Written Analysis of Shakespeare, Sonnet Xii

Introduction to Literature I

SS 2004 Department of English GRAZ

VAss. Mag. Dr Lцschnigg Maria.

Written analysis of

Shakespeare, Sonnet XII

Florian LASSNIG

9913287, Stdkz: 192-482/456/344

florian.lassnig@stud.uni-graz.at

handed in: June, 21st 2004

Contents

1.) Introduction 3

2.) Body 4

2.1) subject matter 4

2.1.a) communicative situation 4

2.1.b) general topic 5

2.1.c) detailed

textual analysis 5

2.2) basic form 6

2.2.a) structure 6

2.2.b) measure and rhythm 6

2.2.c) rhyme and tone 6

2.2.d) semantic deviation 6

2.2.e) syntactic level 6

3.) Conclusion 6

4.) Bibliography 6

Sonett XII

Zдhl' ich die Glocke, die die Stunde kьndet,

Seh ich den Tag vergehn in dьstrer Nacht,

Das Veilchen, das nach kurzer Blьte schwindet,

Und silberweiЯ der Locken dunkle Pracht;

Seh ich entlaubt die stolzen Bдume ragen,

Die Schatten liehn der Herde vor der Glut,

Des Sommers Grьn in Garben fortgetragen,

Das auf dem Sarg mit weiЯem Barte ruht;

Dann muЯ ich wohl um deine Schцnheit trauern,

DaЯ sie dem Fluch der Zeiten nicht entgeht,

Denn Schцnstes kann sich selbst nicht ьberdauern,

Es welkt dahin, wie anderes entstellt;

Nichts kann es vor der Zeiten Sense wahren

Als Aussaat, die dem Tode trotzt und Jahren. When I do count the clock that tells the time,

And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;

When I behold the violet past prime,

And sable curls all silver'd o'er with white;

When lofty trees I see barren of leaves

Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,

And summer's green all girded up in sheaves

Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,

Then of thy beauty do I question make,

That thou among the wastes of time must go,

Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake

And die as fast as they see others grow;

And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence

Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.

(Source: Die Sonetten des William Shakespeare », http://www.william-shakespeare.de/sonet/12.htm, [06.06.04])

Here you can listen to a spoken version of this poem!

1.) Introduction

This paper mainly deals with the analysis of Shakespear’s sonnet XII, its interpretation and significance. I will try to give the reader a brief understanding of the most striking characteristics of the sonnet. Furthermore, I am going to concentrate not only on linguistic features but I will also exemplify the interaction between form and content in various parts of Shakespear’s piece of art.

Shakespear’s sonnets are among the