Youth: Life at Its Peak in "Sonnet 15" by William Shakespeare

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Recommended: Analysis of the sonnet 141

As each day goes by the beauty of our vibrant youth decays and diminishes. In "Sonnet 15" Shakespeare refers to youth as life at its peak, however this precious point in our life is short-lived. Shakespeare speaks of youth as a single moment of perfection. He glorifies youth and alleges to immortalize it through his poetic words. He uses metaphors, imagery, and rhyme in a way to enhance the beauty and perfection of mans youth while in its prime. Through this he demonstrate the love and richness of youth despite the tole time takes on it.

Within the first few lines of the sonnet we notice Shakespeare's use of metaphoric language. His usage of metaphors provokes another thought to the reader, rather then what's just written on the page. "That this huge stage presenteth naught but shows" (shakespeare, line 3). 'This huge stage' is referring to the world. Through this we imagine the world as a stage, and us as actors. Us as the actors all have influences on one another, and alter the way our lives are viewed, and the way we act upon given situations, even if those situations be good or bad. This world stage gives nothing but dramatic performances that are reflective upon our life. This particular metaphor is of great importance to the sonnet because it allows us to see life on somewhat of a smaller scale. Being able to see the simplicity of life, as merely one of the very small performances that make up one whole act. These performances in which we engage in daily, allow us to see ourselves within Shakespeare's famous words. According to Shakespeare the climax of our personal stage performance is when man is in their vibrant youth. This is the short moment in life he believes we should treasure and cherish before time sweeps it aw...

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...e structure of this poem is the rhyming scheme. The rhyme scheme for this particular sonnet, along with many others of Shakespeare's sonnets is abab cdcd efef gg. This is beneficial to to sonnet simply because it allows it to flow better and gives it rhythm.

To Shakespeare, youth is seen as the pinnacle of your life time. In reality this peak of youthful beauty is only a slight moment of perfection. Before you know it time swallows your youth, and things begin to change. He elaborates on the beauty and the decay of youth through style, technique and structure. Shakespeare discovers the concept of eternal beauty and youthfulness and believes one can reach an eternal life of youth through his written word.

Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 15". The Broadview Anthology of British Literture. Volume A. Petersborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2008.

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