Class notes
Sonnet 73 Analysis Gr 12
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- 12th Grade
Complete Analysis of Poem with Questions and Memorandum based of CAPS Level for NSC Grade 12 Exams
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“Sonnet 73: That time of year thoumayst in me behold”
William Shakespeare
, “Sonnet 73: That time of year thou mayst in me behold”
William Shakespeare
Background on the poet
William Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in the English language, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. He
is known for his contributions to English literature, particularly his plays, sonnets, and other poetic works. Little is known about Shakespeare's personal life, and many
details remain a subject of speculation.
Shakespeare penned 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609. These sonnets explore themes of love, time, beauty, and mortality, among others. Sonnet 73, as part of
this collection, is celebrated for its poignant reflections on aging and the passage of time.
summary of the poem
Shakespeare's Sonnet 73 is about a person talking about getting older and how it feels. The speaker compares their aging process to changes in nature, like leaves
falling from trees or a fire burning out. They use these examples to show how life goes through different stages, from youth to old age, and how everything eventually
comes to an end. Despite talking about getting older and closer to the end of life, the poem also talks about the importance of appreciating and valuing what we have
while we still have it.
About the title
The title "Sonnet 73" simply denotes the numerical order of this particular poem within the sequence. Each sonnet in the collection is labeled with a number, ranging
from 1 to 154. This numerical system allows readers to identify and refer to specific sonnets within Shakespeare's body of work.
Format of the poem
English / Shakespearean or Elizabethan Sonnet
Sonnet Structure: It consists of 14 lines.
Rhyme Scheme: Organised in three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a rhymed couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The poem divides into three parts or quatrains, each presenting a different metaphor or image related to aging and mortality.
The final two lines often offer a conclusion, a resolution, or a summary of the main theme or idea expressed in the preceding lines.
Line by line
Line 1 - 4: In the first part of the poem (first quatrain), the poet thinks about how he'll change as he gets older. He imagines a time when he'll seem as pale and dry
as the world during a harsh, cold winter. He compares himself to tree branches that were once beautiful and filled with music but have become barren and silent.
Line 5 - 8: In this part of the poem (second quatrain), the poet talks about how he feels death coming closer to him. He seems sad and gloomy, almost as if he's
feeling depressed. The mood of the poem changes to become very sad and filled with a feeling of melancholy.
Lines 9 - 12: In this part of the poem (third quatrain), the poet suggests that his lost youthful energy and liveliness have been used up and are pulling him closer
to death. He sounds very upset and sad in this part, feeling deeply troubled and hopeless.
Lines 13 - 14: The poet believes that this understanding of his nearing departure might make his friend love him even more. The poet's feelings change from being
very sad to feeling a bit comforted or consoled.
, “Sonnet 73: That time of year thou mayst in me behold”
William Shakespeare
Mood of the poem
The mood of Sonnet 73 is sad and thoughtful. It's like feeling a bit down or thoughtful about getting older and knowing that life doesn't last forever. The poet uses words
and pictures to show how things change and fade away, making the poem feel a bit melancholy or gloomy. The mood overall is a bit sad but also reflective about the
passing of time and the reality that life is temporary.
tone of the poem
The tone of the poem is reflective and accepting. The speaker calmly discusses aging and mortality, accepting the natural course of life and the passage of time. There's
a sense of resignation and understanding about the transitory nature of life.
Themes
Mortality and Aging: The poem reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of getting older and eventually dying. It talks about the stages of life and how
they come to an end.
Transience and Impermanence: It explores the idea that everything in life is temporary. Just like the changing seasons or the fading of light, life also has its phases
that eventually come to an end.
Love and Appreciation: The poem also touches on love and appreciation. Despite the acknowledgment of mortality, there's a deep love expressed in the poem,
emphasising the importance of cherishing moments and relationships.
Reflection and Acceptance: There's a reflective tone throughout the poem, showing how the speaker contemplates their own mortality and comes to accept the
natural cycle of life.
, “Sonnet 73: That time of year thou mayst in me behold”
William Shakespeare
The speaker compares himself to a particular time of year, suggesting that
Poem in simple English
the person he's addressing can see the changes in him, much like changes
1. That time of year thou mayst in me behold in seasons.
You can see the changes in me that come at a certain time of year.
Describes the autumn season, indicating the presence of only a few
2. When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang yellow leaves left on the trees, or sometimes, none at all.
When leaves turn yellow, or there are only a few left hanging, or none at all.
The remaining leaves on the branches tremble due to the cold,
3. Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, symbolising the frailty and vulnerability that come with aging.
Those branches shake in the cold, without many leaves left on them.
The word "choirs" compares the branches to the once harmonious and lively setting of a church choir, now silent.
4. Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. "Bare ruined choirs" refers to the empty spaces where
The once full and lively choirs of birds are now empty and ruined. birds once sang beautifully.
The speaker implies that in him, the observer sees the dimming light, a
5. In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
metaphor for approaching old age or the end of life.
You see in me the fading of a day, like twilight approaching.
Compares his aging process to the fading light after sunset, representing the decline or
6. As after sunset fadeth in the west, approaching end.
After the sunset, daylight slowly fades away in the west.
Following the fading of light, darkness (night) comes to replace it,
7. Which by and by black night doth take away, similar to the approach of death.
Then darkness quickly replaces the fading light.
Death is personified as a close kin to nighttime, bringing a final rest and
8. Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. sealing the end of life.
It's like a peaceful rest, sealing everything in a deep sleep.
The speaker compares themselves to the last warmth or light of a fire. This
symbolises that there's still some energy or life left in them, even though the
9. In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire end is getting closer.
You can see in me the remains of a fire that used to burn brightly.
Compares the remaining warmth in him to a fire that still burns, even though the
10. That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
Now it lies as ashes, no longer blazing with youthfulness. ashes of his youthful years have passed.
Comparing the fire to a deathbed, suggesting that it will eventually die, just as
11. As the death-bed whereon it must expire, life reaches its end.
Like a fire reaching its end on a deathbed where it will soon die.
The fire (life) is being consumed or diminished by the same things
12. Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by. that once sustained it, reflecting the natural cycle of life and aging.
Consumed by what once kept it alive and nourished it.
The speaker acknowledges that the person
being addressed understands the passage of
13. This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong
time and mortality, and this understanding
You understand these changes, making your love even stronger.
intensifies their love.
The speaker emphasises the significance of loving something
14. To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
even when aware that it will be departed from soon.
To love deeply what will soon be left behind and gone.
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