Shakespeare's Sonnet 19

Shakespeare's Sonnet 19 In his Sonnet 19, Shakespeare presents the timeless theme of Time's mutability. As the lover apostrophizes Time, one might expect him to address 'old Time' as inconstant, for such an epithet implies time's changeability. But inconstant also suggests capricious, and the lover finds time more grave than whimsical in its alterations. With the epithet 'devouring' he addresses a greedy, ravenous hunger, a Time that is wastefully destructive. Conceding to Time its wrongs, the lover …

…imperative command, sounds more Like a plea or earnest request. The poet-lover changes his pleaful tone to one of scorn as he finally orders 'Yet do thy worst, old Time. Time is no longer devouring or swift-footed, merely old. And age as Time will, the lover realizes 'My love shall in my verse ever live young.' Shakespeare eludes swift-footed devouring Time, giving immortality to youth, beauty, and one man's love through his surviving verse