Hallberg 1

Hikaru Hallberg
Ms. Gardner
English 10, Period 2
18 September 2014
Sonnet 17 Analysis
In William Shakespeares sonnet 17, the old age of the poets verse reflects the fact that it
is unstoppable by time: although time has a role in changing the appearance of his verse, the
actual ideas and love that he applies within it is not at all affected and shall live on until the end
of time. This same concept makes an appearance in the romance between the poet and his
beloved, and the idea of everlasting love continues to shine magnificently throughout the sonnet.
The use of similes and metaphors is constant yet subtle, conveying the attitude, position, and
proposition of the poet: the poet makes the claim that it [his poetry] is but as a tomb / Which
hides your life, and shows not half your parts (3-4), making use of irony and metaphorical
phrasing. The metaphor partially bound within this quote juxtaposes two pairs (heaven/tomb,
verse/tomb and life) and entwines them together, briefing the audience that the tomb which is his
verse veils his life and shrouds his true identity. Shakespeares use of cacophony plays a
substantial role in illuminating the detest and emphasizing the physical formation of the repellent
words communicated by the age to come (7), or future audiences and readers of the verse.
Finally, the poet states that if his beloved had a child, he should live in it as well as his verse. In
this way, he could live indefinitely both through his child, and between the lines of the poetry.
Although time may be impervious to all, the verse of the poet, expressed through love, passion,
and desire, immortalizes his voice by transmitting his words across his love, as well as the child.