Figures of Speech in the Poem “Sonnet 73”.

William Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) “Sonnet 73” is a poem about aging, fading life, and strong love. The poet uses many figures of speech to express his slow approach toward death. These devices make the poem emotional, rich, and easy to imagine. Here are the main figures of speech in the poem.

Metaphor: Shakespeare uses three powerful metaphors to show his old age. First, he compares himself to late autumn, when trees have “yellow leaves, or none, or few.” This shows that his youth is almost gone. Then he compares himself to the twilight that comes after sunset. He says, 

“In me thou see’st the twilight of such day.” 

Twilight fades into the night, just as his life fades into death. Last, he compares himself to a dying fire. He writes, 

“In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire.” 

The fire lies on the ashes of its own youth. This means the poet’s strength is burning out. These metaphors show the slow, natural fall of life.

Imagery: Shakespeare uses strong visual images to help the reader see aging. The most famous image is the tree branches that look like “bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.” This picture shows emptiness and loss. It makes the reader feel the silence of old age. The image of the dying fire is also very clear. The fire glowing on ashes helps the reader imagine a life slowly fading away.

Personification: Shakespeare gives human qualities to night. He calls the night, 

“Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.” 

Here, night acts like death. It closes the day just as death closes life. This personification helps the reader understand death not as a sudden fear but as a quiet ending.

These figures of speech make “Sonnet 73” moving and memorable. Through metaphors, imagery, and personification, Shakespeare shows the truth of aging and the power of love that grows even stronger in the face of loss.