The only word that is repeated in Shakespearean sonnets is the word "time". Throughout the work, and especially at the beginning, Shakespeare seeks to represent the glorified excellence of the male object of the sonnets, while continually alluding to the fact that such magnificence may wither and fade with the passage of time. Time is such a central topic in most of his works that in his verses he tries to deify the magnificence of his worshiper. He likens time to a purveyor and taker of youth and resists its inevitable appropriation by maintaining its consideration in adapting immaculate verses that shout and imitate the excellence of his love and give it a home within the limits of his words. For Shakespeare, time is an authority, a divinity, a part of life that cannot be changed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In many sonnets, Shakespeare describes time as an authority. In Sonnet 126 he shows us how time fights with nature, a good example is said by the lover. “If Nature, sovereign mistress of shipwrecks, / as you go forward, will still bring you back” (5-6). He states that even though nature needs to keep up with her lover's youth, time is owed to him and nature will eventually have to "make you." It gives time human attributes which then make it easier to understand why beauty must fade and, eventually, die. In Sonnet 15, Shakespeare shows time as the enemy of beauty, "Where wasteful time argues with decadence / To change thy youth's day to foul night, / And all at war with time for thy love" (11- 12). Shakespeare is stating that time and decay are discussing how they can corrupt his lover's youth, and that he is basically trying to tell his lover that he will protect him from Time's wrath. Time is seen as an authority, however Shakespeare now perceives Time as a deity, with the ability to give and take life. In Sonnet 126, Shakespeare clearly states “And time he gave now confounds his gift” (8) Time is the tiller and reaper of beauty and youth, “And naught is worth but for his sickle to mow” (12). As you can see, Time is mentioned twice, Shakespeare is realizing that Time is a bit like a god, saying that he is the creator and destroyer of beauty and youth. Also in Sonnet 126, time personified uses a scythe to raise the collection. This metaphor of time is greedy, hasty and impartial. He claims creation after its peak and delivers it once again. Shakespeare is caught up in this devastation of beauty and youth and wishes to intercede to capture the essence of his characters before they are lost to time. Since then his Sonnets have proven capable of withstanding the test of time. He managed to protect this beauty in its purest possible form through poetry. Finally, in many of Shakespeare's sonnets he uses time in a way that shows how it is a part of life that cannot. In sonnet 18 Shakespeare states “and summer's rent hath but too short a date” (4). Through this quote, we can begin to understand what Shakespeare is trying to portray, which is that life is too short and there is not enough time to do everything we love. This quote not only states that there is not enough time, but it is another way Shakespeare emphasizes his everlasting love. Also in sonnet 18, Shakespeare mentions “the strong winds shake the dear blossoms of May” (3). As you can see in this quote, strong winds are the weather and sprouts are the people. This quote.
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