The purpose of the article is the meaning and functioning of the clock (as an object), as a metaphorical or other structural element in the texts of William Shakespeare (for example, the Sonnets, tragedies, historical dramas), the transformation of the view of time realized in Shakespeare's work, which varies not so much depending on the historical context (or episteme, as is commonly believed), but depends on the period of the writer's work. The novelty of the work is determined by considering the “clock” not only as a structural element that implements the “space-time” motif, but also by studying the scientific and technical component necessary to determine a more complete picture of the meaning of this element in the text. The relevance of the research is determined by the importance of studying the problem of time reception, which is typical for analyzing not only Shakespeare's texts, but also modern literature.