# Sonnet CXXIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The speaker defiantly addresses Time, asserting that he does not change despite Time's new constructions and records. He argues that what appears novel is merely a re-dressing of the past, and he vows to remain true in defiance of Time's power.

## Themes in this chapter

### Time and Mortality

The central theme: the speaker challenges Time's power to change him, asserting constancy against decay.

### Truth and Deception

The speaker accuses Time's records and present sights of lying, emphasizing a deeper truth beyond temporal appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Time

Addressed directly as an adversary; the speaker defies Time's boast and scythe.

## Key lines

> No, Time, thou shalt not boast that I do change: Thy pyramids built up with newer might To me are nothing novel, nothing strange; They are but dressings of a former sight.

Time, you cannot claim that I change: your grand new monuments are not new or strange to me; they are just old things in new clothes.

_The speaker denies being altered by Time's novelties, seeing them as recycled past._

> This I do vow and this shall ever be; I will be true, despite thy scythe and thee.

I make this vow forever: I will remain faithful, regardless of your destructive power, Time.

_A final declaration of constancy in the face of Time's inevitable destruction._

## Links

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