Question

match the bolded phrases to their meanings in the context of this excerpt from william shakespeares sonnet 2. when forty winters shall besiege thy brow, and dig deep trenches in thy beautys field, thy youths proud livery, so gazed on now, will be a tatterd weed, of small worth held: charms grooves wrinkles surround overwhelm destroyed and wasted besiege deep trenches proud livery tatterd weed

Explanation:

• "Besiege" means to surround (as in an army surrounding a place). In the context of aging (forty winters representing years), it implies surrounding (the brow - forehead) with the effects of time.
• "Deep trenches" are like grooves. In the context of beauty's field (the face), deep trenches (wrinkles) are like grooves dug into the skin.
• "Proud livery" is a charm. Youth's proud livery is what is gazed on now, representing the charm of youth.
• "Tatter'd weed" is destroyed and wasted. It shows that what was once of value (youth's appearance) becomes tattered (destroyed and wasted) over time.

Answer:

besiege → surround
deep trenches → grooves
proud livery → charms
tatter’d weed → destroyed and wasted