Subjects /English Literature /Assignments /

AP Success - AP English Literature: Sonnet 106

When in the chronicle of wasted time

I see descriptions of the fairest wights,

And beauty making beautiful old rhyme

In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,

Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best,

Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,

I see their antique pen would have express'd

Even such a beauty as you master now.

So all their praises are but prophecies

Of this our time, all you prefiguring;

And, for they look'd but with divining eyes,

They had not skill enough your worth to sing:

For we, which now behold these present days,

Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.

Source 1: Sonnet 106: When in the chronicle of wasted time, by William Shakespeare

The phrase "chronicle of wasted time" (line 1) most likely refers to:

Historical records that the speaker believes are irrelevant to the present
An archive of obsolete traditions
A record of historical events perceived as unfruitful
A diary documenting personal failures
A journal kept during unproductive periods

In lines 2-4, the speaker describes seeing "descriptions of the fairest wights" and "beauty making beautiful old rhyme." This suggests that the speaker is:

Imagining a more beautiful era
Critiquing the style of old poetry
Reading about historical figures
Reflecting on the nature of beauty in literature
Recalling his own past experiences

The phrase "Even such a beauty as you master now" (line 8) implies that the speaker:

Thinks that beauty is a skill to be mastered
Is comparing the addressee to historical figures
Believes the addressee possesses unparalleled beauty
Feels the addressee's beauty is temporary
Is envious of the addressee's appearance

So all their praises are but prophecies (line 9) suggests that the speaker views the past descriptions as:

Overly flattering and unrealistic
Insights into future trends in beauty
Meaningless flattery without substance
Accurate predictions of the addressee's qualities
Misguided attempts to predict the future

In lines 10-12, the notion that those in the past "look'd but with divining eyes" and "had not skill enough your worth to sing" implies that the speaker believes:

The past poets lacked the necessary skills to truly appreciate beauty
The addressee has qualities that transcend time
The past poets were not as visionary as once thought
The addressee's qualities are beyond the comprehension of past poets
Divination was a common practice among poets

The speaker's attitude toward the past poets and their work, as described in lines 13-14, can best be described as:

Indifference to their contributions
Admiration for their foresight
Respect for their artistic expressions
Skepticism about their significance
Criticism of their limited perspective

In the context of the poem, the word "blazon" (line 5) most likely means:

A coat of arms
A proclamation
A loud declaration
An artistic depiction
A detailed description

The reference to "ladies dead and lovely knights" (line 4) primarily serves to:

Critique the societal norms of chivalry
Highlight the speaker's interest in medieval literature
Contrast past and present ideals of beauty
Emphasize the transient nature of beauty
Illustrate the timelessness of certain archetypes

The mention of "hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow" (line 6) suggests that the speaker is:

Illustrating the completeness of the addressee's beauty
Emphasizing the superficial nature of physical beauty
Comparing the addressee to a work of art
Listing the physical attributes admired in the past
Enumerating the qualities that define beauty

The overall tone of the poem can best be described as:

Critical and analytical
Nostalgic and wistful
Admiring and reverential
Hopeful and optimistic
Sardonic and dismissive

Teach with AI superpowers

Why teachers love Class Companion

Import assignments to get started in no time.

Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.

Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.

Other English Literature Assignments