shakespeare sonnet 60 analysis

Shakespeare Sonnet 60

Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;

Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.

Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked elipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.

Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.


Paraphrase:

First quatrain: As the waves break to the shore so do our time on earth come closer to the end. This means that the waves come fast to the shore and life is short so you must enjoy it.

Second quatrain: Not to sure what it is saying but I think like how you make things in the sand but the waves come and wash it away and just like your life once you are washed away people forget about you.

Third quatrain: when you are born you get all the attention, when you start getting older you get more power, the bad side of you comes out and fights because you have to prove yourself. I don’t really understand this part to much but I think it is saying that you don’t get as much attention when you are older but the true side of you comes out.

Fourth quatrain: As your body grows older and your looks go away, that is when your real side comes out the part of you that makes you special, and that death can take you at anytime even though life is so great you can die at any moment.