Life’s Brush

The theory of time and eternity in philosophy of religion holds that everything is in the constant flux and reflux of change is and not decided by human will.Death is a special manifestation of change,while eternity is an ideal and perfect realm that transcends change and death.Immortality is a special presentation of eternity.From the perspective of the above theories,this thesis interprets the themes of time and change,death,and eternity in Shakespeare’s sonnets,and justifies Shakespeare’s poetical dramatization of the above ideas.Death,or mortality is figured as an insurmountable path of life which entails a Platonic process of "practicing to die",a philosophical indifference to bodily pleasure and materially enjoyment,an endeavor to get rid of the shackles of physical body,an immunity of fear for death,and a strong attachment towards the ideal realm,thus delving into the true value of life and create a significant life.Eternity dramatized in Shakespeare’s sonnets is manifested as eternal life or immortality.Shakespeare poeticizes three characteristic ways to achieve immortality,namely,"poetry,birth,and love."Through the above series of studies,the thesis has the findings that Shakespeare poetically dramatizes his concerns over the contemporary living state of human beings and his explorations into the ultimate end-result of Man,that readers enjoy the aesthetical process,draw the moral strength,realize life wisdom from among his sonnets,and that human beings share the similar sentiment and same pursuits,thus understanding form a unique perspective that the initiative for the exchange and mutual learning among different civilizations is culturally-based.