As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west, Which by and by black night doth take away Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. -Sonnet 73
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on aging and the inevitable approach of death, likening it to the twilight that follows sunset.
In this quote from Sonnet 73, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of twilight to explore the themes of aging, death, and the passage of time. He illustrates the gradual fading of life, much like the day transitions into night, highlighting the inevitability of death which brings rest after life's struggles. The imagery evokes a sense of melancholy but also acceptance, as it acknowledges the beauty and fleeting nature of existence.
Themes
AgingDeathTwilightLifeNature
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on Shakespeare, I might use this quote to discuss themes of mortality in literature.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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