'Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time' by William Shakespeare

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The Sonnets1609When I do count the clock that tells the time,
And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;
When I behold the violet past prime,
And sable curls all silvered o'er with white;
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves
Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,
And summer's green all girded up in sheaves
Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,
Then of thy beauty do I question make
That thou among the wastes of time must go,
Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake
And die as fast as they see others grow;And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defenceSave breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time

William Shakespeare's Sonnet 12, "When I do count the clock that tells the time," is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature. The sonnet is part of the Fair Youth sequence, which comprises of the first 126 sonnets in the collection. The sonnet is a reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and death. The poem takes the form of a meditation on the nature of time, and the power and fragility of beauty.

The Structure

Sonnet 12 is structured in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This consistent rhyme scheme helps to create a sense of unity and balance within the poem.

The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. Each line consists of ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This regularity of meter helps to create a musical quality to the poem, which adds to its overall beauty.

The Theme

The theme of the sonnet is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and death. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a clock to represent time, and he reflects on the various ways in which time affects all things. The speaker of the poem acknowledges that even the most beautiful things in life will eventually fade and disappear.

The Analysis

The sonnet begins with the lines, "When I do count the clock that tells the time, / And see the brave day sunk in hideous night." The clock in this line symbolizes the passage of time, and the transition from day to night represents the passing of time. The speaker is reflecting on the way in which time seems to move relentlessly forward, regardless of what we do to try to stop it. The word "hideous" is an interesting choice, as it suggests that the speaker is not just reflecting on the beauty of the day, but also on the inevitability of death.

The second quatrain continues this meditation on the passage of time, with the lines, "When I behold the violet past prime, / And sable curls all silvered o'er with white, / When lofty trees I see barren of leaves." In these lines, Shakespeare is reflecting on the way in which time affects even the most beautiful things in life. The "violet past prime" represents the fading of youth and beauty. The "sable curls all silvered o'er with white" represent the way in which age causes our hair to turn gray. The "lofty trees" represent the way in which even the most majestic things in life will eventually wither and die.

The third quatrain continues this theme, with the lines, "And winter's frosty gripes, my soul despairs / To see, defaced, their beauty that was theirs." In this line, Shakespeare is reflecting on the way in which time can destroy even the most beautiful things in life. The word "defaced" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that time doesn't just fade beauty, but actively destroys it.

The final couplet brings the poem to a close, with the lines, "But if your beauty make these wrinkle groan, / The world will live your praise and die your debt." In these lines, Shakespeare is suggesting that even though time will eventually destroy everything, the memory of beauty will live on. The speaker is suggesting that by appreciating beauty in the present moment, we can create something that will outlast the passage of time.

The Interpretation

Sonnet 12 is a poignant meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and death. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a clock to represent time, and he reflects on the various ways in which time affects all things. The sonnet is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing moments of beauty while they last.

The sonnet is also a reminder of the power of memory. Shakespeare suggests that even though time will eventually destroy everything, the memory of beauty will live on. By appreciating beauty in the present moment, we can create something that will outlast the passage of time.

Conclusion

Sonnet 12 is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the fragility of life and the inevitability of aging and death. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a clock to represent time, and he reflects on the various ways in which time affects all things. The sonnet is a reminder of the importance of cherishing moments of beauty while they last, and the power of memory to create something that will outlast the passage of time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

When it comes to the world of poetry, there are few names that stand out as much as William Shakespeare. The Bard of Avon is known for his incredible plays, but his poetry is equally as impressive. One of his most famous sonnets is Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time. In this 14-line poem, Shakespeare explores the concept of time and its impact on our lives.

The sonnet begins with the speaker contemplating a clock that tells the time. He notes that every second that passes is one step closer to death. This idea of time being a constant reminder of our mortality is a common theme in Shakespeare's work. In fact, he explores it in many of his plays, including Macbeth and Hamlet.

The second quatrain of the sonnet shifts the focus to nature. The speaker notes that just as the clock ticks away the seconds of our lives, the seasons change and the natural world moves forward. He uses the metaphor of a "wasteful" time to describe the passing of the seasons. This idea of time being wasteful is interesting because it suggests that we should be using our time more wisely. It's a reminder that we only have a finite amount of time on this earth, and we should make the most of it.

The third quatrain of the sonnet is where Shakespeare really starts to play with language. He uses a series of metaphors to describe the passing of time. The first metaphor compares time to a "bare ruined choir." This image of a choir that has been stripped of its beauty and left in ruins is a powerful one. It suggests that time has the power to destroy even the most beautiful things.

The second metaphor compares time to a "death-bed." This image is particularly striking because it suggests that time is not just a reminder of our mortality, but it is also the thing that will ultimately lead to our death. The final metaphor compares time to a "brave day." This image is interesting because it suggests that time can also be seen as something positive. A "brave day" is a day that is full of promise and potential. It's a reminder that even though time can be destructive, it can also be a source of hope and inspiration.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings everything together. The speaker notes that even though time has the power to destroy everything, it cannot destroy the love that he feels for the person he is addressing. This idea of love being stronger than time is a common theme in Shakespeare's work. It's a reminder that even though we are mortal and our time on this earth is limited, the love that we feel for others can transcend time and last forever.

Overall, Sonnet 12 is a powerful exploration of the concept of time and its impact on our lives. Shakespeare uses a variety of metaphors and images to convey the idea that time is both destructive and full of potential. It's a reminder that we should be using our time wisely and cherishing the people we love. Even though time may ultimately lead to our demise, the love that we feel for others can transcend time and last forever.

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