Some Sonnets

Sonnet 15 recognizes the decline in beauty of objects over time. The poet is aware of this ever changing life we all live, and he cherishes the present beauty of the objects around him. It’s one of the sonnets introducing the concept of how give this mortal beauty can be given an everlasting life through his words.

Sonnet 18, one of my favorites, exalts a youth’s beauty through a comparison to a summer’s day. The poet comments on the simplicity of summer and how the season will decline. However, the poet once again immortalizes the beauty of the youth, telling him/her that his/her beauty will not fade like the summer, so long as his poem survives the years the youth’s beauty will forever be preserved for all to see.

Sonnet 30 focuses on the value of memory. There is a heavy sense of depression for the death or separation from the youth the poet admired so dearly. However this loss is healed through the memories the poet has of the youth, which he also gives immortality through the poem.

Sonnet 55, surprise surprise is another poem solely focusing on the power of words to bestow an everlasting life through all the ages of man. The poet compares the immortal foundation of verse to artwork and monuments, both of which will crumble beneath the forces of nature and war. The power of the poets verse is the only chance he has of giving his youth an immortal life until judgment day when no man is left standing.

Sonnet 60 is concerned with time. The poet acknowledges that time is unfair. Time gives life, but simultaneously delivers death. No matter how much someone desires or attempts to keep their beauty, it will eventually fade into wrinkles. The poet once again makes a promise to try and restore and preserve this beauty through his poem.

Sonnet 65 once again revolves around how nothing can withstand time. Nature will have its way and there is no overpowering it. The poet questions how beauty could possibly overcome the decay of time. His only hope is to preserve his love through the miracle of his pen and ink.

Sonnet 130, another one of my favorites, expresses an interest in negative comparisons. At one point I thought the poet may be simply mocking the competition there is to develop the most elegant and beautiful goddess-like comparisons possible, but now I tend to lean toward the idea this is possibly more than mocking. There is a sense of confidence in the poet for his love and he has no need to misrepresent his love through outlandish comparisons.