s vitality.
These metaphors are emblematic of the Shakespearean sonnet’s ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through vivid and relatable imagery. The metaphors are not isolated images but are interconnected, creating a cohesive narrative that guides the reader through the sonnet’s meditation on time and love.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 is a classic example of a Shakespearean sonnet, both in its formal structure and in its thematic exploration. The sonnet adheres to the traditional 14-line structure, with three quatrains that develop metaphors of aging and mortality, followed by a rhymed couplet that offers a resolution focused on love. The use of iambic pentameter, the ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme, and the progression of themes across the quatrains all align with the conventions of the Shakespearean sonnet. Moreover, the sonnet’s rich metaphors and vivid imagery are characteristic of Shakespeare’s poetic style, creating a powerful meditation on the passage of time, the inevitability of death, and the enduring strength of love. Through its masterful use of form and content, Sonnet 73 stands as one of the most poignant and memorable examples of the Shakespearean sonnet tradition.
