Sonnet 106 Summary
Sonnet 106 was first published in Thomas Thorpe’s 1609 quarto edition of Shakespeare’s sonnets. In Sonnet 106, Shakespeare begins by reflecting on historical records where past writers described the most beautiful people of their time. These records, referred to as the “chronicle of wasted time,” contain detailed descriptions of the “fairest wights,” or the most beautiful individuals. The speaker notes that these descriptions are preserved in poetry, praising ladies and knights who have since passed away.
The speaker observes that the ancient poets often detailed the finest features of beauty, listing hands, feet, lips, eyes, and brows as examples. He believes that these poets were attempting to capture a beauty that is now perfectly embodied by the person he addresses in the sonnet. In this way, the speaker suggests that the praises of beauty from the past were actually prophecies, foreseeing the beauty of the present day and specifically prefiguring the beauty of the addressee.
The speaker acknowledges that while the ancient poets had a prophetic vision, they lacked the full ability to adequately express the worth of the present beauty. They looked with “divining eyes,” but their skills were insufficient to capture the complete essence of the beauty they foresaw.
Concluding the sonnet, the speaker remarks that even in the present day, people can admire such beauty but are still unable to find the right words to praise it sufficiently. This highlights a recurring theme in the sonnet: the timeless and transcendent nature of true beauty, and the perpetual struggle of poets to encapsulate it in words.
Sonnet 106 Key Points
Author
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is an iconic English playwright, poet, and actor. His works have left an indelible mark on literature, and his sonnets are celebrated for their depth and emotional resonance.
Form (Rhyme Scheme)
Sonnet Form: The poem follows the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter.
Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This pattern includes three quatrains followed by a concluding couplet.
Speaker
The speaker is the lyrical voice within the poem. In Sonnet 106, the speaker directly addresses an unknown young man.
Setting
Temporal Setting: The poem is set in the present day relative to Shakespeare’s time, reflecting on historical and contemporary views of beauty.
Contextual Setting: The poem contrasts past poetic descriptions of beauty with the beauty of the present, implying a timeless context where beauty is continuously admired.
Theme
Fleeting Beauty: The central theme revolves around the transient nature of beauty.
Comparing Past and Present: The poem contrasts descriptions of beauty from historical records with the beauty of the present moment.
Plot
Historical Reflections: The speaker reflects on how past poets described beauty and how their praises can be seen as prophecies of the beauty in the present.
Admiration and Limitations: The poem progresses to discuss how, despite the ability to admire the present beauty, there is a lack of words to adequately praise it.
Tone
Reflective: The tone is contemplative as the speaker reflects on the nature of beauty and the limitations of poetic expression.
Awe and Admiration: There is a sense of awe and admiration for the beauty being described, combined with a recognition of the inadequacy of language to fully capture it.
Style
Iambic Pentameter: The poem adheres to the rhythmic pattern of five iambs (pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables) per line.
Elevated Language: Shakespeare employs rich, poetic language to convey the theme and emotions.
Message
Sonnet 106 celebrates the inadequacy of past descriptions of beauty compared to the present reality. The beauty of the young man surpasses anything foreseen by ancient writers, emphasizing the limitations of language in capturing worth.
William Shakespeare
1. Early Life:
Birth: Born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Parents: Son of John Shakespeare, a glove-maker and alderman, and Mary Arden, a local heiress.
Education: Likely attended the King’s New School in Stratford, receiving a classical education in Latin, grammar, and literature.
2. Family:
Marriage: Married Anne Hathaway in 1582, who was eight years his senior.
Children: Had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at the age of 11.
3. Early Career:
The “Lost Years”: Limited records exist of Shakespeare’s life between 1585 and 1592, often referred to as the “lost years.”
London: By 1592, he was established in London as an actor and playwright, gaining recognition for his work.
4. Theatrical Career:
Acting Companies: Associated with several acting companies, most notably the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which later became the King’s Men.
The Globe Theatre: Co-owner of the Globe Theatre, which opened in 1599 and became the primary venue for his plays.
Blackfriars Theatre: Also associated with the indoor Blackfriars Theatre, which the King’s Men acquired in 1608.
5. Literary Works:
Plays: Wrote approximately 39 plays across various genres, including tragedies (e.g., “Hamlet,” “Othello,” “King Lear,” “Macbeth”), comedies (e.g., “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Twelfth Night”), and histories (e.g., “Henry IV,” “Richard III”).
Poetry: Authored 154 sonnets and several narrative poems, including “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece.”
6. Writing Style:
Collaborations: Likely collaborated with other playwrights, especially later in his career, contributing to plays such as “The Two Noble Kinsmen” and “Pericles, Prince of Tyre.”
Language: Renowned for his innovative use of the English language, including inventive vocabulary and expressions.
Verse: Mastered the use of blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), enhancing the natural flow and emotional depth of his dialogue.
Themes: Explored universal themes such as love, power, jealousy, betrayal, and the human condition, making his works timeless and relevant.
7. Later Life and Death:
Retirement: Returned to Stratford-upon-Avon around 1613, where he lived a relatively quiet life.
Death: Died on April 23, 1616, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
8. Legacy:
National Poet: Shakespeare is often called England’s national poet.
The Bard of Avon: His birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, is often referred to as “the Bard of Avon”.
Language and Literature: His impact on the English language and world literature is immeasurable.
Continued Study: His works continue to be studied, reinterpreted, and performed globally.
9. Commemorations:
Folger Shakespeare Library: Home to the largest collection of Shakespearean materials and dedicated to preserving his works.
Stratford-upon-Avon: The town celebrates his legacy with landmarks such as Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
10. Controversies and Theories:
Authorship Debate: Some scholars and enthusiasts debate whether Shakespeare wrote all the works attributed to him, suggesting other authors like Christopher Marlowe, Francis Bacon, or Edward de Vere as possible candidates.
Lost Plays: Several plays attributed to Shakespeare are considered lost, such as “Love’s Labour’s Won” and “Cardenio.”
Word Meaning
| Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| Chronicle | A detailed and factual account of events over time; a historical record. | ऐतिहासिक रिकॉर्ड या घटनाओं का विस्तृत विवरण। |
| Fairest wights | The most beautiful or admirable people; “wights” is an old term for beings or individuals. | सबसे सुंदर या प्रशंसा योग्य लोग; “wights” पुराना शब्द है जो प्राणियों या व्यक्तियों के लिए प्रयोग होता है। |
| Knights | Noble warriors of the medieval period, often associated with chivalry and honor. | मध्यकालीन योद्धा, जो अक्सर शौर्य और सम्मान के साथ जुड़े होते हैं। |
| Blazon | A detailed description or depiction of heraldic symbols; in poetry, it refers to the vivid description of beauty. | वंशावली के प्रतीकों का विस्तृत वर्णन; कविता में, यह सुंदरता के जीवंत वर्णन को संदर्भित करता है। |
| Prophecies | Predictions or foretellings about the future, often made by a seer or prophet. | भविष्य के बारे में भविष्यवाणियाँ या पूर्वानुमान, अक्सर किसी भविष्यवक्ता द्वारा। |
| Prefiguring | Indicating or suggesting something that will happen in the future; forecasting. | भविष्य में होने वाली किसी चीज का संकेत देना या पूर्वानुमान लगाना। |
| Behold | To see or observe something, often with attention or admiration. | देखना या अवलोकन करना, अक्सर ध्यानपूर्वक या प्रशंसा के साथ। |
