Although the line is often cited as an example of personification, that is actually an impossibility. The reference to "death" is noting an action of the living, and since "death" is the ceasing of living action, the appropriate figure of speech is antithesis. It is the opposing contrast that makes it such a powerful statement.
Allusion and allegory can also be cited as figures of speech within this sonnet.
There are arguments that Shakespeare was a Catholic, so many people cite this line as an allusion to the biblical passage regarding "the valley of death". This is not, however, very likely since Shakespeare was a Master Freemason and because the moods of this sonnet and the biblical passage differ - the first being about love and the second about not fearing death because a 'greater' power will care for you.
If one interprets this sonnet as being about the 'beauty' inherent in real love, then it can also be cited as using allegorical reference. Www.m-w.com defines this figure of speech, in part, as "actions of truths or generalizations about human existence". The wearing away of youthful beauty does not cause real love to fade.
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