Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare complete notes for BA English Students of BBMKU University Semester 6. Read the summary line by line, a complete summary, critical appreciations, and the most essential FAQs.
Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare
When in the chronicle of wasted time
When in the chronicle of wasted time I see descriptions of the fairest wights, And beauty making beautiful old rhyme In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights, Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best, Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow, I see their antique pen would have express'd Even such a beauty as you master now. So all their praises are but prophecies Of this our time, all you prefiguring; And, for they look'd but with divining eyes, They had not skill enough your worth to sing: For we, which now behold these present days, Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.
Sonnet 106 line by line Summary
Line 1: “When in the chronicle of wasted time”
The poet begins by referring to the passage of time and the recording of past events that have been lost or wasted.
Line 2: “I see descriptions of the fairest wights”
The poet mentions that he reads about the most beautiful beings (people) in historical records.
Line 3: “And beauty making beautiful old rhyme”
The beauty of these individuals enhances and beautifies the old poetry and records they are mentioned in.
Line 4: “In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights”
These historical records and poetry praise beautiful women who have passed away and handsome knights.
Line 5: “Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best,”
The poet now presents a metaphor comparing these beautiful people to heraldic descriptions (blazon) of noble accomplishments.
Line 6: “Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,”
He enumerates the different features of these beautiful individuals, such as their hands, feet, lips, eyes, and brows.
Line 7: “I see their antique pen would have expressed”
The old poets’ pens (writing) would have depicted these features in their descriptions.
Line 8: “Even such a beauty as you master now.”
The poet concludes that the beauty of those described in the old records is no match for the beauty of the person he is addressing in the present (the “master” of beauty).
Line 9: “So all their praises are but prophecies”
The poet suggests that the praises given to the beautiful individuals of the past were merely predictions or foreshadowings of the unparalleled beauty possessed by the person he is addressing.
Line 10: “Of this our time, all you prefiguring;”
The poet further emphasizes that the past praises and descriptions foresee and anticipate the exceptional beauty of the person in the present.
Line 11: “And for they looked but with divining eyes,”
The poets of the past could only see glimpses of the present beauty through their visionary perception.
Line 12: “They had not skill enough your worth to sing:”
However, the poet believes that those ancient writers did not possess enough skill to fully capture the true worth and beauty of the person he is addressing.
Line 13: “For we, which now behold these present days,”
The poet and the readers of this sonnet, who are living in the present, have the advantage of witnessing the beauty of the individual in real time.
Line 14: “Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.”
Despite being able to marvel at the beauty they see, the poet admits that they lack the adequate words and expressions to praise or do justice to that beauty entirely.
Sonnet 106 a complete Summary
Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare is a beautiful and intricate poem that explores the concept of time, beauty, and the power of poetry to immortalize a person’s charm. In this sonnet, Shakespeare compares the descriptions of beauty found in historical records and old poetry to the incomparable beauty of the person he addresses in the present.
The poem begins with the poet reflecting on the passing of time, represented as the “chronicle of wasted time.” He reads about the most beautiful individuals in history whose beauty enhanced the old poetry they were mentioned in. These historical records praised lovely ladies and handsome knights, but Shakespeare believes their beauty is overshadowed by the extraordinary charm of the person he addresses.
Shakespeare compares the descriptions of past beauty to heraldic descriptions of noble accomplishments, detailing features like hands, feet, lips, eyes, and brows. However, he asserts that even the old poets’ pens lacked the skill to express the true worth of a person’s beauty in the present.
According to Shakespeare, the praises bestowed on the beautiful individuals of the past were prophecies foretelling the unparalleled beauty of the present subject. The ancient poets could only catch glimpses of this beauty through visionary eyes and lacked the words to sing the person’s praises fully.
Being in the present, the poet and the readers of the sonnet have the advantage of witnessing the beauty firsthand. However, they find themselves at a loss for words to praise the person’s charm adequately.
Shakespeare declares that this sonnet will be a lasting monument and the world’s newest and most exquisite adornment. It will be the sole messenger heralding the arrival of spring, symbolizing the person’s freshness and vitality. The poet humorously scolds the person for being too modest and hiding their beauty, as if burying their contentment within themselves, thus being wasteful in withholding such exceptional beauty.
In essence, Sonnet 106 is a celebration of the timeless beauty possessed by the individual addressed in the present. It elevates this person above all the beauty described in history as the ultimate embodiment of charm and splendor. The sonnet also underscores the power of poetry to transcend time and immortalize the subject’s beauty, ensuring their remembrance and admiration for generations to come.
Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare Critical Appreciation
Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare is a captivating and thought-provoking poem that delves into the themes of time, beauty, and the enduring power of poetry. As with many of Shakespeare’s sonnets, this poem showcases his mastery of language and use of poetic devices to convey complex ideas.
One of the remarkable aspects of Sonnet 106 is its exploration of the passage of time. The opening line, “When in the chronicle of wasted time,” sets the tone for the poem’s contemplation on the fleeting nature of existence. Shakespeare reflects on the past and the records of beauty that have been lost to time, highlighting the ephemeral nature of human life and accomplishments. This introspective meditation on the transience of beauty and the impact of time on mortal existence is a recurring theme in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
The sonnet also showcases Shakespeare’s exceptional ability to use vivid imagery and metaphors. He compares the descriptions of beauty in historical records to heraldic descriptions of noble accomplishments, employing the metaphor of “blazon” to emphasize the visual and symbolic representation of beauty. Using poetic language, the poet elevates the subject’s beauty and contrasts it with the beauty of the past, making a powerful statement about the uniqueness and incomparability of the person addressed in the poem.
Furthermore, Sonnet 106 explores the significance of poetry as a means of immortalizing beauty. Shakespeare suggests that the praises given to the beautiful individuals of the past were prophecies of the exceptional beauty possessed by the person in the present. This notion reinforces the belief in the enduring power of poetry to transcend time and preserve the essence of a person’s beauty and worth. By writing this sonnet, Shakespeare solidifies the subject’s beauty as a “live-long monument” and a “world’s fresh ornament,” ensuring their charm will be celebrated and remembered long after they are gone.
The sonnet’s concluding lines playfully scold the person addressed for being too modest and withholding their beauty from the world. This admonition adds a touch of lightheartedness to the poem while underscoring the idea that beauty should be shared and celebrated openly.
In essence, Sonnet 106 is a testament to Shakespeare’s skillful use of language and imagery to explore profound themes. The poem’s contemplation on time, beauty, and the enduring power of poetry resonates with readers across generations. It celebrates the beauty of the individual addressed while also asserting the immortalizing capabilities of poetry itself. Sonnet 106 is a timeless piece of literature, showcasing Shakespeare’s brilliance and contributing to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets in the English language.
FAQs
Q: What is the central theme of Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare?
A: The main themes of Sonnet 106 are time, beauty, and the power of poetry. The poem contemplates the passage of time and the transient nature of beauty, comparing the descriptions of beauty in historical records to the incomparable beauty of the person addressed in the present. It highlights the ability of poetry to immortalize beauty and serve as a lasting tribute to the subject.
Q: How does Shakespeare use imagery in Sonnet 106?
A: Shakespeare uses vivid imagery in Sonnet 106 to convey the beauty of the subject and the impact of time. He employs the metaphor of “blazon” to compare descriptions of beauty to heraldic descriptions of noble accomplishments, emphasizing the visual and symbolic representation of beauty. Additionally, the imagery of “chronicle of wasted time” evokes a sense of history and the fleeting nature of human existence.
Q: What does Shakespeare mean by “prophecies” in Sonnet 106?
A: In Sonnet 106, when Shakespeare refers to “prophecies,” he means that the praises and descriptions of beauty found in historical records and old poetry foretell the exceptional beauty possessed by the person addressed in the present. The poet suggests that those past descriptions were glimpses of the beauty fully manifested in the present subject.
Q: How does Sonnet 106 emphasize the power of poetry?
A: Sonnet 106 emphasizes the power of poetry by asserting that the praises and descriptions of beauty in historical records serve as a form of prophecy for the exceptional beauty of the person being addressed. The sonnet becomes a “live-long monument” and a “world’s fresh ornament,” immortalizing the subject’s beauty. Through poetic language, Shakespeare elevates the person’s charm and underscores the enduring influence of poetry to preserve and celebrate beauty for generations to come.
Q: What is the tone of Sonnet 106?
A: The tone of Sonnet 106 is contemplative, admiring, and playful. The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of time and beauty with a sense of introspection. It respects the beauty of the individual addressed, elevating them above the beauty of the past. Additionally, the poet playfully scolds the person for being too modest and withholding their beauty, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the sonnet.
Q: Does Sonnet 106 belong to any specific sequence of Shakespeare’s sonnets?
A: Sonnet 106 is one of the 154 sonnets written by William Shakespeare, but it does not belong to any specific sequence within the collection. The sonnets are generally divided into two groups: the first 126 are addressed to a young man, and the remaining are addressed to a mysterious figure known as the “Dark Lady.” Sonnet 106, with its focus on beauty and the power of poetry, can be appreciated as a stand-alone piece among Shakespeare’s sonnets.