Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare | When in the chronicle of wasted time | Sonnet 106 | William Shakespeare | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sonnet 106
When in the chronicle of wasted time
(William Shakespeare)
When in the chronicle of wasted time
I see descriptions of the fairest wights,
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme
In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,
Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best,
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
I see their antique pen would have express’d
Even such a beauty as you master now.
So all their praises are but prophecies
Of this our time, all you prefiguring;
And, for they look’d but with divining eyes,
They had not skill enough your worth to sing:
For we, which now behold these present days,
Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.
Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare: YouTube Link
Sonnet 106 line-by-line explanation
When in the chronicle of wasted time
I see descriptions of the fairest wights,
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme
In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,
Explanation
“When in the chronicle of wasted time”:
The “chronicle” refers to historical records or writings.
“Wasted time” suggests the passage of time and the accumulation of past events.
The poet reflects on these records, which document the past.
“I see descriptions of the fairest wights”:
“Fairest wights” refers to the most beautiful people.
The poet encounters descriptions of their beauty in old writings.
“And beauty making beautiful old rhyme”:
“Beauty” is personified as if it can create beautiful poetry.
The old rhymes (poems) praise the beauty of ladies and knights who are now deceased.
“In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights”:
The old poems celebrate the beauty of women and knights who have passed away.
These praises were written when those individuals were alive.
Poetic devices
Alliteration:
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates a musical effect. Example: “beauty making beautiful old rhyme”: The repetition of the ‘b’ sound emphasizes the beauty being described.
Imagery:
The lines evoke vivid mental images.
“Chronicle of wasted time” conjures the idea of historical records.
“Descriptions of the fairest wights” paints a picture of beautiful people.
Personification:
“Beauty making beautiful old rhyme” personifies beauty as if it can create poetry.
Beauty is given agency, suggesting it actively shapes old rhymes.
Metaphor:
“chronicle of wasted time”: This phrase suggests that the past is like a book of records (“chronicle”) that has lost its significance over time (“wasted time”). It conveys the idea that history, although filled with beauty, is something that has passed and is now “wasted.”
Enjambment:
The lines flow seamlessly into each other without punctuation.
This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity.
Irony:
The irony lies in praising the beauty of the present while acknowledging the inadequacy of past descriptions.
The old praises become “prophecies” that foretell the beauty of the current moment.
Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best,
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
I see their antique pen would have express’d
Even such a beauty as you master now.
Explanation
“Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best”:
The term “blazon” refers to a detailed description or depiction.
The poet imagines that if those ancient writers had described the pinnacle of beauty, they would have used their pens to create an elaborate blazon.
“Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow”:
The poet lists various features associated with beauty: hands, feet, lips, eyes, and brows.
These features are often praised in poetry and art.
“I see their antique pen would have express’d”:
The “antique pen” refers to the pens of those ancient writers.
The poet envisions that their pens would have expressed the beauty of the present moment.
“Even such a beauty as you master now”:
The poet addresses the person before them, emphasizing that their beauty surpasses anything described by those ancient writers.
The present beauty is so remarkable that even the eloquence of the past would fall short.
Poetic Device
Alliteration:
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words creates a musical effect. Example: “blazon of sweet beauty’s best” (repetition of the “b” sound).
Imagery:
The lines evoke vivid mental images.
“Blazon” refers to a detailed description or depiction, emphasizing the visual aspect.
The list of body parts (“hand, foot, lip, eye, brow”) conjures specific images associated with beauty.
Metaphor:
“antique pen”: The “antique pen” metaphorically represents the poets of the past. It suggests that these poets used their writing instruments to capture the beauty of their time.
Enjambment:
The lines flow seamlessly into each other without punctuation.
This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, mirroring the theme of time passing.
So all their praises are but prophecies
Of this our time, all you prefiguring;
And, for they look’d but with divining eyes,
They had not skill enough your worth to sing:
Explanation
“So all their praises are but prophecies”:
The poet suggests that the praises given by ancient writers were like predictions or prophecies.
These praises anticipated the beauty that would emerge in the future—the beauty of the present moment.
“Of this our time, all you prefiguring”:
The present beauty is a prefiguration—an early indication—of what was to come.
The poet addresses the person before them, emphasizing that their beauty embodies the best of the current era.
“And, for they look’d but with divining eyes”:
The ancient writers looked at beauty with a sense of foresight or divination.
Their vision went beyond the surface, seeing the potential and significance.
“They had not skill enough your worth to sing”:
Despite their insight, those writers lacked the skill to fully express the worth of the present beauty.
The person before the poet is so remarkable that their true value cannot be adequately captured in words.
Poetic Device
Metaphor:
“praises are but prophecies”: Here, the “praises” of past poets are metaphorically described as “prophecies,” suggesting that their admiration for beauty foresaw the remarkable beauty of the present time.
Personification:
“They looked but with divining eyes” personifies the ancient writers.
Their vision is portrayed as having mystical insight or foresight (“divining eyes”).
Enjambment:
The lines flow seamlessly into each other without punctuation.
This creates a sense of continuity and urgency, emphasizing the poet’s message.
For we, which now behold these present days,
Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.
Explanation
“For we, which now behold these present days”:
The poet refers to the people living in the present.
“Behold” means to observe or witness.
“Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise”:
The people of the present have the ability to marvel at what they see (“eyes to wonder”).
However, their words fall short in expressing full praise or admiration (“lack tongues to praise”).
The poet acknowledges the limitations of language in capturing the beauty and significance of the current moment.
Poetic Device
Metaphor:
“eyes to wonder” and “tongues to praise”: Shakespeare uses “eyes” and “tongues” metaphorically. “Eyes” represent the ability to see and appreciate beauty, while “tongues” symbolize the ability to verbalize or praise that beauty. The metaphor suggests a disconnect between perception and expression.
Antithesis:
The contrast between “eyes to wonder” and “lack tongues to praise” creates an antithesis.
While people can marvel at what they see, their ability to express admiration falls short.
Irony:
The irony lies in the fact that although the present generation can perceive and appreciate beauty, they are still unable to adequately praise it. This reflects the ongoing struggle of capturing the full essence of beauty in words.
