Just as the ones before it, this Sonnet is part of the procreation
sequence directed at a younger man whom Shakespeare was supposedly in 'love'
with. Effective comprehension of the themes established in this poem is
entwined with an understanding of the ones before this one as line 7, "If
all were minded so, the time should cease," a line which hinges on the
belief that the reader already knows how the Fair Youth is 'minded'(his view on
procreation) and thus the tactfulness and intensity of this episode of
persuasion should not be a surprise.
Line 1 plunges straight into lamentation of time's ravages on the Fair
Youth. The beauty is sure to 'wane'(diminish) and it will happen with
considerable speed, a sombering thought for any who might want to witness such
elegance in the future. However, hope exists also in that first line as the
persona asserts that just as rapid as beauty is taken, it is given and it grows
within the Fair Youth's heir. Naught is to be lost if only the Fair Youth were
to bear offspring and so continues this raging plea.
Much like an investment, bearing offspring in fruitful youth, "And
that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow'st," will prove worthwhile in
old age, "Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest," the
thought of having an image of an illustrious past readily available to admire
and reminisce upon every now and again appears to not be enough for the Fair
Youth. He would rather avoid and such nostalgia for reasons that interestingly
up to this point have not even been hinted at.
Shakespeare then makes an attempt to appeal to the subject's pride via a
thinly veiled attack on the the Fair Youth's intellect by averring that the
'wise' choice is to have a child. Interlaced with this attack is a beseechment to
all that one may value, "beauty and increase." Surely, the Fair Youth
should succumb to the basest of desires ( adoration and perpetual profiting,
riches probably). If not for that, then the fear of "age and cold
decay" should reign supreme and force the Fair Youth even against his will
to brook the 'burden' of having children.
Lines 7-9 reveal somewhat beguiling facets of the poet's nature. Whilst
he seeming cares for the perpetual
existence of mankind, he seems rather ruthless when it comes to characters he
considers for whatever reason not worth it, " featureless and rude."
Such an attitude serves to cast a dark light on Elizabethan times as ones looks
and etiquette avowedly defined whether their existence was worthwhile.
The final couplet entails a metaphor that elevates the Fair Youth to the
level of second to Nature itself as he is considered the 'seal' from which all
else good will be imitated. No creature as beautiful will be created henceforth
and yet the Fair Youth sees fit to rob
the world of that one copy of perfection.