Sonnet 15 by William Shakespeare | Sonnet 15 | When I consider everything that grows | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | William Shakespeare | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sonnet 15
When I consider everything that grows
When I consider everything that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and check’d even by the selfsame sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay
To change your day of youth to sullied night;
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
Sonnet 15 by William Shakespeare: YouTube Link
Sonnet 15 by William Shakespeare Analysis
When I consider everything that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
Explanation
The speaker starts by contemplating the transient nature of life. Everything that flourishes, from plants to humans, experiences peak beauty that lasts only a fleeting instant.
Metaphor: “Everything that grows” stands for life itself, highlighting its temporary nature.
Personification: “Holds in perfection” gives human qualities to the fleeting moment of perfection.
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
Explanation
The speaker views the world as a vast stage where everything is simply a temporary performance. Even the seemingly eternal stars offer veiled observations on the passing drama of existence.
Poetic Device:
Metaphor: “This huge stage” compares the world to a temporary platform for life’s plays.
Personification: “Stars comment” imbues the stars with the ability to observe and influence human affairs.
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and check’d even by the selfsame sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Explanation
The speaker draws a parallel between humans and plants. Both thrive and wilt under the same natural forces, boasting in their youthful vitality before inevitably declining and fading from memory.
Poetic Device
Simile: “Men as plants increase” draws a parallel between the growth of humans and plants, emphasizing their shared vulnerability.
Personification: “Cheered and checked by the sky” gives human emotions to the sky, attributing its influence on life.
Metaphor: “Youthful sap” represents the vitality and potential of youth.
Metaphor: “Brave state” refers to the pride and confidence of youth, eventually fading with time.
Metonymy: “Wear their state out of memory” stands for the loss of youthful vigor and its disappearance from memory.
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay
To change your day of youth to sullied night;
Explanation
Realizing the impermanence of life, the speaker sees the young man addressed as even more precious in his youthful beauty. He imagines Time and Decay locked in a constant struggle, seeking to replace the vibrant day of youth with the shadows of age.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: “Wasteful Time” personifies time as a destructive force.
Personification: “Debateth with Decay” gives human characteristics to time and decay, depicting them as rivals.
Metaphor: “Day of youth” and “sullied night” represent the contrasting phases of youth and age.
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
Explanation
The speaker declares his unwavering love for the young man and vows to fight against the inevitable passage of time. He promises to “engrave” the young man’s beauty in his poetry, creating an eternal portrait that will defy decay.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: “War with Time” compares the speaker’s fight against time to a battle.
Personification: “As he takes from you” gives time the action of stealing the young man’s beauty.
Metaphor: “Engraft you new” refers to creating a lasting image of the young man through poetry.
