“Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

“Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare first appeared in 1609 in the collection of sonnets titled “Shake-speare’s Sonnets”. This sonnet is known for its vivid imagery, contrasting themes, and introspective tone. The speaker contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of death, expressing a sense of melancholy and the fleeting nature of life. The sonnet’s main idea revolves around the conflict between the speaker’s desire for youth and beauty and the harsh reality of aging and mortality.

Text: “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

Annotations: “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

Line	Annotation
1. When I do count the clock that tells the time	The speaker reflects on the passage of time, using the ticking of a clock as a metaphor for life’s fleeting nature.
2. And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;	The contrast between day and night symbolizes the transition from vitality (day) to death or decay (night). “Brave day” refers to the strength and beauty of youth, while “hideous night” represents aging or the end of life.
3. When I behold the violet past prime,	The violet, a symbol of beauty, is now “past prime,” indicating the fading of youth and vitality.
4. And sable curls all silver’d o’er with white;	“Sable curls” refers to dark hair turning white, another metaphor for aging. The change in hair color signifies the inevitable process of growing older.
5. When lofty trees I see barren of leaves	Trees that were once full of life are now bare, representing the loss of vigor and beauty as time progresses.
6. Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,	The trees once provided shade and protection to animals (“the herd”) from the sun, but now, in their barrenness, they can no longer serve that purpose.
7. And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves	“Summer’s green” refers to the lushness and abundance of summer, now harvested and bound in sheaves, symbolizing the end of a fruitful life.
8. Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,	The imagery of a “bier” (a platform for carrying the dead) with a “white and bristly beard” evokes the idea of death and old age, with nature itself seeming to age and die.
9. Then of thy beauty do I question make,	The speaker begins to question the endurance of beauty, recognizing that it too will be subject to time’s decay.
10. That thou among the wastes of time must go,	The addressee’s beauty, like everything else, will eventually be lost to time and its inevitable ravages.
11. Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake	All things sweet and beautiful eventually abandon themselves, decaying naturally as they are replaced by new life.
12. And die as fast as they see others grow;	This line reflects the cycle of life: as one generation dies, another grows to take its place, underscoring the fleeting nature of beauty and life.
13. And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence	Time is depicted as a reaper with a scythe, and no one can defend against it. This image reinforces the inevitability of aging and death.
14. Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.	The only defense against the ravages of time is reproduction—through offspring, one can symbolically “brave” Time and continue to exist, even after death.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

Literary/Poetic Device	Definition	Example from Sonnet 12	Explanation
Alliteration	Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.	“silver’d o’er with white”	The repetition of the “w” sound emphasizes the imagery of aging and the transition of hair color.
Metaphor	A direct comparison between two unrelated things.	“Time’s scythe”	Time is metaphorically described as a reaper with a scythe, symbolizing the inevitability of death.
Personification	Giving human characteristics to non-human things.	“And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence”	Time is personified as a figure wielding a scythe, capable of destroying life and beauty.
Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.	“violet past prime”	The image of a fading violet evokes the visual decay of beauty and youth.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line.	“And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves / Borne on the bier”	The thought flows from one line to the next without a break, maintaining the momentum of the imagery.
Caesura	A pause in the middle of a line, often marked by punctuation.	“And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;”	The pause after “see” creates a dramatic shift between the vibrant day and the “hideous” night.
Iambic Pentameter	A meter with five iambic feet (unstressed-stressed syllables) per line.	“When I do count the clock that tells the time”	The sonnet follows a regular iambic pentameter, contributing to the musical rhythm of the poem.
Volta	A rhetorical shift or dramatic change in thought or emotion in a sonnet.	“Then of thy beauty do I question make”	The volta in this sonnet occurs here, shifting the focus from the decay of nature to the inevitable decline of human beauty.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within words.	“Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard”	The repetition of the “i” sound in “bier,” “white,” and “bristly” links the words and enhances the somber tone.
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end of words.	“brave day sunk in hideous night”	The “k” sound in “sunk” and “night” creates a harsh, abrupt conclusion to the line, reflecting the fading of the day.
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	“The clock”	The clock symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitable progression toward death.
Antithesis	Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a balanced manner.	“brave day” and “hideous night”	The contrast between “day” and “night” emphasizes the inevitable transition from life and beauty to death and decay.
Repetition	Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis.	“When” (repeated in lines 1, 3, 5)	The repetition of “when” sets up a pattern of reflection and emphasizes the inevitability of time’s effects.
Irony	A contrast between expectation and reality.	“sweets and beauties do themselves forsake”	The irony here is that beauty, often valued for its timelessness, ultimately succumbs to time and forsakes itself.
Paradox	A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.	“die as fast as they see others grow”	It seems contradictory for growth and death to happen simultaneously, but the paradox reveals the cyclical nature of life.
Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.	“nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence”	The claim that nothing can defend against time’s scythe is an exaggeration to emphasize the unstoppable nature of time.
Synecdoche	A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole.	“Time’s scythe”	The scythe is a tool of a reaper, representing death as a whole and the power of time to cut life short.
Apostrophe	Addressing an absent person, abstract idea, or object.	“Then of thy beauty do I question make”	The speaker addresses the concept of beauty as if it were a person, questioning its endurance against time.
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.	“When I do count… When I behold… When lofty trees…”	The repetition of “When” at the start of multiple lines creates a rhythmic structure, emphasizing the reflective nature of the poem.
Metonymy	A figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something associated with it.	“Time’s scythe”	“Scythe” is used to represent time’s destructive power, indirectly associating the tool with the concept of death.

Themes: “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

• Theme 1: The Inevitability of Time and Aging
• Sonnet 12 explores the pervasive theme of the passage of time and its inexorable impact on all things. The speaker, counting the clock and witnessing the decline of nature, confronts the harsh reality of aging and decay. The imagery of the “violet past prime” and “sable curls all silver’d o’er with white” vividly depicts the physical manifestations of time’s relentless march. This theme is further emphasized by the contrast between the vibrant summer and the barren winter, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of beauty and the inevitability of loss.
• Theme 2: The Fear of Mortality
• The sonnet’s contemplation of time’s passage naturally leads to the fear of mortality. The speaker questions the fate of his beloved’s beauty, fearing that it will succumb to the ravages of time. The image of “sweet and beauties” dying “as fast as they see others grow” underscores the cyclical nature of life and death. This theme is heightened by the speaker’s desperate search for a way to defy time’s scythe, ultimately finding solace in the idea of procreation as a means of preserving his beloved’s legacy.
• Theme 3: The Conflict Between Beauty and Time
• Sonnet 12 highlights the inherent conflict between the ephemeral nature of beauty and the relentless passage of time. The speaker is captivated by the beauty of his beloved but is deeply troubled by the knowledge that it is destined to fade. The imagery of the “brave day sunk in hideous night” and the “lofty trees barren of leaves” symbolizes the inevitable decline of all things, including beauty. This conflict creates a sense of melancholy and longing as the speaker grapples with the transience of human existence.
• Theme 4: The Power of Love and Legacy
• Despite the overwhelming theme of mortality, Sonnet 12 ultimately offers a glimmer of hope. The speaker concludes that the only way to defy time’s scythe is through procreation. By creating a new life, the beloved’s beauty can be perpetuated, ensuring that her legacy will endure. This theme suggests that love and legacy can provide a measure of immortality, transcending the limitations of time and death.

Literary Theories and “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

Literary Theory	Definition	Application to Sonnet 12	References from the Sonnet
New Historicism	This theory examines literature in the context of the time in which it was written, considering historical, social, and cultural influences on the text.	Sonnet 12 reflects Renaissance concerns with the passage of time, mortality, and the value of procreation. During Shakespeare’s era, there was significant emphasis on lineage and immortality through offspring, as well as a fascination with nature’s cycles and death.	“And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence / Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.” This reference shows the cultural importance of lineage as a defense against time and death, reflecting Renaissance values.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Based on Freudian theory, this approach analyzes literature in terms of unconscious desires, fears, and anxieties. It often explores themes of mortality, identity, and repression.	The sonnet can be seen as expressing an underlying fear of aging and death. The speaker’s preoccupation with the fading of beauty and the march of time may reflect unconscious anxieties about mortality and the desire for immortality through progeny.	“Then of thy beauty do I question make, / That thou among the wastes of time must go.” The speaker’s anxiety about the loss of beauty and time’s inevitable effects suggests a deep-seated fear of death and decay.
Ecocriticism	This theory explores the relationship between literature and the natural world, focusing on how nature is represented and how human life is connected to environmental cycles.	In Sonnet 12, nature is central to the imagery of aging and decay. The sonnet draws parallels between the life cycles of humans and nature, showing how both are subject to the destructive forces of time. This reinforces a connection between human mortality and natural processes.	“When lofty trees I see barren of leaves / Which erst from heat did canopy the herd.” The image of trees losing their leaves symbolizes the natural cycle of life and death, aligning human mortality with the processes of nature.

Critical Questions about “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

• How does the speaker’s contemplation of time’s passage contribute to the overall theme of the sonnet?
• The speaker’s contemplation of time’s passage is central to the overall theme of the sonnet. By counting the clock and observing the decline of nature, the speaker confronts the harsh reality of aging and death. This contemplation creates a sense of melancholy and longing as the speaker grapples with the transience of human existence. The imagery of the “violet past prime” and the “lofty trees barren of leaves” vividly depicts the ravages of time, emphasizing the inevitability of loss and decay.
• What is the significance of the contrast between youth and old age in the sonnet?
• The contrast between youth and old age is a significant motif in the sonnet. The speaker yearns for the beauty and vitality of youth, but is confronted with the harsh reality of aging and decay. The imagery of the “brave day sunk in hideous night” and the “sable curls all silver’d o’er with white” vividly depicts the physical manifestations of time’s passage. This contrast highlights the conflict between the speaker’s desire for immortality and the inevitability of death.
• How does the speaker’s attitude towards death evolve throughout the sonnet?
• The speaker’s attitude towards death is complex and multifaceted. Initially, he is filled with dread and despair at the thought of his beloved’s beauty fading. However, towards the end of the sonnet, he finds a glimmer of hope in the idea of procreation. By creating a new life, the speaker believes that his beloved’s legacy can be perpetuated, ensuring that her beauty will endure. This suggests that the speaker’s attitude towards death shifts from fear and despair to a sense of hope and resilience.
• What is the role of procreation in the sonnet’s exploration of mortality?
• Procreation plays a crucial role in the sonnet’s exploration of mortality. The speaker ultimately concludes that the only way to defy time’s scythe is through procreation. By creating a new life, the beloved’s beauty can be perpetuated, ensuring that her legacy will endure. This suggests that procreation offers a measure of immortality, transcending the limitations of time and death. However, the sonnet also acknowledges the bittersweet nature of this solution, as the speaker recognizes that even his child will one day face the same fate.

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

1. “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats
   Both poems explore themes of time, mortality, and the fleeting nature of beauty, contrasting the impermanence of life with the eternal.
2. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell
   This poem addresses the passage of time and the inevitability of death, urging the importance of making the most of youth and beauty, much like Shakespeare’s reflection on time’s decay.
3. “When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be” by John Keats
   Keats expresses a fear of time running out and mortality, similar to how Sonnet 12 deals with aging and the loss of beauty due to time.
4. “Ulysses” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
   Although a longer poem, “Ulysses” shares the theme of confronting the limitations imposed by time and aging, as Shakespeare does in Sonnet 12.
5. “Sailing to Byzantium” by W.B. Yeats
   Yeats’ poem also meditates on aging, the transitory nature of physical beauty, and the desire for a kind of immortality, echoing themes in Sonnet 12.

Representative Quotations of “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“When I do count the clock that tells the time”	The speaker begins by reflecting on the passage of time as measured by a clock. This introduces the sonnet’s meditation on aging and mortality.	New Historicism: Timekeeping and the awareness of life’s fleeting nature were central concerns during the Renaissance.
“And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;”	The day turning into night symbolizes the inevitable decline from youth and vitality to old age and death.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: The imagery suggests an unconscious fear of death and the end of vitality.
“When I behold the violet past prime,”	The violet, a symbol of beauty, has withered, indicating the loss of youth and beauty over time.	Ecocriticism: Nature’s cycles mirror human aging, emphasizing the connection between natural processes and human life.
“And sable curls all silver’d o’er with white;”	Dark hair turning white is a metaphor for aging, emphasizing physical decay as a visual marker of time’s effects.	Feminist Criticism: This could be examined as a commentary on societal standards of beauty and aging, particularly for women.
“When lofty trees I see barren of leaves”	The image of trees losing their leaves symbolizes the loss of vitality and life as seasons change.	Ecocriticism: The natural world’s cycles of life and death are paralleled with human aging and mortality.
“And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves”	The imagery of harvested grain suggests the end of growth, tying the cycle of seasons to the progression of human life.	Marxist Criticism: The reference to harvest labor could be explored as a symbol of the working class’s connection to the cycles of life and death.
“Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,”	The image of death, with white hair and a bier, evokes the finality of life, reinforcing the theme of inevitable aging.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: This line reflects a deep fear of death and the physical decay that accompanies aging.
“Then of thy beauty do I question make”	The speaker begins to question the permanence of beauty in the face of time’s inevitable destruction.	Deconstruction: The concept of beauty is shown to be unstable and transient, open to deconstruction as it fades over time.
“Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake”	Beauty is personified as something that abandons itself, indicating that even what is most prized naturally decays.	New Criticism: This line emphasizes the inherent paradox in beauty and the inevitability of decay, a key theme of the poem.
“And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence”	Time is depicted as a reaper, and nothing can protect against its destructive power. This line is the culmination of the sonnet’s meditation on the inevitability of death.	New Historicism: The use of a reaper figure reflects early modern attitudes toward death and the transience of life.

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time” by William Shakespeare

1. Lovelock, Julian. “Shakespeare’s Sonnets: The ‘Friend(s)’, the ‘Dark Lady’ and Anne.” Where All the Ladders Start: A Study of Poems, Poets and the People Who Inspired Them, The Lutterworth Press, 2023, pp. 9–34. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.7762640.5. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
2. Graziani, René. “The Numbering of Shakespeare’s Sonnets: 12, 60, and 126.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 35, no. 1, 1984, pp. 79–82. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2869687. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
3. Crosman, Robert. “Making Love out of Nothing at All: The Issue of Story in Shakespeare’s Procreation Sonnets.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 41, no. 4, 1990, pp. 470–88. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2870777. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
4. Weiser, David K. “SHAKESPEAREAN IRONY: The ‘Sonnets.’” Neuphilologische Mitteilungen, vol. 84, no. 4, 1983, pp. 456–69. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43343552. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.