Question

Read the sonnet. Sonnet XII by William Shakespeare

When I do count the clock that tells the time, And see the brave day sunk in hideous night; When I behold the violet past prime, And sable curls all silvered o'er with white; When lofty trees I see barren of leaves Which erst from heat did canopy the herd, And summer's green all girded up in sheaves Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard, Then of thy beauty do I question make, That thou among the wastes of time must go, Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake And die as fast as they see others grow; And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence. Question 1 Part A What can be inferred about Shakespeare's "Sonnet XII"? Responses
The narrator is old and thinks he will die soon.

The narrator believes that life is beautiful.

The narrator believes that no one can avoid death.

The narrator is weary about the change in seasons.

Question 2 Part B Which line from the sonnet best supports the answer in Part A?

Responses

"And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;"

"And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence"

"And summer's green all girded up in sheaves"

"Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake"

Answer 1

Question 1 Part A: Based on the information provided in the sonnet, it can be inferred that the narrator believes that no one can avoid death.

Question 2 Part B: The line from the sonnet that best supports this answer is "And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence." This line suggests that no one can defend or escape from the passage of time and its ultimate outcome, which is death.