In line 11 of Sonnet 18, William Shakespeare personifies death by suggesting that it can be challenged or defied. He writes, ‘Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade.’ This personification implies that Death is like a figure who boasts about his power over humans. By claiming that death won’t have the ability to claim the beloved’s beauty, the speaker conveys a sense of defiance against mortality.
The use of the word ‘brag’ suggests a confrontational relationship between the speaker and death, as if death is an adversary trying to assert dominance. However, through this line, the speaker firmly declares that his beloved’s beauty will not fade away even in death, thus reinforcing the theme of immortality found throughout the sonnet.
Overall, the personification of death in this line serves to highlight the poem’s exploration of beauty, time, and the enduring power of love, offering readers a deeper understanding of how art can transcend mortality.