Sonnet 106: When In The Chronicle Of Wasted Time
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 looked 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.
Line 1:
“When in the chronicle of wasted time”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Chronicle: A historical record or account.
- Wasted time: The past, often seen as lost or gone.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The sonnet opens with the poet reflecting on historical records of the past, which he refers to as “wasted time.” This suggests a sense of nostalgia and reverence for earlier eras, where beauty and virtue were celebrated in poetry and literature.
The line sets the tone for the sonnet, which explores the idea that the beauty of the past pales in comparison to the beloved’s present beauty. The poet’s reflection on history serves as a backdrop for his admiration of the beloved.
Line 2:
“I see descriptions of the fairest wights,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Fairest: Most beautiful.
- Wights: People or beings (archaic term).
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet describes reading about the “fairest wights,” or most beautiful people, in historical records. This suggests that the past was filled with individuals celebrated for their beauty and virtue, whose qualities were immortalized in poetry.
The line reflects the poet’s fascination with the past and his belief that beauty has always been a subject of admiration and artistic expression.
Line 3:
“And beauty making beautiful old rhyme,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Old rhyme: Ancient poetry or verse.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet observes that beauty has inspired beautiful poetry throughout history. This suggests that the admiration of beauty is a timeless theme, connecting the past and the present.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the enduring power of beauty to inspire art and creativity, even across different eras.
Line 4:
“In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Ladies dead: Women of the past who are no longer alive.
- Lovely knights: Handsome and noble warriors.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet describes how historical poetry praised the beauty of women and knights from the past. This suggests that the admiration of beauty is not limited to the present but has been a recurring theme throughout history.
The line reinforces the idea that beauty transcends time, connecting the past and the present through art and literature.
Line 5:
“Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty’s best,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Blazon: A detailed description or celebration.
- Sweet beauty’s best: The finest examples of beauty.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet focuses on the most celebrated examples of beauty in historical records, suggesting that even the finest descriptions of beauty from the past fall short of capturing the beloved’s present beauty.
The line reflects the poet’s belief that the beloved’s beauty surpasses even the most admired examples from history.
Line 6:
“Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Brow: Forehead.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet lists specific features—hands, feet, lips, eyes, and brow—that were often praised in historical descriptions of beauty. This suggests that the beloved’s beauty is not just general but encompasses every detail, making them truly exceptional.
The line reflects the poet’s attention to detail and his belief that the beloved’s beauty is unparalleled in every aspect.
Line 7:
“I see their antique pen would have express’d”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Antique pen: The writing or poetry of the past.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet imagines that the writers of the past would have tried to describe a beauty like the beloved’s, but their efforts would have fallen short. This suggests that the beloved’s beauty is beyond the reach of even the most skilled poets from history.
The line reflects the poet’s admiration for the beloved and his belief in their exceptional nature.
Line 8:
“Even such a beauty as you master now.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Master: Possess or embody.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that the beloved’s beauty is so extraordinary that it surpasses anything described in historical records. This suggests that the beloved is unique and unparalleled, embodying a beauty that transcends time.
The line reinforces the poet’s belief in the beloved’s exceptional nature and his admiration for their beauty.
Line 9:
“So all their praises are but prophecies”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Prophecies: Predictions or foreshadowings.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet suggests that the praises of beauty in historical records were merely prophecies of the beloved’s present beauty. This implies that the beauty of the past was a prelude to the beloved’s perfection.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the beloved’s unique and transcendent beauty, which fulfills the promises of the past.
Line 10:
“Of this our time, all you prefiguring;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Prefiguring: Foreshadowing or anticipating.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet declares that the beauty of the past anticipated the beloved’s present beauty, suggesting that the beloved is the culmination of all historical ideals of beauty.
The line reinforces the poet’s admiration for the beloved and his belief in their exceptional nature.
Line 11:
“And for they looked but with divining eyes,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Divining eyes: Eyes that foresee or predict.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet suggests that the writers of the past could only glimpse the beloved’s beauty in their imaginations, as they lacked the ability to fully capture it. This reflects the poet’s belief that the beloved’s beauty is beyond the reach of even the most skilled poets.
The line underscores the poet’s admiration for the beloved and his recognition of their unique and transcendent beauty.
Line 12:
“They had not skill enough your worth to sing:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Worth: Value or excellence.
- Sing: To celebrate in poetry or song.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet concludes that the writers of the past lacked the skill to fully celebrate the beloved’s worth. This suggests that the beloved’s beauty and virtue are so extraordinary that they defy description.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the beloved’s exceptional nature and his admiration for their beauty.
Line 13:
“For we, which now behold these present days,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Behold: See or observe.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The poet shifts to the present, declaring that those who live in the current era have the privilege of witnessing the beloved’s beauty. This suggests that the beloved’s beauty is a gift to the present generation.
The line reflects the poet’s belief in the beloved’s unique and transcendent beauty, which is a source of wonder and admiration.
Line 14:
“Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Wonder: To marvel or be amazed.
- Tongues: The ability to speak or express.
In-Depth Explanation of Text and Context:
The sonnet concludes with the poet acknowledging that while people in the present can see and marvel at the beloved’s beauty, they lack the ability to fully praise it. This suggests that the beloved’s beauty is so extraordinary that it defies description.
The line reflects the poet’s humility and his recognition of the limitations of language in capturing the beloved’s beauty.
Summary of the Sonnet:
Sonnet 106 explores the idea that the beauty of the past pales in comparison to the beloved’s present beauty. The poet reflects on historical records and poetry that celebrated beauty, suggesting that they were merely prophecies of the beloved’s perfection. He declares that the beloved’s beauty is unique and transcendent, surpassing even the most admired examples from history. The sonnet reflects Shakespeare’s belief in the enduring power of beauty and the limitations of language in capturing its full essence. The poet’s admiration for the beloved is rooted in their exceptional nature, which defies description and inspires wonder in all who behold it.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 106
Summary
In Sonnet 106, Shakespeare reflects on historical depictions of beauty and argues that past poets unknowingly wrote prophecies about the Fair Youth. He suggests that all the beauty described in old poems was merely a foreshadowing of the youth’s perfection. However, despite living in the present, even modern poets (including himself) lack the words to fully capture his beauty.
- The first quatrain sets up the contrast between past and present:
- The poet looks at historical records (“chronicles of wasted time”).
- He notices how poets of old described beautiful men and women.
- The second quatrain makes a striking claim:
- These poets were not describing the past, but unknowingly predicting the Fair Youth.
- The idealized beauty they wrote about is now fully realized in the youth.
- The third quatrain expands on this idea:
- The past poets had only a limited, prophetic vision of what true beauty would be.
- They lacked the full understanding to capture the youth’s real magnificence.
- The final couplet presents an ironic paradox:
- The poet and his contemporaries can see the youth’s beauty clearly, yet even they lack the ability to praise him adequately.
Critical Analysis
1. The “Chronicle of Wasted Time”
- The phrase “wasted time” could imply:
- A nostalgic look at the past, recognizing that everything written before has been surpassed by the present.
- A critique of historical poetry, as though it was “wasted” on subjects less worthy than the Fair Youth.
- The transient nature of time, where past beauty fades and only echoes remain.
- Shakespeare suggests that past poets were unknowingly writing about the youth, making history itself a prophecy.
2. Beauty as an Everlasting Ideal
- The poem implies that true beauty has always existed, but was only fully realized in the Fair Youth.
- Shakespeare elevates the youth’s beauty to a universal, almost divine standard, making past descriptions mere approximations.
3. The Paradox of Praise
- The final couplet presents a contradiction:
- While past poets lacked the full picture, they at least attempted to describe beauty.
- Present poets see true beauty firsthand, yet they are speechless in trying to capture it.
- This suggests a larger idea: some things are too perfect for words.
Theme Analysis
1. The Inadequacy of Language
- The sonnet suggests that poetry, no matter how skilled, falls short of describing true beauty.
- Even with modern perspectives and poetic advancements, the Fair Youth transcends words.
2. Beauty as Prophecy
- Shakespeare implies that all historical ideals of beauty were leading up to the youth.
- This gives beauty a sense of destiny, as though it was always meant to reach its peak in the youth.
3. The Passage of Time
- The contrast between past and present reflects Shakespeare’s recurring theme of time’s effects on beauty.
- However, in this case, beauty is not fading but culminating in the Fair Youth.
Literary Devices
1. Allusion to Chivalric Literature
- “In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights” references medieval romances that celebrated idealized beauty and courtly love.
- Shakespeare positions the Fair Youth as surpassing even these legendary figures.
2. Imagery & “Blazon”
- The blazon (a poetic catalog of physical traits) is used to list features:
- “Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow” → This echoes the traditional structure of love poetry.
- However, rather than writing a new blazon, Shakespeare states that old poets already described the youth unknowingly.
3. Prophetic Language
- Words like “prophecies”, “divining eyes”, and “prefiguring” evoke a sense of mysticism and fate.
- This makes the Fair Youth seem like the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy.
4. Irony in the Final Couplet
- Shakespeare flips the reader’s expectation:
- One might expect modern poets to do a better job than their predecessors.
- Instead, even with direct experience of beauty, they fail to express it.
- This irony reinforces the idea that some beauty is beyond human articulation.
Conclusion
Sonnet 106 is a meditation on time, prophecy, and the limits of poetry. Shakespeare suggests that all historical descriptions of beauty were mere glimpses of the Fair Youth, positioning him as the culmination of an eternal ideal. However, in a paradoxical twist, even modern poets fail to capture his full magnificence. The sonnet ultimately celebrates the ineffable power of beauty, suggesting that some things can only be admired, not fully described.
