Dylan HeckerMs.GardnerEnglish 10/PeriodSeptember 17 2014

Shakespeare Sonnet 1 Analysis

Throughout Sonnet 1 two large themes are traversed often, the main problem is

time’s connection to death, and the subsequent problem of what follows the demise of an

individual man. The poem’s use of contrasting vivid imagery, and personification of the Earth

makes a point to show the double edged nature of time. A good example of a contrasting case of

imagery would be the line “Making a famine where abundance lies,” as it contrasts a famine

found in a land of abundance. This line hints that later on, it can be seen that time is split similar

to a dualist religion rather than simply sinister.Time can be seen in perception as foreboding and

forgiving as well. The world is explained in the last two lines as “Pity the world, or else this

glutton be,” showing the world as a glutton giving it human qualities. Yet again creating a split

contrast as you can view an inanimate object and the human as always wanting more. Time is

originally presented as a problem seen as dark and insidious, later the poet makes no haste in

raising their power above the greatness of time. The poet does write that not a single man but a

whole legacy of a family can in turn make sure time doesn’t trump everything, as the future

generation can carry on hitting the ground running. In the end, Shakespeare knows time is an

abstract, unbeatable force compared to an individual man, standing over them like a giant,

however; a whole family can tower past the reaches of time and topple it over. This dictates the

power flesh and blood can truly hold.