'Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time' by William Shakespeare
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When 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 defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time by William Shakespeare
Can a poem about counting time really be that fascinating? Can a sonnet about the inevitability of aging and death hold within it the power to inspire and move us? The answer is a resounding yes, at least when it comes to Shakespeare's Sonnet 12. In this masterpiece of English literature, the Bard explores the idea of mortality with a depth and complexity that continues to resonate with readers centuries after it was written.
The Poem
When 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 defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
Interpretation
At first glance, Sonnet 12 may seem like a straightforward reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker describes various natural phenomena - the sinking of the sun, the fading of flowers, the shedding of leaves - as symbols of the decay that awaits us all. But as with most of Shakespeare's works, there is more to this poem than meets the eye.
One of the most striking things about Sonnet 12 is the way the speaker moves seamlessly between the concrete and the abstract. He begins by describing the clock that tells the time - a literal representation of the passage of hours and minutes. But as the poem progresses, he shifts to more metaphorical language, using images of nature to convey the same idea. The violet past prime, the sable curls all silvered o'er with white, the lofty trees barren of leaves - these are all symbols of the aging and decay that come with the passage of time.
But it's not just the natural world that is subject to this process of decay. The speaker also questions the beauty of his beloved, wondering how she can escape the ravages of time when even the most beautiful things in nature must eventually wither and die. This is a particularly poignant moment in the poem, as it speaks to the human desire to transcend our own mortality. We want to believe that somehow, someway, we can hold onto our youth and beauty forever. But the speaker reminds us that this is simply not possible.
Despite the bleakness of this message, there is a sense of hope that runs through the poem. The final couplet offers a kind of solution to the problem of mortality. The only defense against Time's scythe, the speaker tells us, is to "breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence." In other words, the only way to escape the inevitability of death is to leave something behind that will outlast us. Whether it's through children or some other kind of legacy, the speaker suggests that we can find a kind of immortality in the things we create.
Literary Criticism
Sonnet 12 is a masterclass in the use of metaphor and symbolism. Throughout the poem, Shakespeare uses images of nature to convey complex ideas about the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The sinking of the sun, the fading of flowers, the shedding of leaves - these are all concrete representations of the abstract concept of mortality. By anchoring his ideas in the physical world, Shakespeare makes them more immediate and tangible to the reader.
But it's not just the use of metaphor that makes Sonnet 12 so powerful. The poem is also a masterclass in tone and mood. The speaker's melancholy reflection on the passage of time is palpable, and there is a sense of resignation that runs throughout the poem. But even in the midst of this darkness, there is a glimmer of hope. The final couplet offers a kind of solution to the problem of mortality, suggesting that we can find a kind of immortality in the things we leave behind.
Of course, the true power of Sonnet 12 lies in the way it speaks to universal human themes. The fear of death, the desire for transcendence, the hope for immortality - these are all ideas that have preoccupied poets and philosophers for centuries. Shakespeare's ability to distill these complex ideas into a single sonnet is a testament to his mastery of the English language and his deep understanding of the human psyche.
Conclusion
In the end, Sonnet 12 is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's poetry. With its masterful use of metaphor and symbolism, its evocative tone and mood, and its exploration of universal human themes, this sonnet continues to resonate with readers today. As we count the clock that tells the time, we are reminded of our own mortality - but also of the possibility of creating something that will outlast us. And that, perhaps, is the true beauty of Shakespeare's Sonnet 12.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time, written by the legendary William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of Shakespeare’s collection of 154 sonnets, and it is one of the most famous and widely studied poems in the English language. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning and significance of Sonnet 12.
The poem begins with the speaker contemplating the passage of time. He starts by counting the clock that tells the time, which is a metaphor for the passing of time. The clock is a symbol of the inevitability of time, and the speaker is aware that time is constantly moving forward, and there is nothing he can do to stop it. The first line of the poem, “When I do count the clock that tells the time,” sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and it immediately draws the reader into the speaker’s contemplation of time.
In the second line, the speaker says, “And see the brave day sunk in hideous night.” Here, the speaker is referring to the passing of a day into night. The word “brave” is used to describe the day, which suggests that the speaker sees the day as something that is full of life and energy. However, the word “hideous” is used to describe the night, which suggests that the speaker sees the night as something that is dark and foreboding. This contrast between the day and the night is a metaphor for the passage of time, and it highlights the fact that time is constantly moving forward, and that nothing can stop it.
In the third line, the speaker says, “When I behold the violet past prime.” Here, the speaker is referring to the fading of a violet flower. The word “past prime” suggests that the flower is no longer at its peak, and it is beginning to fade away. This is another metaphor for the passage of time, and it highlights the fact that everything in life is temporary, and that nothing lasts forever.
In the fourth line, the speaker says, “And sable curls, all silvered o'er with white.” Here, the speaker is referring to the greying of hair. The word “sable” is used to describe the hair, which suggests that the speaker sees the hair as something that is dark and rich. However, the word “silvered” is used to describe the white hair, which suggests that the speaker sees the greying of hair as a sign of aging. This is another metaphor for the passage of time, and it highlights the fact that everything in life is subject to change.
In the fifth line, the speaker says, “When lofty trees I see barren of leaves.” Here, the speaker is referring to the changing of the seasons. The word “lofty” is used to describe the trees, which suggests that the speaker sees the trees as something that is majestic and grand. However, the fact that the trees are barren of leaves suggests that they are in a state of decline. This is another metaphor for the passage of time, and it highlights the fact that everything in life is subject to the changing of the seasons.
In the sixth line, the speaker says, “Which erst from heat did canopy the herd.” Here, the speaker is referring to the shade that the trees used to provide for the herd. The word “erst” is used to describe the past, which suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about a time when the trees were full of life. However, the fact that the trees are now barren of leaves suggests that this time has passed, and that everything in life is subject to change.
In the seventh line, the speaker says, “And summer's green all girded up in sheaves.” Here, the speaker is referring to the harvesting of crops. The word “summer’s green” is used to describe the crops, which suggests that the speaker sees the crops as something that is full of life and energy. However, the fact that the crops are now being harvested suggests that this time has passed, and that everything in life is subject to change.
In the eighth line, the speaker says, “Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard.” Here, the speaker is referring to the death of a person. The word “bier” is used to describe a platform used for carrying a coffin, which suggests that the speaker is referring to a funeral. The fact that the person has a “white and bristly beard” suggests that he is an old man, and that he has lived a long life. This is another metaphor for the passage of time, and it highlights the fact that everything in life is subject to death.
In the final two lines, the speaker concludes by saying, “Then of thy beauty do I question make, / That thou among the wastes of time must go.” Here, the speaker is addressing a person, and he is questioning the person’s beauty. The fact that he is questioning the person’s beauty suggests that he is aware that everything in life is subject to change, and that beauty is no exception. The fact that he says that the person “must go” among the “wastes of time” suggests that he is aware that everything in life is subject to death, and that nothing lasts forever.
In conclusion, Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time, written by William Shakespeare, is a classic poem that explores the theme of the passage of time. Through the use of various metaphors, Shakespeare highlights the fact that everything in life is subject to change, and that nothing lasts forever. The poem is a powerful reminder of the inevitability of time, and it encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty of life while it lasts.
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