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.
Unlocking the Timeless Wisdom of Sonnet 73
Welcome, fellow explorers of language and emotion, to a journey into one of William Shakespeare’s most profound and moving sonnets, Sonnet 73. This masterful poem offers a deeply personal yet universally resonant meditation on aging, mortality, and the enduring power of love. It is a heartfelt address from the speaker to a beloved individual, using a series of breathtaking natural metaphors to convey the inevitable approach of life’s end. First published in Shakespeare’s renowned 1609 sonnet sequence, Sonnet 73 continues to captivate readers with its exquisite imagery, emotional honesty, and timeless insights into the human condition.
Sonnet 73 Summary: A Glimpse into Life’s Autumn
At its core, Sonnet 73 presents a speaker reflecting on the visible signs of his own aging and impending death. He invites his beloved to observe these changes through three distinct, powerful metaphors:
- Autumn’s Decline: The speaker first compares himself to the late autumn season, where trees are stripped of their vibrant leaves, leaving only a few yellow remnants or bare branches. These boughs, once full of life and song, now stand cold and desolate, like “bare ruined choirs.”
- Twilight’s Fade: Next, he likens himself to the fading light of day, specifically the twilight after sunset. This gentle dimming inevitably gives way to the “black night,” which is personified as “Death’s second self,” bringing an end to all activity and sealing everything in rest.
- Dying Embers: Finally, the speaker sees himself as the last glowing embers of a fire, flickering faintly upon the ashes of its former vigor. This fire, once vibrant and warm, is now on its “death-bed,” consumed by the very fuel that once sustained it.
The central idea of Sonnet 73 emerges in its concluding lines: the beloved perceives these signs of decline. This awareness, far from diminishing love, actually intensifies it. Knowing that their time together is limited, the beloved’s affection grows stronger, cherishing the present moments and loving “that well which thou must leave ere long.” This poem beautifully articulates the paradox that the awareness of loss can deepen appreciation and strengthen the bonds of love.
Sonnet 73 Analysis: A Deep Dive into Shakespeare’s Craft
Shakespeare masterfully constructs Sonnet 73, employing a rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices to explore its poignant themes. Each quatrain introduces a new metaphor, building a cumulative sense of decline before the powerful resolution in the final couplet.
The Autumnal Metaphor: Lines 1-4
The poem opens with a vivid and evocative comparison to the late stages of autumn, immediately setting a reflective and somber tone.
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.
Here, the speaker directly addresses his beloved, inviting them to see his aging reflected in the natural world. The “yellow leaves, or none, or few” powerfully symbolize the speaker’s dwindling youth and vitality. The “boughs which shake against the cold” represent his physical body, now vulnerable and weakened by age. The most striking image in this quatrain is “Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.” This metaphor is particularly poignant, evoking the image of a once-beautiful church or monastery choir, now desolate and silent. It suggests a loss not only of physical beauty but also of joy, music, and spiritual vibrancy, hinting at the speaker’s past vigor and the silence that now accompanies his decline.
The Twilight Image: Lines 5-8
The poem transitions to a second powerful metaphor, shifting from the seasonal cycle to the daily cycle of light and darkness, further illustrating the speaker’s approach to death.
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.
The “twilight of such day / As after sunset fadeth in the west” beautifully mirrors the speaker’s waning life force. Just as the day gradually gives way to night, so too is the speaker’s life fading. “Black night” is not merely the absence of light; it is a direct and potent symbol for death. Shakespeare personifies death here as “Death’s second self,” suggesting that death is a twin or companion to sleep, but one that brings a permanent cessation. The phrase “seals up all in rest” acts as a delicate euphemism for death, implying a peaceful, final repose, yet also an irreversible end to all activity and consciousness.
The Dying Ember: Lines 9-12
The third and final natural metaphor focuses on the intimate image of a dying fire, bringing the sense of decline to a deeply personal and internal level.
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.
Here, the speaker compares himself to “the glowing of such fire,” representing the last vestiges of his vitality. This faint warmth flickers precariously “on the ashes of his youth,” a powerful image of past vigor reduced to remnants. The fire is depicted as being on its “death-bed,” a stark and direct comparison to human mortality. The line “Consumed with that which it was nourished by” is particularly profound. It suggests a natural, almost self-devouring process of decay, where the very elements that sustained life—the fuel for the fire, the experiences of youth—ultimately contribute to its exhaustion and end. This bittersweet recognition highlights the cyclical nature of life and death.
The Intensification of Love: Lines 13-14
The concluding couplet provides a powerful and moving resolution, revealing the profound impact of the beloved’s understanding.
This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
The speaker acknowledges that his beloved fully comprehends his declining state, the “this thou perceiv’st.” Crucially, this awareness does not lead to sorrow or withdrawal; instead, it “makes thy love more strong.” The impending loss, the knowledge “which thou must leave ere long,” paradoxically deepens the affection. The beloved cherishes the speaker more intensely precisely because their time together is finite. The word “well” emphasizes the quality, depth, and conscious choice behind this intensified love. This couplet encapsulates the poem’s central message: the awareness of mortality can transform love into something more profound and urgent, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the present moment and the beloved.
Literary and Poetic Devices in Sonnet 73
Shakespeare’s genius shines through his masterful use of various literary and poetic devices, which enrich Sonnet 73 with layers of meaning and emotional resonance.
Metaphor and Extended Metaphor
The poem is built upon a series of powerful metaphors, each sustained for a quatrain. The speaker is not merely *like* autumn, twilight, or a dying fire; he *is* these things in his declining state. These are not simple comparisons but deep identifications:
- Autumn: “That time of year thou mayst in me behold” (Line 1)
- Twilight: “In me thou see’st the twilight of such day” (Line 5)
- Dying Fire: “In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire” (Line 9)
These extended metaphors allow for a rich exploration of aging and mortality through familiar natural cycles.
Imagery
Shakespeare employs vivid sensory imagery, primarily visual, to create a strong impression of decline and beauty:
- Visual Imagery: “yellow leaves,” “bare ruined choirs,” “fading in the west,” “black night,” “glowing of such fire,” “ashes of his youth.” These images paint a clear picture of the speaker’s physical and vital decline.
- Auditory Imagery (implied): “where late the sweet birds sang” (Line 4) evokes the memory of sound, highlighting its absence in the present desolation.
Personification
Personification gives human qualities to abstract concepts or inanimate objects, making them more relatable and impactful:
- Death: “Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.” (Line 8) Death is portrayed as an entity capable of action, a “self” that brings finality.
- Boughs: “boughs which shake against the cold” (Line 3) imbues the branches with a sense of vulnerability and struggle, mirroring the speaker’s own.
Sonnet Form and Structure
Sonnet 73 adheres to the traditional Shakespearean or English sonnet form, which consists of:
- Fourteen lines: The standard length for a sonnet.
- Iambic Pentameter: Each line typically contains ten syllables, alternating unstressed and stressed beats, creating a natural, conversational rhythm. For example, “That time of year thou mayst in me behold.”
- Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure allows for the development of three distinct ideas or arguments in the quatrains, culminating in a powerful summary or twist in the final rhyming couplet.
Alliteration and Assonance
These sound devices add to the poem’s musicality and emphasis:
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as “sweet birds sang” (Line 4), creates a harmonious effect.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words, like “time of year thou mayst in me behold” (Line 1), contributes to the poem’s flowing rhythm.
Quotes for Reflection from Sonnet 73
Certain lines from Sonnet 73 resonate deeply, offering profound insights into life, loss, and love:
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
This line powerfully captures the essence of lost beauty, joy, and vitality, reminding us of the transient nature of all things.
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
A poignant and somewhat comforting description of death, portraying it as a peaceful, albeit final, cessation.
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This line offers a profound reflection on the cyclical nature of existence, where the very forces that sustain life ultimately lead to its end.
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
The heart of the poem’s message, this line beautifully articulates how the awareness of impending loss can intensify and deepen the quality of love.
Embracing the Enduring Message of Sonnet 73
Sonnet 73 stands as a testament to Shakespeare’s unparalleled ability to explore universal human experiences with grace and profound insight. Through its exquisite metaphors of autumn, twilight, and dying embers, the poem gently guides us through the contemplation of aging and mortality. Yet, its ultimate message is not one of despair, but of intensified love and appreciation. The speaker’s vulnerability, openly shared with his beloved, transforms the awareness of finite time into a catalyst for deeper connection and more fervent affection. This sonnet reminds us that understanding life’s impermanence can enrich our present moments and strengthen the bonds we cherish, making it a truly timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers across generations.