line-by-line English explanation of Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare

 line-by-line English explanation of Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare 

1. That time of year thou mayst in me behold

→ The poet says that his beloved can see in him a time of year — that is, he compares his stage of life to a certain season.

Explanation: The speaker tells his beloved that his present age resembles a particular time of year, suggesting that he is in the late season of his life — nearing its end, just as autumn nears winter.

2. When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

→ It is a time when only a few yellow leaves remain on the trees; most have already fallen.

Explanation: This line symbolizes old age — the speaker’s youthful strength and vitality have mostly faded, just as trees lose their leaves in autumn.

3. Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

→ The bare branches shake in the cold wind.

Explanation: The speaker feels weak and fragile, like trembling branches facing the cold. It represents the weakness and loneliness of old age.

4. Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

→ The empty branches look like ruined church choirs where birds once sang sweetly.

Explanation: Earlier, his life was full of joy, song, and beauty — now it is silent and lifeless. This image powerfully suggests the loss that comes with aging.

5. In me thou see’st the twilight of such day

→ The beloved can see in him the twilight time of a day.

Explanation: His life is like evening — the day (or his youth) is ending, and darkness (or death) is near.

6. As after sunset fadeth in the west,

→ Just like the light that fades in the west after the sun sets.

Explanation: The poet’s vitality is fading away gradually, just like daylight disappearing after sunset. It suggests the nearing end of life.

7. Which by and by black night doth take away,

→ And soon the dark night takes away all remaining light.

Explanation: The “black night” symbolizes death, which soon comes after life’s light is gone.

8. Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.

→ Night is like death itself, which brings rest and sleep to everyone.

Explanation: The poet compares night to death — both bring an end to activity and life. It reflects his acceptance of mortality.

9. In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire

→ You can see in me the dim, dying glow of a fire.

Explanation: The speaker’s life is like a dying fire — once bright, now only faintly burning. His energy is fading, but not yet gone.

10. That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,

→ The fire burns on the ashes of its former self.

Explanation: His present life rests upon the ashes of his youth — the past memories and experiences that now remain as ashes.

11. As the death-bed whereon it must expire,

→ The fire lies on its own death-bed, where it will soon go out.

Explanation: This line symbolizes how life itself contains the seeds of its own end. The body that once supported youth will eventually become its death-bed.

12. Consum’d with that which it was nourish’d by.

→ It is being consumed by the very thing that once gave it life.

Explanation: Just as fire is consumed by its fuel, human life is slowly destroyed by the same time and energy that once kept it alive.

13. This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,

→ You see all this, and it makes your love even stronger.

Explanation: The beloved understands that the poet is aging and nearing death. This awareness makes her love deeper and more sincere.

14. To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

→ You love more deeply what you know you must soon lose.

Explanation: The poet concludes that love becomes stronger in the face of death. Knowing that life is short, we value love more intensely.

In Sonnet 73, Shakespeare reflects on old age and approaching death through three beautiful metaphors — autumn, twilight, and dying fire. Each image shows the gradual fading of life’s energy. In the end, he says that awareness of mortality strengthens true love, making it more precious and eternal.

Sonnet 73 (LXXIII)

By William Shakespeare

About the Poet

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. Known as the “Bard of Avon,” Shakespeare explored timeless themes of love, power, fate, and human nature. His influence on literature and the arts remains unmatched across centuries.

About the Sonnet

Sonnet 73 reflects on aging, mortality, and the passage of time. Through vivid images of autumn, twilight, and a dying fire, Shakespeare compares his aging self to the decline found in nature. The poem conveys that an awareness of life’s transience deepens love — we cherish more deeply what we know we must eventually lose.

The Poem (with Explanation and Word Notes)

Lines 1–4

> That time of year thou mayst in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

Explanation:

The speaker compares his old age to late autumn, when most leaves have already fallen and the trees stand bare against the cold wind. The bare branches resemble ruined church choirs where once birds (symbolizing youth and joy) used to sing. The imagery expresses decay, loneliness, and the approach of winter — a metaphor for death.

Word Notes:

That time of year → Metaphor for old age, like late autumn.

Behold → Observe; the poet invites the listener to notice his aging.

Yellow leaves → Symbol of life’s decline, nearing its end.

Few → Suggests nearing death, as only a few leaves remain.

Boughs → Branches of the tree; symbol of the frail human body.

Cold → Represents the harshness of aging and vulnerability.

Bare ruin’d choirs → Metaphor comparing leafless branches to empty church choirs, emphasizing loss and decay.

Sweet birds sang → Symbol of youthful joy and vitality that once existed.

Lines 5–8

> In me thou see’st the twilight of such day,

As after sunset fadeth in the west,

Which by and by black night doth take away,

Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.

Explanation:

The speaker now compares his life to twilight, the time after sunset but before total darkness. The fading light represents the approach of death, which is symbolized by “black night.” Sleep, referred to as “death’s second self,” stands for the temporary form of death that foreshadows the eternal rest to come.

Word Notes:

Twilight → Transition between life and death.

Sunset → The end of life or old age.

Fadeth → Slow decline; life slipping away.

By and by → Gradually, but inevitably.

Black night → Metaphor for death.

Death’s second self → Sleep, a small image of death.

Rest → Eternal sleep, the final peace of death.

Lines 9–12

> In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire,

That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,

As the death-bed whereon it must expire,

Consum’d with that which it was nourish’d by.

Explanation:

The speaker now compares his life to the dying embers of a fire — faintly glowing on the ashes of youth. The ashes represent the remains of his past vitality. The fire consumes itself; the very fuel that once sustained it now brings about its end — a metaphor for life ending through the same passage of time that once gave it strength.

Word Notes:

Fire → Symbol of life and passion.

Ashes of his youth → The remains of vitality and strength.

Lie → Resting upon; both living and being consumed by the past.

Death-bed → The fire’s resting place as it dies, symbolizing life’s end.

Expire → To die; also to burn out completely.

Consum’d → Destroyed or used up.

Nourish’d by → Life is destroyed by the same time and energy that once sustained it.

Lines 13–14

> This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,

To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

Explanation:

The listener perceives the poet’s aging and mortality, which makes their love even stronger. The awareness that life and love are temporary intensifies affection — we learn to love deeply what we must soon lose.

Word Notes:

Perceiv’st → You understand or realize.

Strong → Awareness of death strengthens true love.

Love that well → Love sincerely and deeply while it lasts.

Ere long → Before long; soon, implying separation by death.

Themes of the Poem

Aging and Mortality: The inevitable decline of life.

Time and Transience: Nothing lasts forever.

Love and Awareness: Real love grows stronger when faced with mortality.

Nature as a Mirror of Life: Autumn, twilight, and fire symbolize human life stages.

Structure and Style

Form: Shakespearean Sonnet (3 quatrains + 1 couplet).

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Tone: Reflective, melancholic, yet tender.

Imagery: Autumn, twilight, fire — vivid symbols of decline.