"And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature's changing course untrimm'd" is a famous couplet from William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18" expressing the universal truth of mutability and decay.
Context and Source of the Lines
These two lines have been taken from "Sonnet-XVIII", composed by William Shakespeare, an Elizabethan poet and dramatist. Here is a direct reference to the law of mutability.
In other words, here the speaker of the poem reminds readers of a universal truth: all beautiful things of this world are subject to destruction, either by accident or by the law of nature. Exploring poetic treatments of youth and mortality can also be seen in elegiac reflections such as Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth A Youth, to Fortune and to Fame unknown.
Detailed Critical Analysis of the Second Quatrain
These lines occur at the end of the second quatrain of the poem. The speaker, in a move to prove that his friend's beauty is more temperate than a summer's day, makes this general statement about the mutability of this world.
Summer has lots of negative qualities pointed out by the speaker:
- The temperature changes frequently.
- Its duration is short.
- Its winds destroy blooming roses.
The speaker is of the view that not only summer but also all beautiful things in nature are subject to change. It is because the law of nature causes change in all things.
Literary Devices and Figurative Meaning
These lines add universality to the poem by referring directly to the law of nature. Here the word "fair" functions as a synecdoche. By using an adjective, the poet has meant the thing itself. This specific figure of speech has added charm and felicity to the poem.
| Poetic Element | Shakespeare's Application |
|---|---|
| Source Text | "Sonnet-XVIII" by William Shakespeare |
| Structural Placement | End of the second quatrain |
| Core Theme | The law of mutability and natural decay vs. immortality in verse |
| Figure of Speech | Synecdoche (using "fair" to denote beautiful entities) |
Key Takeaways
- The excerpt comes from the second quatrain of William Shakespeare's "Sonnet-XVIII".
- It highlights the universal truth that earthly beauty is temporary and subject to destruction by accident or natural law.
- Unlike summer and transient earthly things, the youth's beauty is immortalised forever in Shakespeare's verse.
- The repeated adjective "fair" serves as a synecdoche to represent beautiful objects and beings.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of these lines by sharing your answers below:
- Which figure of speech is demonstrated by the poet's use of the adjective "fair" to signify beautiful things?
- According to the speaker, what two factors cause beauty to decline?
Leave your answers in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the lines "And every fair from fair sometime declines" appear?
These lines occur at the end of the second quatrain of "Sonnet-XVIII", written by the Elizabethan poet and dramatist William Shakespeare.
What does "nature's changing course untrimm'd" mean in this context?
It refers to the universal law of nature and mutability, explaining that all worldly things change, decay, or lose their beauty over time due to natural cycles or accidental misfortune.
Why does Shakespeare contrast the youth's beauty with these lines?
The speaker contrasts the temporary nature of earthly beauty with his friend's enduring grace, asserting that the youth's beauty will not fade because it has been immortalised through the poem's verse lines.