Examining the theme of Time in Shakespeare's Sonnets

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                   Examining the theme of Time in Shakespeare’s Sonnets

 The Sonnets which I have studied so far are very interesting. I have discovered that the main theme of these Sonnets is Time. From the Sonnets which I have studied already, Sonnets 2, 19 and 63 have the main theme of Time. In this essay I am going to examine and explore how Shakespeare uses the theme of Time in his Sonnets.

 In Sonnet 2 Shakespeare uses the theme of Time against beauty. The quote “When forty winters shall besiege thy brow” depicts Time battling against beauty. It symbolises a Warlike nature between Time and beauty. Again the quote “And dig deep trenches in thy beauty’s field” is another prime example of Time fighting beauty. It is the idea that beauty is only temporary, because Time is forever attacking you and taking your beauty away. In this Sonnet Shakespeare is telling a young man to pass his beauty on by having a child. Shakespeare uses Time because it is a threatening aspect of life. No one can stay beautiful forever and this is why Shakespeare uses the idea of Time battling it out with beauty.

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 The imagery Shakespeare uses in Sonnet 2 is very compelling. The images of Time and Beauty fighting it out on a battlefield are very graphical. Other images of War and Legal issues are very interesting. It is a very expressive way of showing the young man that he isn’t going to have his beauty forever and that he needs to have children, so his beauty can carry on. For example the quotes “And see thy blood warm” and “Shall sum my count and make my old excuse” are prime examples of the War and legal imagery.

 In Sonnet 19 Shakespeare ...

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