# Sonnet CVIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The poet reflects on the unchanging nature of his love, asserting that even as time passes and outward appearances age, his devotion remains as fresh and eternal as when it first began.

## Themes in this chapter

### Time and Mortality

The poem contrasts the 'dust and injury of age' with the eternal nature of love, which disregards time's effects.

### Love and Desire

The poet's love is described as eternal and unchanging, renewed daily like prayers.

## Character check-ins

### Youth

The 'sweet boy' addressed as the beloved, whose merit and name are eternally hallowed.

### William Shakespeare

The poet who expresses his unchanging love and devotion through verse.

## Key lines

> What’s in the brain that ink may character Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit?

What new thought can I write down that hasn't already expressed my true feelings for you?

_The poet questions the need for new expressions when his love has already been fully conveyed._

> Counting no old thing old, thou mine, I thine, Even as when first I hallow’d thy fair name.

I consider nothing outdated, as you are mine and I am yours, just as when I first honored your beautiful name.

_The poet emphasizes the timelessness of their bond, unchanged since its beginning._

> So that eternal love in love’s fresh case Weighs not the dust and injury of age, Nor gives to necessary wrinkles place, But makes antiquity for aye his page.

Thus eternal love, renewed in a fresh form, ignores the decay and damage of aging, refuses to acknowledge inevitable wrinkles, and instead makes old age its servant forever.

_Love is portrayed as ageless, overcoming physical deterioration by treating time as its subject._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/cviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters