Zack Hilliard
Mr. Wright Honors European Literature
21 Sept. 2011
Sonnet XVI Explication
In Shakespeare's sixteenth sonnet, Shakespeare is talking about, and personifying, Time. He is talking about Time, describing him as a “bloody tyrant.” He also uses words such as decay and counterfeit establishing a more negative tone. The tone that seems to be evident is scoffing and a fearful undertone within. This is because Shakespeare makes it evident that he fears being forgotten by Time decaying all of his work. Shakespeare also talks about a counterfeit. This could be described as a child because the child has the traits of the parent and sometimes children have striking resemblances to their parents, being the child is a counterfeit. This can also be justified because before that line he says “with virtuous wish would bear you living flowers.” This could be a metaphor for a child because flowers are generally in the spring and spring generally symbolizes birth and children. This shows that he says that a person can live on through their children. Shakespeare talks about Time’s pencil, and his pupil pen. This shows that Shakespeare is talking about learning from Time because pencil can be erased, and after he writes something with his pen it can not be erased. This also has a meaning that Time has been written, but can be changed showing that Shakespeare can still be remembered in the future. Finally, Shakespeare’s final way for him to be remembered is by keeping up with his writing. This is shown when Shakespeare states’ “Can you make you live your self in the eyes of men. To give away yourself, keeps yourself still, And you must live drawn by your own sweet skill.” This quote explains that a way to live on is to be remembered by the thing that you were good at, and for Shakespeare, that is his writing. Shakespeare is trying to convey that the ways to live on is to have children and let their looks and values pervade through time, and to follow your skill and let your work live on and not be forgotten.
Mr. Wright Honors European Literature
21 Sept. 2011
Sonnet XVI Explication
In Shakespeare's sixteenth sonnet, Shakespeare is talking about, and personifying, Time. He is talking about Time, describing him as a “bloody tyrant.” He also uses words such as decay and counterfeit establishing a more negative tone. The tone that seems to be evident is scoffing and a fearful undertone within. This is because Shakespeare makes it evident that he fears being forgotten by Time decaying all of his work. Shakespeare also talks about a counterfeit. This could be described as a child because the child has the traits of the parent and sometimes children have striking resemblances to their parents, being the child is a counterfeit. This can also be justified because before that line he says “with virtuous wish would bear you living flowers.” This could be a metaphor for a child because flowers are generally in the spring and spring generally symbolizes birth and children. This shows that he says that a person can live on through their children. Shakespeare talks about Time’s pencil, and his pupil pen. This shows that Shakespeare is talking about learning from Time because pencil can be erased, and after he writes something with his pen it can not be erased. This also has a meaning that Time has been written, but can be changed showing that Shakespeare can still be remembered in the future. Finally, Shakespeare’s final way for him to be remembered is by keeping up with his writing. This is shown when Shakespeare states’ “Can you make you live your self in the eyes of men. To give away yourself, keeps yourself still, And you must live drawn by your own sweet skill.” This quote explains that a way to live on is to be remembered by the thing that you were good at, and for Shakespeare, that is his writing. Shakespeare is trying to convey that the ways to live on is to have children and let their looks and values pervade through time, and to follow your skill and let your work live on and not be forgotten.