Sonnet No.65 by William Shakespeare Essay

 Introduction:

Sonnet 65 by William Shakespeare is a poem that delves into the theme of time and its impact on youth and beauty. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic structure that consists of ten syllables per line with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is abab cdcd efef gg.

Quatrain 1:

In the first quatrain of the sonnet, the speaker reflects on how time has the power to etch the "frosty signs of approaching age" and "death's second self" onto the face of a beautiful young man. The speaker compares time to a "death-bed" on which the young man lies, suggesting that time is an inexorable force that ultimately leads to the end of life.

Quatrain 2:

The second quatrain shifts to the theme of the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. The speaker compares the young man's beauty to a "gilded monument" that will eventually "waste" and be forgotten. The speaker also compares the young man's youth to a "brave day" that will inevitably "fade" and be lost in time.

Quatrain 3:

In the third quatrain, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of time's effects on beauty and youth, but suggests that the memory of the young man's beauty will live on through the sonnet. The speaker asserts that the sonnet will serve as a "chronicle" of the young man's beauty, preserving it for future generations.

Couplet:

The final couplet of the sonnet asserts the power of the written word to transcend time and preserve beauty. The speaker claims that the sonnet will serve as a "brave witness" to the young man's beauty, ensuring that it will "outlive" the effects of time.

Conclusion:

Overall, Shakespeare's Sonnet 65 is a poignant reflection on the transience of youth and beauty and the power of the written word to preserve these fleeting qualities. The sonnet suggests that while time may inevitably lead to the end of life and the fading of beauty, the written word can serve as a testament to the beauty and youth that have been lost to time. It is a reminder that, despite the passage of time, the memories and legacies of those we love can continue to live on through the written word. So, the sonnet not only serves as a beautiful tribute to the young man's beauty, but also as a reflection on the enduring power of literature to preserve and honor the things we hold dear.

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