Sonnet 73 – “That time of year thou mayst in me behold”
Poet: William Shakespeare
Form: English (Shakespearean) Sonnet
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
Type: Sonnet of reflection on aging and mortality
Summary of the Poem
In Sonnet 73, Shakespeare compares his stage of life to three powerful images that show the approach of death and the fading of youth.
He expresses how his beloved (the person addressed) can see in him the signs of old age — like the late season of autumn, the dying of daylight, and the burning out of a fire.
The poem conveys that when love realizes time is limited, it becomes more intense and more precious.
Stanza-wise Summary (Conceptual)
1st Quatrain (Lines 1–4):
The poet compares himself to autumn, the season when leaves fall, birds leave, and cold winds blow.
It symbolizes the late stage of life, approaching death and decay.2nd Quatrain (Lines 5–8):
He compares himself to the fading twilight of day, after which dark night (death) takes over.
The night represents the end of life — the inevitable death that follows the fading of light (youth).3rd Quatrain (Lines 9–12):
The poet now likens himself to the dying fire, whose flames consume the ashes of its own youth.
This represents how life feeds on itself until it ends.Couplet (Lines 13–14):
The poet concludes that the beloved’s love grows stronger because they are aware that death will soon part them.
Love becomes more valuable in the face of mortality.Central Idea / Theme
Mortality and the passage of time
Aging and the approach of death
The power of love that grows stronger as life fades
Awareness of mortality deepens emotional connectionThe poem is a meditation on aging, decay, and the realization that love becomes purer and more intense when confronted with the awareness of death.
Tone and Mood
Tone: Reflective, melancholic, philosophical
Mood: Somber yet affectionate, filled with quiet acceptanceImportant Words and Their Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Behold | To see or observe |
| Yellow leaves | Symbol of aging and decay |
| Bare ruined choirs | Empty church choirs, symbolizing deserted beauty |
| Twilight | The fading light of day, symbolizing the end of life |
| Black night | Symbol of death |
| Death’s second self | Sleep, a metaphor for death |
| Glowing of such fire | The remaining passion or life in old age |
| Consumed by that which it was nourished by | Life burns out by what once gave it energy |
| Perceiv’st | Perceive, see clearly |
| Love more strong | Love becomes more intense |
Imagery and Symbols
Autumn (Fall): Symbolizes old age and nearing death
Twilight/Night: Symbolizes the fading of life and arrival of death
Fire turning to ashes: Symbolizes the dying energy of life
Love’s endurance: Symbolizes emotional strength and purityPoetic Devices
| Device | Example / Description |
|---|---|
| Metaphor | Each quatrain uses a metaphor – autumn, twilight, and dying fire. |
| Imagery | Vivid visual pictures of nature’s decay. |
| Alliteration | “Bare ruined choirs” – repetition of ‘r’. |
| Personification | Death is personified as “Death’s second self.” |
| Contrast | Between life and death, light and darkness, warmth and cold. |
| Couplet (Volta) | A sudden shift where love triumphs over death. |
Critical Appreciation
Sonnet 73 is one of Shakespeare’s most personal and profound reflections on aging.
It expresses the universality of human decline but transforms it into something beautiful — love that appreciates every remaining moment.
The imagery of nature, time, and fire connects the physical decay with the spiritual depth of affection.
Shakespeare masterfully shows how awareness of mortality strengthens human bonds.
Themes for Examination
-
Transience of life
-
Power of love in the face of death
-
Time and decay
-
Acceptance of mortality
-
Emotional maturity and spiritual beauty in aging
Important 2 Marks Questions
-
What season is referred to in Sonnet 73?
→ Autumn (symbolizing old age and nearing death). -
What does “bare ruined choirs” signify?
→ Empty branches resembling church choirs without singers — symbol of decay. -
What does “Death’s second self” refer to?
→ Sleep, which symbolizes death. -
What does the fire metaphor in the third quatrain signify?
→ The fading of life energy and passion as one grows old. -
What happens to love as the poet ages?
→ It becomes stronger and more valuable.
Important 6 Marks Questions
-
Discuss the imagery used by Shakespeare in Sonnet 73.
→ Shakespeare uses three powerful images — autumn, twilight, and dying fire — to depict the approach of death and aging. These natural and vivid symbols show the gradual decline of vitality, yet the poet ends with a note of spiritual elevation, showing love’s power to grow stronger even as life fades. -
What is the central idea of Sonnet 73?
→ The sonnet reflects on the inevitability of aging and death but also celebrates the strength and depth of love that becomes more intense when time is limited. -
How does Shakespeare convey the passage of time and the awareness of death in Sonnet 73?
→ Through the imagery of nature’s decay, fading daylight, and a dying fire, he shows the stages of life and the coming of death, ending with the realization that love endures despite mortality. -
How is love portrayed in Sonnet 73?
→ Love is shown as pure, enduring, and strengthened by the awareness of time’s end. The poet’s beloved loves him more deeply because she knows he is nearing the end of life.
Conclusion
Sonnet 73 is a deeply philosophical poem that transforms aging and death into a celebration of love and awareness.
It reminds us that life’s beauty lies in its impermanence, and love becomes eternal when it accepts mortality.
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