Shakespeare's "Sonnet 55" expresses the importance of memories. When we think of memories we don't picture something physical in front of us; we see a thought passing through our mind. By comparing memories to seemingly unbreakable things, Shakespeare forces the reader to recognize their longevity. The poet first compares human memories to simple physical objects and then compares them to spiritual things.
             The sonnet begins by comparing tough, sturdy objects to poetry. Even though gold plated monuments and marble are extremely long lasting things, time will eventually "besmear" them. Does time, however, cause this poem to become any less "shiny"? Time can only affect something physical and it therefor cannot destroy this poem. Time is one of many things that can wear down physical things, but cannot touch a memory.
             In the next section the sonnet names another destructive force to further show the power of memory preserved in poetry. We are shown how war can uproot statues and overturn masonry, and how it is driven by the power of Mars, the Roman god of war, and his "fiery" destruction. Though war is powerful and can demolish almost anything, it too cannot touch "the living record of one's memory." This comparison of the power of a god to memory is an important step that leads up to the sonnet's final comparison.
             The poet ends by saying that even after one's death one's memory and "praise" shall survive. Death is considered the ultimate end of everything within one's being. Nothing survives death. However, even though the physical being of a person may die, the memory remains to be reborn by one's "judgement" in heaven. Memories, in effect, outlive death, which is the very essence of something coming to its end.
             With this poem, Shakespeare is able to broaden the reader's idea of what a memory is and how ...