William Shakespeare Sonnet 60: Like as the waves make towards the pebbl’d shore. BA English Notes for Students of BBMKU University Semester 6. The easy notes for the students for the preparation of Final Examinations.
William Shakespeare Sonnet 60
Like as the waves make towards the pebbl'd shore, So do our minutes hasten to their end; Each changing place with that which goes before, In sequent toil all forwards do contend. Nativity, once in the main of light, Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd, Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight, And Time that gave doth now his gift confound. Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth And delves the parallels in beauty's brow, Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth, And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow: And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand, Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
William Shakespeare Sonnet 60 Summary
1 . Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
The poet starts the sonnet by comparing the progression of waves moving toward the pebbled shore and the passage of time.
2. So do our minutes hasten to their end;
The poet likens the fleeting nature of time to the rapid passing of minutes, which hurry toward their ultimate conclusion.
3. Each changing place with that which goes before,
Time is portrayed as a continuous flow, with each moment replacing the one that came before it.
4. In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Time’s progression is described as a continuous struggle or labor, as each moment follows the previous one relentlessly.
5. Nativity, once in the main of light,
The poet refers to the birth or beginning of something akin to a bright moment in the past.
6. Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crowned,
As time passes, that bright beginning gradually matures or ages, ultimately reaching its pinnacle.
7. Crooked eclipses ‘gainst his glory fight,
However, various obstacles and challenges (symbolized by “crooked eclipses”) attempt to diminish the brightness or glory of this matured state.
8. And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time, which initially brought the gift of existence or youth, now undermines or confuses that gift by subjecting it to the relentless progression of time itself.
9. Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth,
Time pierces and diminishes the beauty and vibrancy that accompanies youth.
10. And delves the parallels in beauty’s brow,
Time also digs furrows (lines) on the forehead that once showcased beauty.
11. Feeds on the rarities of nature’s truth,
Time consumes and exhausts the precious and unique qualities in the natural world.
12. And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow.
Ultimately, everything is susceptible to the cutting blade of Time’s scythe, representing death or destruction.
13. And yet, to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Despite the grim portrayal of time’s effects, the poet believes his poetry will endure through the ages.
14. Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
The poet’s verse will continue to celebrate the worth or beauty of the subject (potentially referring to a loved one), despite the cruel effects of time.
In this sonnet, Shakespeare explores the passage of time and its unrelenting nature, how it affects everything in existence, and how his poetry will stand as a testament to the worthiness of his subject despite the passage of time.
William Shakespeare Sonnet 60 Complete Summary
Sonnet 60 by William Shakespeare is part of his collection of 154 sonnets, and it delves into the theme of time’s passing and its impact on human life and nature. Here’s a complete summary of Sonnet 60:
In the first quatrain, the speaker introduces the poem’s central theme: the passage of time. He compares time to a relentless and harsh force, much like the waves of the ocean that continuously lap against the shore. Personification makes time an active and powerful entity that never rests.
Moving on to the second quatrain, the speaker describes how time affects the earth. He portrays time as a mower cutting down spring’s beautiful and vibrant flowers. This metaphor emphasizes the transient nature of life and how time ultimately brings an end to all things, just as the flowers wither and die.
In the third quatrain, the focus shifts to the impact of time on human life. The speaker emphasizes that time shows no favouritism; it treats the rich and the poor alike. Time’s constant progression brings about the end of life, just as it leads to the end of the day when evening comes.
In the final couplet, the speaker acknowledges the power of time but seeks solace that his words and feelings expressed in the sonnet will continue to live on even after he is gone. He believes that his poetry will defy the relentless nature of time and will be a testament to the love and admiration he holds for the subject of the sonnet.
In summary, Sonnet 60 reflects on the passage of time and its effects on the natural world and human existence. The poem uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the unstoppable and indiscriminate nature of time’s progression. However, the speaker finds comfort in the enduring power of poetry, which allows him to capture and immortalize his feelings and thoughts beyond the limits of time.
William Shakespeare Sonnet 60 Critical analyze
Sonnet 60 by William Shakespeare is a sonnet that delves into the theme of time’s passing and its effects on various aspects of life. Through rich imagery and metaphors, Shakespeare explores the relentless progression of time, its impact on nature and beauty, and the enduring power of poetry.
The poem begins with a vivid comparison, likening the movement of waves toward the shore to the passage of time. This imagery immediately sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet, emphasizing time’s cyclical and unstoppable nature. The phrase “hasten to their end” in line 2 intensifies the sense of time’s fleeting nature, as it seems to rush inexorably toward its ultimate conclusion.
Shakespeare uses personification to present time as an active force. He portrays time as continuously moving forward, replacing each moment with the next (“Each changing place with that which goes before”), and engaged in a constant struggle (“In sequent toil all forwards do contend”). This portrayal of time as an opponent implies that it can be harsh and unrelenting, always pushing forward without pause.
In the following lines, Shakespeare employs imagery to illustrate the life cycle of human existence. He starts with “Nativity” (birth), representing the initial bright and promising phase of life, which then “crawls to maturity” and reaches its peak (“wherewith being crowned”). However, this progression is not without its challenges, symbolized by “crooked eclipses ‘gainst his glory fight,” suggesting that obstacles and hardships arise to obscure one’s full potential.
The poet then shifts the focus to time’s ability to diminish beauty and youth. He uses powerful visual metaphors, such as “transfix the flourish set on youth” and “delves the parallels in beauty’s brow,” to describe how time leaves its marks on the human body, aging and eroding youthful beauty.
In the second half of the sonnet, Shakespeare broadens the scope beyond human existence and includes nature itself. He suggests that time feeds on the unique and rare aspects of nature’s truth, signifying the natural processes of growth and decay. This imagery not only emphasizes the ephemeral nature of life but also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between human life and the broader cycles of nature.
Despite the bleak portrayal of time’s effects, the poem ends with hope and optimism. The poet declares that his verse will endure through time, praising the worth of his subject despite time’s cruel hand. This assertion highlights the power of poetry as a means to transcend time and preserve the essence of beauty and truth.
In conclusion, Sonnet 60 is a poignant meditation on the passage of time and its impact on various aspects of life. Shakespeare employs vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor to convey the relentless nature of time’s progress, its effects on beauty and youth, and the enduring power of poetry to immortalize that which is worthy. The sonnet’s timeless themes and beautifully crafted language continue to resonate with readers, making it a lasting piece of literature in the rich tapestry of Shakespeare’s works.