Satvika Madadi

Mrs. Gardner
English 0
16 September 2014
Analysis:
In sonnet 60, the cycle of birth and death is constantly in motion: Birth is created
knowing death waits; however, through verse, immortality is achieved. Through the use
of imagery, William Shakespeare states the cycle of life, and says that through his
writing, he is and forever and always will be timeless. He says, Like as the waves make
towards the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end. This simile means
that like the tides flow out and recede, time gives us the gift of life, and then retains it
once more. He is implying that like the flow of the water, time is constantly running, with
no way to stop it, which also implies that the cycle of birth and death cant be stopped.
Then he says that Nativity, once in the main of light, which means that light can be
associated with birth, yet also death. This is implying the continuity of the cycle of birth
and death and addressing the belief that after death, souls will go back to where they
were created. Ultimately, Shakespeare is saying that Life and Death, and everything in
between are condemned by Times will. Though this is true, his words on paper will live
forever, immortalizing him along with his words.