This beguiling Sonnet is a contemplation of life in its most recondite
state. Undoubtedly, its most bemusing characteristic is that there is no
explicit encouragement to procreate from the persona. A change of strategy
perhaps to aid in trying to coax the Fair Youth into bearing offspring.
Line 1 reflects an extensive rumination on the concept of life and
growth. It is also the beginning of the comparison between the Youth and all
else that stake a claim to life. It is as if Shakespeare laments the temporary
nature of perfection, "... in perfection but a little moment," and he
does so with good reason as it becomes apparent that like all else, the current
state of the Fair Youth will inevitably depreciate. Just as in 'AS YOU LIKE IT'
Act 2 Scene 7, Shakespeare likens the world to a stage in Line 3 not as a way
to debase the roles of all and sundry but rather to allude to the irrevocable
importance of the Fair Youth sticking to his script (procreating) as failure to
deliver would mar the whole performance ( world as prescribed by the prevailing
metaphor).
In true stage fashion, there is a director(the stars) orchestrating every
movement. However, it seems a tad bizarre that Shakespeare should acknowledge
the existence and power of 'fate' or at least some pre-determining force given
the seemingly heated criticism of such in Sonnet 14. He might be going so far
as to allude to the existence of a 'God' from line 6, "cheered and checked
ev'n by the self-same sky" apparently therein the heavens lies a power as
is common belief among all religious congregations.
Just as perfection appears, the wears of life pervade its actuality
casting the reader back to line 2. The beauty in its abundance is spent
gradually, "... wear their brave state out of memory," to fade away
into oblivion if an heir is not to be found. The stakes get even higher against
the Fair Youth as it isn't just time lying in wait but also 'decay' in its
boldest form. Though fairly common in Shakespeare's writing, the image of day
to sunset further augments the concept of the receding of Youth into nihility.
The final couplet is probably the most significant of any other thusfar
as Shakespeare instigates a totally new view to the Sonnets. Instead of them
just being pleas for procreation, the persona is using the Sonnets to
perpetuate in print the allure of the Fair Youth. Was this procreation all just
a plea for the Fair Youth to be a willing part of these writings or they were
to write too or the Sonnets are in fact the procreation?
We are all left to wonder.