Chapter 10 – That time of year Sonnet 73 Solutions

Content Structure

1. About the author – William Shakespeare
2. Summary of the Sonnet 73
3. Word meanings
4. Exercises solutions
5. Additional Questions and answers
- 5A. Short questions & answers
- 5B. Long questions & answers

1. About the author – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was a famous English playwright, poet and actor who was born on 23rd April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He is known as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s best dramatist. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems. His famous plays are Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and Julius Caesar. He writes about love, power, jealousy and fate. He died on 23rd April 1616.

2. Summary of the Sonnet 73

William Shakespeare wrote this poem to express the sadness that comes with growing older. He compares himself to a tree that has lost most of its leaves in late fall, showing that his strength and youth are fading. He also compares himself to the twilight of a day, the time after sunset when darkness slowly takes over, symbolizing the nearness of death. In the final image, he likens himself to the dying coals of a fire resting on the ashes of their own past, which represents the end of life. Although these images are sad, the poet suggests that understanding them makes love even stronger, as it becomes deeper and more meaningful when we realize that time passes quickly.

3. Word meanings

Word	Meaning
Mayst	An old word for “may,” used to express possibility
Hang	Droop or dangle
Boughs	Branches
Ruined	Damaged so badly that it has lost its original form or beauty.
Seest	An old way of saying “you see.”
Thou	An old word for “you,”
Twilight	The soft, dim light in the sky just after the sun sets
Fadeth	Slowly disappears or becomes less bright
Doth	An old word for “does.”
Seals up	Closes completely
Seest	Old word for “you see”
Consumed	Completely burned or finished
Perceiv’st	Understand or notice
Nourished	Given support, food, or care to help something grow
Thy	An old word for “your,”

4. Exercises solutions

1. Discuss the various images drawn by Shakespeare in Sonnet 73… (6)
Ans: In Sonnet 73, Shakespeare uses three strong pictures to show that he is getting older and closer to death. First, he compares himself to late autumn, when only a few yellow leaves are left on the shaking branches, showing that his youth is fading. Next, he talks about twilight, the light after sunset, to show that life is ending, and then compares himself to a weak fire that is slowly turning to ashes. These pictures help us understand how time passes and life slowly comes to an end.

2. Explain how does the Sonnet form help the sonneteer to expand the theme in Sonnet 73
Ans: The sonnet style helps Shakespeare clearly express and develop the theme of growing older in a thoughtful and organized way. Sonnet 73 follows the Shakespearean sonnet style, with 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. Each quatrain introduces a different image of decline such as autumn, twilight, and a dying fire, helping to deepen the idea of growing old. The final two lines provide a twist, showing that understanding this truth makes love stronger. This form helps the poet explain his ideas clearly, ending with a strong and touching message.

5. Additional Questions and answers

5A. Short-type questions and answers

1. What do the yellow leaves stand for?
Ans: Yellow leaves show that life is growing old, just like trees in autumn. It means the end of youth and the coming of death.

2. Explain the line “Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang.”
Ans: The poet compares empty trees without birds to his old age, when his voice and energy are gone. Earlier, like birds singing, he was full of life.

3. What is called “Death’s second self” in the poem?
Ans: Sleep is called “Death’s second self.” It looks like a small or temporary death, when we rest without being awake.

4. When was Sonnet 73published, and to whom is it addressed?
Ans: It was published in 1609, along with Shakespeare’s other sonnets. The poet speaks to his friend, possibly Mr. W.H.

5. What example does the poet use in the first part of the poem to show his condition?
Ans: He compares himself to autumn trees with only a few yellow leaves left, shaking in the cold wind — just like an old man near the end of life.

6. What does the poet mean by the line “That on the ashes of his youth doth lie”?
Ans: It means the little life and energy left in him now rests on the ashes of his youth, which has already burned away like fire.

7. What is the tone of the poem?
Ans: The tone is sad but peaceful. The poet accepts that death is near, but he finds comfort in true love that survives time.

8. What is the main idea of Sonnet 73?
Ans: The poem talks about growing old and the nearness of death, showing how love becomes stronger when life begins to fade.

9. What is the meaning of “yellow leaves, or none, or few”?
Ans: It means that very few leaves are left on the trees — a sign of old age and the end of life’s energy.

10. Why does the poet use images from nature in the poem?
Ans: He uses seasons, day and night, and fire to make readers feel the changes that come with age and death in a natural way.

11. What does “ashes of his youth” mean?
Ans: It means that the poet’s youth has burned away, just like fire turns wood into ashes — leaving only memories behind.

5B. Long questions and answers

1. What feelings does the poet express towards his beloved in Sonnet 73?
Ans: In Sonnet 73, the poet expresses deep love and affection for his beloved. He speaks honestly about his own ageing and the approach of death, hoping his beloved will see these signs and love him even more. The poet believes that when we realize how short life is, our love becomes stronger and more precious. His tone towards his beloved is tender, gentle, and filled with gratitude. He is not asking for pity but for understanding and deeper connection. Through his words, we can feel both his sadness for what is passing and his joy for the love that still remains. His love is not based on youth or beauty but on truth, care, and emotional closeness.

2. What message does Shakespeare give in Sonnet 73?
Ans: In Sonnet 73, Shakespeare gives a very touching message about life and love. He says that life does not stay the same forever — it slowly fades away with age and time. Just like the seasons change, a person’s strength and beauty also change as years pass. Through the images of autumn, twilight, and a dying fire, Shakespeare shows that everything in life is temporary. But the poem does not only speak of sadness. It also teaches that when we understand how short and precious life is, our love for others becomes stronger and more meaningful. The poet accepts ageing and death as natural parts of life and reminds us that we should value every moment and every relationship before time takes them away.

3. How does the poet describe the approach of death in Sonnet 73?
Ans: In Sonnet 73, Shakespeare describes death as something natural and unavoidable. He compares death to the coming of night after day and to winter following autumn. Just as night covers the world after sunset, death comes to all living beings after the brightness of youth fades away. He also uses the image of a fire that is almost out, where only a few sparks remain among the ashes. This shows that his life is almost finished, and the energy that once made him strong is nearly gone. Shakespeare accepts death calmly, understanding that it is a natural part of life’s cycle. He does not fear it but reflects on how it makes love and life more valuable.

4. What moral lesson does Sonnet 73 teach us?
Ans: The moral lesson of Sonnet 73 is that life is short, and time waits for no one. Every person grows older, and death is something that no one can avoid. Instead of being sad or afraid, Shakespeare wants us to accept this truth calmly. He teaches that love becomes even more precious when we know that time is limited. The poem encourages people to appreciate youth while it lasts and to love others deeply because everything, including life and beauty, will one day fade away. It is a gentle reminder that the real meaning of life lies in love, care, and acceptance.

5. How does Shakespeare use nature to express the stages of life in Sonnet 73?
Ans: Shakespeare uses nature very beautifully to show how human life changes over time. He compares old age to autumn, when trees lose their leaves, showing that life is reaching its final stage. Then he uses twilight to show that the brightness of youth is gone and darkness (death) is approaching, just as night follows day. Finally, he uses the image of a dying fire, which burns brightly at first but slowly turns to ashes. These natural images help readers easily understand the journey of life from growth and strength to weakness and rest. Nature becomes a mirror of human life, reminding us that every beginning has an end.

6. How does Shakespeare use metaphors in Sonnet 73?
Ans: Shakespeare uses very powerful metaphors in Sonnet 73 to explain the process of ageing and the closeness of death. The first metaphor is “that time of year,” which compares a person’s old age to the season of autumn when trees have only a few yellow leaves left. The second metaphor is “twilight,” which shows the fading light of day, symbolizing the slow fading of life. The third metaphor is the “dying fire,” where the last glowing embers represent the little strength left in an old person. All these metaphors together create a clear picture of life moving toward its end. Shakespeare uses them not to create fear, but to show the beauty of accepting life’s natural cycle and to make his reader realize the importance of true love before it is too late.