As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow’st,
In one of thine, from that which thou departest;
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow’st,
Thou mayst call thine, when thou from youth convertest.
Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase;
Without this, folly, age, and cold decay:
If all were minded so, the times should cease,
And threescore year would make the world away.
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store,
Harsh, featureless, and rude, barrenly perish:
Look whom she best endowed, she gave thee more;
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish:
She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby,
Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die.
Unlocking Sonnet 11: A Timeless Plea for Life’s Renewal
Welcome, aspiring literary explorers, to a journey into the heart of one of Shakespeare’s most compelling sonnets. “Sonnet 11: As Fast As Thou Shalt Wane, So Fast Thou Grow’st” stands as a powerful testament to the cycle of life, beauty, and the profound responsibility of perpetuating one’s legacy. This sonnet, part of the “Procreation Sonnets” (Sonnets 1-17), directly addresses a beautiful young man, urging him to marry and have children. It is a masterful blend of persuasion, warning, and celebration of nature’s design. Understanding this poem offers insights into Shakespeare’s view on beauty, time, and the human condition, making it a cornerstone for anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of his work.
Sonnet 11: As Fast As Thou Shalt Wane, So Fast Thou Grow’st Summary
“Sonnet 11” presents a central argument: as a person ages and declines, they can simultaneously “grow” and renew themselves through their offspring. The poem suggests that the youth and beauty bestowed upon an individual are not meant to vanish but to be passed on to the next generation. The speaker argues that this act of procreation is a wise and beautiful way to ensure the continuation of one’s essence, contrasting it with the “folly” of allowing one’s beauty to perish without issue. The sonnet emphasizes that if everyone chose not to have children, humanity itself would quickly cease to exist. It distinguishes the beloved, who is richly endowed with beauty by Nature, from those less fortunate, asserting that the beloved has a special duty to reproduce. The poem concludes with a powerful metaphor: Nature created the beloved as a perfect “seal” or mold, intending for them to “print more” copies, not to let their unique beauty die out. The central idea is the imperative to procreate to preserve beauty and ensure the continuation of life.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 11
This sonnet is a brilliant example of Shakespeare’s persuasive artistry, weaving together logical arguments, vivid imagery, and profound philosophical observations.
The Paradox of Growth and Decline
The opening lines immediately introduce a captivating paradox, a seemingly contradictory statement that holds a deeper truth:
As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow’st,
In one of thine, from that which thou departest;
Here, “wane” refers to the natural process of aging and the fading of youth, while “grow’st” signifies renewal and continuation through offspring. The speaker asserts that the beloved can experience a form of growth even as they decline, by having a child who embodies their essence. This “one of thine” is the child, who will carry forward the beauty and vitality that the parent “departest” from as they age. The concept of “fresh blood” in the next line reinforces this idea of inherited youth and vitality:
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow’st,
Thou mayst call thine, when thou from youth convertest.
The beauty and vigor of youth, metaphorically represented as “fresh blood,” are not lost but transferred. Even when the beloved “from youth convertest” or transforms away from their youthful state, they can still claim this new generation as their own, a living testament to their past beauty.
Wisdom, Folly, and the Future of Humanity
The second quatrain elevates the argument from a personal plea to a universal truth, contrasting the benefits of procreation with the dire consequences of its refusal:
Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase;
Without this, folly, age, and cold decay:
The act of having children is presented as the embodiment of “wisdom, beauty, and increase,” suggesting a natural, intelligent, and fruitful path. Conversely, choosing not to procreate leads to “folly, age, and cold decay,” painting a bleak picture of a life unfulfilled and ultimately forgotten. The speaker then broadens the scope to humanity as a whole:
If all were minded so, the times should cease,
And threescore year would make the world away.
This powerful statement uses hyperbole to emphasize the critical importance of procreation. If everyone shared the beloved’s reluctance to have children, humanity (“the times”) would quickly come to an end. “Threescore year” (sixty years) is presented as a shockingly short period for the entire world to vanish, underscoring the urgency of the speaker’s message.
Nature’s Bountiful Bequest
The third quatrain introduces Nature as an active force, distinguishing the beloved’s unique position and responsibility:
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store,
Harsh, featureless, and rude, barrenly perish:
The speaker suggests that some individuals are not “made for store,” meaning they are not intended by Nature to reproduce, perhaps due to a lack of beauty or other desirable qualities. These individuals are described with harsh adjectives: “Harsh, featureless, and rude,” implying they are meant to “barrenly perish,” their lineage ending with them. This stark contrast serves to highlight the beloved’s exceptional status:
Look whom she best endowed, she gave thee more;
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish:
Nature, personified as a generous giver, has “best endowed” the beloved, granting them an abundance of beauty and potential. This “bounteous gift” is not merely for personal enjoyment but carries a responsibility. The beloved “shouldst in bounty cherish” this gift, meaning they should use it generously and productively, by passing it on.
The Enduring Seal: A Call to Procreate
The concluding couplet delivers the sonnet’s most memorable and forceful argument, employing a striking metaphor:
She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby,
Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die.
Nature “carved thee for her seal” suggests that the beloved is a perfect mold, an ideal representation of beauty. A “seal” is used to make impressions, to “print more” copies. The implication is clear: the beloved’s beauty is not an end in itself but a template meant for reproduction. To “let that copy die” would be to betray Nature’s intention and allow a perfect form to vanish forever. This final couplet acts as a powerful imperative, urging the beloved to fulfill their natural purpose and ensure their beauty lives on.
Literary and Poetic Devices in Sonnet 11
Shakespeare’s mastery is evident in the careful deployment of various literary and poetic devices that enrich the meaning and impact of “Sonnet 11.”
Structure and Form
- Shakespearean Sonnet: The poem adheres strictly to the Shakespearean or English sonnet form, consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter. It is structured into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet (two-line stanza).
- Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, a hallmark of the Shakespearean sonnet. For example, “grow’st” (A) rhymes with “bestow’st” (A), and “departest” (B) rhymes with “convertest” (B) in the first quatrain. This consistent rhyme scheme provides musicality and helps to organize the poem’s arguments.
- Iambic Pentameter: Each line typically contains ten syllables, alternating unstressed and stressed beats, creating a rhythm that mimics natural speech. For instance, “As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow’st” demonstrates this rhythmic pattern.
Metaphor and Imagery
- “Fresh blood”: This metaphor in line 3 represents youth, vitality, and genetic inheritance. It vividly conveys the idea of passing on one’s life force to a child.
- “Cold decay”: In line 6, this phrase creates a stark image of death and oblivion, contrasting sharply with the vibrancy of life and “increase.”
- “Carved thee for her seal” and “print more”: The most prominent metaphor appears in the couplet. The beloved is likened to a “seal” or stamp, and their offspring are the “copies” or impressions made by that seal. This imagery powerfully conveys the idea of reproduction as a means of replication and preservation.
- “Winter’s raggedness” (implied contrast): While not explicitly stated in this sonnet, the imagery of “cold decay” and the idea of “waning” implicitly draw upon the common Shakespearean contrast between the harshness of winter (age, death) and the vibrancy of summer (youth, life).
Antithesis and Paradox
- Antithesis: The poem is built on strong contrasts, particularly in lines 5-6: “Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase; / Without this, folly, age, and cold decay.” This direct opposition highlights the speaker’s argument for procreation.
- Paradox: The opening line, “As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow’st,” is a striking paradox. It presents a seemingly contradictory idea that one can decline and grow simultaneously, revealing a deeper truth about generational continuity.
Personification
- Nature: Nature is personified as a benevolent and intentional creator. In lines 9-12, Nature “hath not made for store” some individuals, but “best endowed” the beloved, and “gave thee more.” In the couplet, “She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby,” further emphasizes Nature’s active role and purpose.
The Enduring Message of Sonnet 11
“Sonnet 11: As Fast As Thou Shalt Wane, So Fast Thou Grow’st” remains a profound exploration of life’s cycles, the fleeting nature of individual beauty, and the powerful human drive for continuity. It challenges readers to consider their place in the grand scheme of existence, urging them to embrace the responsibility of perpetuating life and beauty. The sonnet’s timeless message resonates with anyone contemplating legacy, the passage of time, and the intricate dance between individual existence and the endless flow of generations. Through its eloquent persuasion and rich poetic devices, Sonnet 11 continues to inspire reflection on what it means to truly live and leave an indelible mark on the world.