“Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

“Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare first appeared in 1609, as part of the Quarto edition of “Fair Youth” sequence, where the speaker expresses admiration and love for a young man. The sonnet explores the theme of beauty as described in historical texts and poetry, with the speaker suggesting that past writers lacked the adequate words to capture the true essence of the young man’s loveliness. It grapples with the inadequacy of language to describe perfect beauty, highlighting the timelessness of beauty and the power it holds over generations. The poem utilizes vivid imagery and metaphors, along with a reflective tone, to create a sense of awe and reverence for the young man’s exceptional beauty.

Text: “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

Annotations: “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

Line	Annotation
When in the chronicle of wasted time	The speaker begins by referencing historical records (“chronicle”) and the passage of time (“wasted time”). This sets a contemplative tone, suggesting a reflection on the past.
I see descriptions of the fairest wights,	The speaker encounters written accounts of the most beautiful people (“fairest wights”) in these historical records. “Wights” is an archaic term for beings or creatures.
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme	The speaker notes how the beauty of these individuals inspired beautiful poetry (“old rhyme”) in the past. This emphasizes the enduring power of beauty to inspire art.
In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,	The poetry praised both women (“ladies dead”) and men (“lovely knights”), suggesting that beauty transcends gender.
Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best,	The speaker shifts to focusing on the detailed descriptions of beauty (“blazon”). A blazon was a poetic convention of cataloging a beloved’s physical attributes.
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,	The speaker lists specific body parts that were often praised in these blazons, highlighting the detailed focus on physical beauty in past poetry.
I see their antique pen would have express’d	The speaker imagines how the poets of the past (“their antique pen”) would have reacted to the beauty they witness now.
Even such a beauty as you master now.	The speaker addresses their beloved (“you”) and suggests that their beauty surpasses even the most beautiful figures from the past.
So all their praises are but prophecies	This is a turning point in the sonnet. The speaker claims that all the past praises of beauty were actually predictions (“prophecies”) of the beloved’s arrival.
Of this our time, all you prefiguring;	The beloved is seen as the culmination of all past beauty, the figure that past poets were unknowingly anticipating.
And, for they look’d but with divining eyes,	The past poets are described as having “divining eyes,” suggesting a limited vision of the future. They could only glimpse the idea of perfect beauty.
They had not skill enough your worth to sing:	The speaker asserts that past poets lacked the ability (“skill”) to adequately describe the beloved’s true worth.
For we, which now behold these present days,	The speaker includes themselves and their contemporaries in the present moment, contrasting them with the past.
Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.	The speaker admits that even they, who witness the beloved’s beauty firsthand, cannot find words (“lack tongues”) to fully express its magnificence.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

Device	Example(s)	Explanation	Function
Alliteration	“wasted time,” “fairest wights,” “beauty beautiful,” “ladies dead and lovely”	Repetition of initial consonant sounds	Enhances musicality, emphasizes words, and creates connections between ideas.
Anaphora	“Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow”	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.	Emphasizes the cataloging of beauty and creates a sense of rhythm.
Apostrophe	“you master now” (line 8)	Direct address to an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.	Heightens the emotional intensity of the poem and creates a sense of intimacy.
Assonance	“wasted time”	Repetition of vowel sounds within words	Enhances musicality and creates a sense of internal rhyme.
Caesura	“Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best,” (line 5)	A pause or break within a line of poetry, usually marked by punctuation.	Creates a dramatic pause and emphasizes the following phrase.
Consonance	“lovely knight**s”	Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words	Creates a subtle sense of rhyme and musicality.
Hyperbole	“Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise” (line 14)	Exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect.	Emphasizes the speaker’s inability to fully capture the beloved’s beauty in words.
Iambic pentameter	(The entire sonnet follows this meter)	A metrical pattern of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.	Creates a rhythmic structure and contributes to the poem’s formal beauty.
Imagery	“chronicle of wasted time,” “divining eyes,” “eyes to wonder”	Vivid descriptive language that appeals to the senses.	Creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and enhances the emotional impact.
Metaphor	“all their praises are but prophecies” (line 9)	A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”	Suggests that past praise prefigures the beloved’s beauty.
Metonymy	“antique pen” (line 7)	Substitution of the name of an attribute for the thing meant.	Creates a poetic shorthand and avoids repetition.
Octave and Sestet	(The sonnet is divided into an 8-line octave and a 6-line sestet)	The structural division of a sonnet, often marking a shift in theme or tone.	Creates a sense of balance and allows for the development of ideas.
Personification	“beauty making beautiful old rhyme” (line 3)	Attribution of human qualities to an inanimate object or abstract concept.	Makes the abstract concept of beauty more vivid and relatable.
Rhyme scheme	ABABCDCDEFEFGG	The ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of the lines of a poem or verse.	Creates a sense of unity and structure, and enhances musicality.
Simile	None in this excerpt.	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”	(Not present in this excerpt, but often used in other sonnets)
Symbolism	“wasted time,” “divining eyes”	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	Adds layers of meaning and allows for multiple interpretations.
Synecdoche	“hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow” (line 6)	A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.	Creates a vivid image of the beloved’s beauty through a focus on specific body parts.
Tone	Reverential, admiring, self-deprecating	The attitude of the speaker toward the subject.	Shapes the reader’s emotional response and creates a sense of intimacy.

Themes: “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

• Time and Beauty: Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 106” meditates on the timeless allure of beauty amidst the passage of time. By referencing “the chronicle of wasted time” and “descriptions of the fairest wights,” Shakespeare suggests that beauty transcends temporal boundaries. The sonnet implies that beauty is not confined to the present but is perpetuated through literature and poetry. This theme underscores the idea that poetry serves as a medium to immortalize beauty, allowing it to resonate across centuries. Shakespeare’s use of language, such as “antique pen” and “sweet beauty’s best,” evokes a sense of continuity between past and present, highlighting the enduring power of aesthetic appreciation.
• Poetry and Prophecy: Within “Sonnet 106,” Shakespeare explores the prophetic nature of poetry in foreseeing and celebrating beauty. The sonnet implies that poets, through their craft, can foresee the future allure of individuals like the beloved, albeit imperfectly. Shakespeare suggests that past poets, with their “antique pen,” attempted to capture the beauty of their time, anticipating the beauty of the beloved in the present. This theme reveals poetry’s capacity not only to reflect but also to shape perceptions of beauty, elevating the beloved to a status prophesied by earlier literary works. The sonnet’s structure and language convey a sense of continuity and anticipation, emphasizing poetry’s role in envisioning and honoring timeless beauty.
• Limitations of Language: “Sonnet 106” also addresses the inherent limitations of language in capturing the essence of beauty. Shakespeare laments that even though poets have “eyes to wonder” at the beauty they behold, they lack “tongues to praise” it adequately. This theme highlights the inadequacy of words in conveying the full spectrum of human experience, particularly the ineffable qualities of beauty. Shakespeare’s use of contrast between sight and speech underscores the tension between what is seen and what can be expressed through language. The sonnet suggests that while poetry attempts to encapsulate beauty, it ultimately acknowledges the limitations of linguistic expression in capturing its profound and elusive nature.
• The Poet’s Role: Finally, “Sonnet 106” explores the role of the poet in immortalizing beauty through verse. Shakespeare portrays poets as visionary figures who, through their craft, seek to preserve and celebrate the beauty of the beloved. The sonnet suggests that poets are akin to diviners who foresee and articulate the enduring allure of individuals like the beloved. By praising the beloved in poetry, the poet transcends temporal boundaries, ensuring that beauty is perpetuated through literary expression. Shakespeare’s portrayal of the poet as a custodian of beauty underscores poetry’s transformative power in commemorating and perpetuating aesthetic appreciation across time and cultural contexts.

Literary Theories and “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

Theory	Reference	Critique
Platonism	“So all their praises are but prophecies Of this our time, all you prefiguring;” (lines 9-10)	Shakespeare’s sonnet reflects Platonic ideals by suggesting that beauty is eternal and transcends time. However, some critics argue that this view reinforces a static and unattainable notion of beauty (Bloom, 1998).
Marxism	“When in the chronicle of wasted time I see descriptions of the fairest wights;” (lines 1-2)	Marxist critics might interpret the sonnet as a commentary on the commodification of beauty, where the speaker critiques the excesses of the past (Eagleton, 1983). However, others argue that Shakespeare’s focus on individual beauty overlooks larger social structures (Sinfield, 1992).
Feminism	“Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow, I see their antique pen would have express’d” (lines 5-6)	Feminist critics argue that the sonnet objectifies women, reducing them to physical attributes (Milford, 2005). However, others contend that Shakespeare’s emphasis on beauty subverts traditional gender roles, allowing women to occupy a space of agency and power (Jardine, 1983).

Critical Questions about “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

• How does Shakespeare explore the theme of time and its impact on beauty in Sonnet 106?
• Shakespeare introduces the theme of time immediately with the phrase “chronicle of wasted time.” This sets a tone of reflection on the past and the fleeting nature of beauty. The poem contrasts the “fairest wights” of the past with the beauty of the present, suggesting that beauty is not immune to the passage of time. However, the speaker argues that the beloved’s beauty transcends time, as it fulfills the “prophecies” of past poets and serves as a culmination of all previous beauty. This implies that true beauty is timeless, even if individual instances of it are ephemeral.
• What is the significance of the “blazon” in Sonnet 106, and how does it relate to the overall theme of the poem?
• The blazon, a poetic convention of cataloging a beloved’s physical attributes, is used in lines 5-6 to emphasize the meticulous detail with which past poets described beauty. By listing specific body parts (“hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow”), Shakespeare highlights the focus on physical perfection in traditional love poetry. However, the speaker later claims that even these detailed descriptions fall short of capturing the true essence of the beloved’s beauty, suggesting that true beauty transcends mere physical attributes.
• How does Shakespeare use language and imagery to elevate the beloved’s beauty above that of figures from the past?
• Shakespeare employs hyperbole and metaphor to elevate the beloved’s beauty. The speaker claims that past poets’ “praises are but prophecies” of the beloved, implying that their beauty surpasses anything previously imagined. The use of religious language, like “prophecies” and “divining eyes,” further elevates the beloved to an almost divine status. The speaker’s own admission of inadequacy (“lack tongues to praise”) reinforces the idea that the beloved’s beauty is beyond the capacity of language to describe.
• What is the role of the speaker’s self-deprecation in Sonnet 106, and how does it contribute to the poem’s overall meaning?
• The speaker’s self-deprecation is evident in the final couplet: “For we, which now behold these present days, / Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.” By admitting their inability to adequately praise the beloved, the speaker humbles themself before the transcendent nature of the beloved’s beauty. This self-deprecation not only intensifies the praise of the beloved but also acknowledges the limitations of human language and perception in the face of true beauty.

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

1. “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare: Celebrates the timeless beauty of the beloved, using natural imagery to immortalize their essence.
2. “Sonnet 55” by William Shakespeare: Explores the power of poetry to preserve the beloved’s beauty against the ravages of time and historical oblivion.
3. “Sonnet 19: When I consider how my light is spent” by John Milton: Reflects on the poet’s struggles with blindness and the limitations it imposes on his ability to serve God, echoing themes of time and mortality.
4. “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats: Contemplates the timeless beauty and permanence of art, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of human life.
5. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell: Urges the beloved to seize the moment and embrace love before time and mortality take their toll, encapsulating themes of time’s passage and the urgency of love.

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 106” by William Shakespeare

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective	Significance
“When in the chronicle of wasted time / I see descriptions of the fairest wights” (lines 1-2)	The speaker begins by reflecting on historical records and the descriptions of beauty found within them.	New Historicism: This quotation highlights the importance of historical context in understanding literature. It also suggests that beauty standards are influenced by cultural and historical factors.	The opening lines set the stage for a comparison between past and present beauty, emphasizing the enduring fascination with the concept of beauty across time.
“And beauty making beautiful old rhyme / In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights” (lines 3-4)	The speaker acknowledges the power of beauty to inspire art, particularly poetry.	Reader-Response Criticism: This quotation invites readers to consider their own responses to beauty and how it may inspire creative expression.	It emphasizes the transformative power of beauty and its ability to transcend time and mortality through artistic representation.
“So all their praises are but prophecies / Of this our time, all you prefiguring” (lines 9-10)	The speaker suggests that past praise of beauty foreshadowed the arrival of the beloved in the present.	Formalism: This quotation demonstrates the sonnet’s turn (volta) where the focus shifts from the past to the present.	It elevates the beloved’s beauty, suggesting that it surpasses anything previously imagined, and positions them as the culmination of all past beauty.
“And, for they look’d but with divining eyes, / They had not skill enough your worth to sing” (lines 11-12)	The speaker suggests that past poets, despite their attempts, lacked the ability to fully capture the beloved’s true worth.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: This quotation could be interpreted as the speaker’s projection of their own inadequacy onto past poets, highlighting the anxiety and insecurity that can accompany intense admiration.	It reinforces the idea that the beloved’s beauty is transcendent and beyond the capacity of language to fully describe.
“For we, which now behold these present days, / Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise” (lines 13-14)	The speaker admits their own inability to adequately express the beloved’s beauty.	Deconstruction: This quotation deconstructs the traditional sonnet form by acknowledging the limits of language in capturing true beauty.	The final couplet serves as a humble tribute to the beloved, suggesting that even the most eloquent praise falls short of expressing their true worth.