Sonnet 60 Analysis

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the structure of the poem as a whole?

Four contrasting views of an emotion, with no final resolution

Three increasingly ominous representations of a process, followed by an optimistic assertion (correct)

Three different conceits about the power of an idea, followed by generalization about its ultimate fragility

An extended comparison, in which two concepts are eventually shown to be at odds

A dispassionate analysis of an event, devoid of personal reference until the final image

The first twelve lines of the poem primarily focus on the

Relentlessness of time (correct)

Saving power of poetry

Courage to resist fate

Fragility of beauty

Painfulness of death

The action of the waves in lines 1-4 is best described as

A reassuring monotony

A confused jumble

An inexorable procession (correct)

A mysterious transformation

A remorseless competition

The subject of lines 1-4 is best described as the

Minutes of our lives elapsing Signup and view all the answers

In line 5, 'Nativity' refers primarily to the

Earliest stage of life Signup and view all the answers

In line 6, the word 'Crawls' serves primarily to

Evoke both a baby's movements and the idea that in youth the years pass slowly Signup and view all the answers

The image of 'Crooked eclipses' is most closely linked to which other image in the poem?

'The main of light' (line 5) Signup and view all the answers

In context, the phrase 'transfix the flourish' (line 9) is best understood to mean

Finish the vitality Signup and view all the answers

The verbs in lines 9-13 'transfix', 'delves', 'feeds on', and 'now' serve to dramatize

Time's absolute control over human life Signup and view all the answers

Line 12, 'And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow' is best paraphrased as

Everything exists only to be destroyed Signup and view all the answers

The end rhymes of the poem divide it formally into

Three quatrains and a couplet Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structure and Themes

The poem features an overall structure that presents three increasingly ominous representations of a process, concluding with an optimistic assertion.
The primary focus of the first twelve lines revolves around the relentlessness of time.

Imagery and Symbolism

The action of the waves in lines 1-4 is characterized as an inexorable procession, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of time.
The subject of these lines depicts the elapsing minutes of our lives.
The phrase "Nativity" in line 5 refers to the earliest stage of life, highlighting themes of birth and beginnings.

Word Choices and Meanings

The word "Crawls" in line 6 evokes both a baby's movements and the notion that time seems slow during youth, indicating a gradual passage of life.
The image of "Crooked eclipses" is closely linked to "the main of light" in line 5, suggesting contrasts between darkness and illumination in life.

Poetic Devices and Effects

The phrase "transfix the flourish" (line 9) means to finish the vitality, reflecting on the permanence versus impermanence of existence.
Verbs such as "transfix," "delves," "feeds on," and "now" in lines 9-13 dramatize time's absolute control over human life, emphasizing its relentless nature.

Themes of Mortality and Permanence

Line 12, "And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow," can be paraphrased as everything exists only to be destroyed, underscoring the inevitability of mortality.
The poem formally divides into three quatrains and a couplet, following a traditional poetic structure that contributes to its rhythm.

Key Insights on Art and Experience

The speaker expresses despair regarding the endurance of art amidst the inevitabilities of time, reflecting on the fragile relationship between creativity and mortality.

Description

Test your understanding of the structure and themes in Sonnet 60. This quiz covers key elements and interpretations of the poem, allowing you to explore its complex layers and meanings. Perfect for students studying Shakespeare’s work!