The paper aims at examining the concept of time in some sonnets of William Shakespeare. His sonnets focus on various themes like beauty, friendship, love, procreation, nature, time and death. Moreover, the concept of time is a major theme in his sonnets. Shakespeare depicted time in his sonnets as a great force. It is not onlyan actual enemy of human being but also of nature. Shakespeare shows time as mightier and powerful. It is the time which brings decline to every beautiful creature of the world.It also brings death with the passage of time. Therefore, he depicted time as an evil force as well. Shakespeare says in sonnet 1 that the beauty of his friend will be destroyed in course of time, if he does not continue his generation. Here, time is referred to as a great destroyer. Similarly, his sonnet 18 refers to short-lived summer which is fatal for all creatures. Finally, his sonnet 19 presents time as 'devouring' and 'swift footed'. Here again, time is presented as dreadful. Thus, time is powerful of all wherein none can survive of it. It destroys every smaller and greater thing with its changing course of nature. Emily Dickinson also refers to time as an evil. According to her, time destroys the communion between man and Nature. Here, both the poet's concept of time is similar to some extent. They consider time asforceful agent of death wherein none can escape of its clutches. Thus, the present study will explore Shakespeare's concept and views of time and its relevance in today's world.
Research Scholar, P.G. Department of English and Research Centre, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya
