Shakespeare's Sonnet 73 Analysis

What does the first quatrain of Sonnet 73 symbolize?

What does the second quatrain of Sonnet 73 depict?

In Sonnet 73, the image of fire represents what concept?

What is a structural feature of Shakespeare's Sonnet 73?

What type of sonnet format does Sonnet 73 follow?

What is the rhyme scheme of Sonnet 73?

In Sonnet 73, what does the image of Autumn represent?

What does the second quatrain of Sonnet 73 symbolize?

How is fire depicted in the third quatrain of Sonnet 73?

Which previous works of Shakespeare had been published before Sonnet 73?

Overview of Sonnet 73

Published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe, Sonnet 73 is part of Shakespeare's collection of sonnets.
Contains three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet, following the English Shakespearean sonnet structure.

Structure

The rhyme scheme of Sonnet 73 is a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f for the quatrains, with a g-g rhyme for the couplet.
This sonnet form is derived from the stylistic innovations of the Earl of Surrey, adapting the Italian sonnet structure.

Themes of Man vs. Time

The first quatrain uses Autumn as a metaphor for old age, highlighting physical decline.
The second quatrain presents twilight imagery, symbolizing the progression towards death.
The third quatrain features the imagery of a dying fire, representing life dwindling towards its end.

Symbolism

Autumn signifies the inevitability of aging and the consequences of time on human life.
Twilight emphasizes the transition from life to death, reflecting on mortality.
The dying fire metaphor illustrates the relationship between life and death, with life slowly being consumed.

Literary Connections

The phrase "When yellow leaves, or none, or few..." evokes themes of weariness, akin to references in Macbeth, reinforcing feelings of decline.

Explore the themes, structure, and symbolism of Shakespeare's Sonnet 73. This quiz delves into the metaphors of aging, mortality, and the passage of time depicted in the poem. Uncover the rich imagery and the emotional depth that Shakespeare captures in this poignant piece.