“Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare: Analysis

1. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
2. Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
3. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
4. And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
5. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
6. And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
7. And every fair from fair sometime declines,
8. By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;
9. But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
10. Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
11. Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
12. When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:
13. So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
14. So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Introduction: “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

“Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare, since its publication in 1609, has become a textbook poetic piece on account of its theme and subject matter. The sonnet is also part of a collection of 154 sonnets published by Thomas Thorpe under the title, Shake-Speares Sonnets, in a quarto edition. While the exact circumstances of the publication are unknown, it is believed that the sonnets were written over a period of several years and circulated among Shakespeare’s close friends and associates. “Sonnet 18” has become particularly famous for its opening lines “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”

Annotations of “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

Verse	Annotation
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?	The speaker wonders if he should compare the person he is addressing to a summer’s day.
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:	The speaker decides that the person is more lovely and has a more moderate temperament than a summer’s day.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,	The winds in May can be harsh and rough, which can damage the delicate buds of flowers.
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;	The lease of summer is too short, meaning that it doesn’t last long enough.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,	Sometimes, the sun shines too hot, which can be uncomfortable.
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;	Other times, the sun is covered by clouds, and its brightness is dimmed.
And every fair from fair sometime declines,	Everything beautiful eventually loses its beauty, either by chance or by the natural course of things.
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;	However, the person being addressed will not lose their beauty, either by chance or by nature’s changing course.
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,	The person’s beauty will not fade, unlike the fleeting beauty of a summer’s day.
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;	The person will always possess their beauty.
Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,	Death will not be able to claim the person, and they will not be forgotten in death.
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:	The person’s beauty will be immortalized in eternal lines of poetry.
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,	As long as people are alive and can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.	this poem will live on and continue to give life to the person’s beauty.

Literary Devices in “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

Literary Device	Verse	Meanings and Functions
Simile	Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?	The speaker asks if he should compare the beloved to a summer’s day, using a simile to make a comparison between two things using “like” or “as.”
Metaphor	Thou art more lovely and more temperate:	The speaker then states that the beloved is “more lovely and more temperate,” using a metaphor to directly equate the beloved with the qualities of a perfect summer day.
Personification	Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,	The winds are personified as “rough” and capable of shaking the “darling buds of May.” This literary device gives human qualities to non-human entities, allowing the reader to connect more closely with the natural world.
Metaphor	And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;	The speaker compares summer’s lease, or its duration, to something that is too short. This metaphor emphasizes the fleeting nature of summer and the impermanence of its beauty.
Personification	Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,	The “eye of heaven,” or the sun, is personified as having the power to be “too hot.” This emphasizes the idea that nature can be unpredictable and uncontrollable, and that perfection is rare and fleeting.
Personification	And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;	The “gold complexion” of the sun is personified as being “dimm’d.” This reinforces the idea that nature is subject to change and imperfection.
Oxymoron	And every fair from fair sometime declines,	The speaker uses an oxymoron to describe the decline of beauty, saying that “every fair from fair sometimes declines.” The use of two opposing words together emphasizes the paradoxical nature of beauty and its inevitable decline.
Metaphor	By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;	The speaker uses a metaphor to describe the natural course of events, comparing it to an untrimmed path or garden. This reinforces the idea that change and imperfection are an inherent part of the natural world.
Metaphor	But thy eternal summer shall not fade,	The speaker uses a metaphor to describe the beloved’s beauty as an “eternal summer,” emphasizing its timeless and unchanging nature.
Personification	Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;	The beloved’s beauty is personified as something that can be possessed, emphasizing its value and rarity.
Personification	Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,	Death is personified as a braggart who cannot claim the beloved’s beauty, emphasizing the speaker’s belief in the timeless nature of the beloved’s beauty.
Metaphor	When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:	The speaker uses a metaphor to describe the power of poetry to preserve the beloved’s beauty for all time, likening it to “eternal lines.”
Hyperbole	So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,	The speaker employs hyperbole to emphasize the lasting nature of the beloved’s beauty, stating that it will endure “so long as men can breathe or eyes can see.”

Sound and Poetic Devices in Sonnet 18″ by William Shakespeare

Devices	Examples/Reference	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	“rough winds do shake the darling buds of May” (line 3)	Emphasizes the harshness of the weather and its effects on the natural world. Creates a musical effect that draws the reader’s attention to the words being repeated.
Assonance	“more lovely and more temperate” (line 2)	The repetition of vowel sounds creates a harmonious effect that emphasizes the speaker’s admiration for the subject of the poem. Helps to create a smooth, flowing rhythm in the poem.
Consonance	“summer’s lease hath all too short a date” (line 4)	The repetition of consonant sounds creates a musical effect and emphasizes the speaker’s sense of loss at the passing of summer.
End Rhyme	“temperate/date” (lines 2-4), “dimmed/trimmed” (lines 6-8), “fade/ow’st/shade/grow’st” (lines 9-12), “see/thee” (lines 13-14)	Helps to create a sense of closure and musicality to the poem.
Rhyme Scheme	ABAB CDCD EFEF GG	Creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. Helps to reinforce the idea of the speaker’s admiration for the subject.
Diction	“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” (line 1)	The choice of words helps to create a sense of comparison between the subject of the poem and a summer’s day. The use of “thee” instead of “you” reinforces the speaker’s affection for the subject.
Verse Type	Sonnet	A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Often used to express themes of love and beauty.
Stanza Type	Quatrain and Couplet	The poem is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The quatrains develop the theme of the poem, while the couplet provides a conclusion or resolution.
Poem Type	Shakespearean Sonnet	A sonnet that follows a specific rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) and meter (iambic pentameter). Often used to express themes of love and beauty.
Tone	Admiration and Immortality	The speaker admires the subject of the poem and compares them favorably to a summer’s day. The poem also suggests that the subject’s beauty will be immortalized through the poem itself.

Functions of Literary Devices in “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

1. Metaphor: The first line of the sonnet (Verse 1) introduces a metaphor in which the speaker questions whether he should compare his beloved to a summer’s day. This metaphor serves to illustrate the beauty and perfection of the beloved in comparison to the transient and changeable nature of a season.
2. Hyperbole: The second line of the sonnet (Verse 2) employs hyperbole to exaggerate the beauty of the beloved by suggesting that they are even lovelier and more temperate than a perfect summer’s day.
3. Personification: In line 3 (Verse 3), the speaker personifies “rough winds,” describing them as shaking the “darling buds of May.” This literary device serves to create a vivid image of the natural world and the potential threats to beauty.
4. Imagery: Shakespeare employs vivid imagery to convey the beauty of the beloved, the changing seasons, and the passage of time. For example, he uses the image of the “eye of heaven” and the “gold complexion” to describe the sun (Verse 5 and 6), and the image of a lease to describe the brevity of summer (Verse 4). These images serve to create a powerful and lasting impression of the beloved and the natural world.

Themes in “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

1. The Power of Poetry and Art to Preserve Beauty: Throughout the sonnet, the speaker suggests that his beloved’s beauty is so great that it can never truly fade, even with the passage of time. He claims that through his poetry, he can capture the essence of the beloved’s beauty and preserve it forever: “Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade, / When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st” (Lines 11-12).
2. The Transience of Beauty: While the speaker praises the beauty of his beloved, he also acknowledges the transient nature of beauty in general. He notes that even a perfect summer day is subject to change and decay: “And summer’s lease hath all too short a date” (Line 4). This theme serves to underscore the preciousness and fleetingness of life.
3. Love and Devotion: The sonnet is a love poem, and throughout it, the speaker expresses his devotion and admiration for his beloved. He uses hyperbole to emphasize the beloved’s beauty, claiming that they are even more lovely than a perfect summer day: “Thou art more lovely and more temperate” (Line 2).
4. The Power of Immortality: The sonnet suggests that the beloved’s beauty is so great that it can achieve a kind of immortality through the power of art and poetry. The final lines of the poem suggest that as long as people continue to read and appreciate the speaker’s poetry, the beloved’s beauty will continue to live on: “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee” (Lines 13-14).

Literary Theories and “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

1. New Criticism: New Criticism is a literary theory that emphasizes close reading of a text to understand its form, structure, and language. This approach could be used to analyze “Sonnet 18” by examining the sonnet’s traditional structure and language choices, such as the use of iambic pentameter and metaphors comparing the beloved to a summer’s day.
2. Reader-Response Criticism: Reader-Response Criticism is a literary theory that emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting a text. This approach could be used to explore how different readers might interpret the sonnet’s themes of love and beauty, and how their own experiences and perspectives might shape their understanding of the poem.
3. Feminist Criticism: Feminist Criticism is a literary theory that focuses on the representation of gender and power in literature. This approach could be used to analyze the sonnet’s depiction of the beloved and the speaker’s relationship to them. Some feminist readings of the sonnet might critique the speaker’s objectification of the beloved or explore the ways in which the poem reflects the patriarchal society in which it was written.
4. Historical Criticism: Historical Criticism is a literary theory that examines a text in its historical context. This approach could be used to analyze “Sonnet 18” by considering the political, social, and cultural factors that influenced Shakespeare’s writing. For example, a historical reading might explore how the sonnet reflects Renaissance ideas about love and beauty, or how it speaks to the concerns of Shakespeare’s contemporary audience.

Essays Questions Thesis Statements about “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

• Topic: The Theme of Immortality in “Sonnet 18”

Question: How does Shakespeare use poetic devices such as metaphors and imagery to convey the theme of eternal love and immortality in the sonnet?

Thesis Statement: Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18” explores the theme of immortality through the use of metaphors, imagery, and other poetic devices, ultimately arguing that true love can transcend even death.

• Topic: The Power of Poetry in “Sonnet 18”

Question: How does the sonnet itself serve as a testament to the power of poetry to capture and preserve beauty, even in the face of mortality?

Thesis Statement: Through the use of poetic devices such as metaphor, imagery, and personification, Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18” highlights the power of poetry to transcend time and preserve the memory of beauty.

• Topic: The Nature of Beauty in “Sonnet 18”

Question: How does Shakespeare’s sonnet explore the nature of beauty and its fleeting nature, using the metaphor of a summer’s day to evoke the transience of youth and vitality?

Thesis Statement: “Sonnet 18” uses vivid imagery and figurative language to explore the fleeting nature of beauty, arguing that true beauty lies in the memory of the beloved.

• Topic: The Role of Gender in “Sonnet 18”

Question: How are gender and power dynamics reflected in the sonnet, with a particular focus on the female subject and her agency?

Thesis Statement: Through the portrayal of the female subject in “Sonnet 18,” Shakespeare reveals the gendered power dynamics of his time, ultimately questioning societal norms and elevating the status of the beloved.

Short Questions-Answers about “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

1. What is the overall theme of “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare?

The overall theme of “Sonnet 18” is the power of poetry to preserve beauty and transcend time. The speaker uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the beauty of his beloved, ultimately arguing that the sonnet itself will ensure that she remains immortalized. The poem opens with a comparison between the beloved and a “summer’s day,” which highlights the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of aging and death. However, the speaker argues that through the power of poetry, his beloved will live on forever. The sonnet is itself an act of preservation, as it immortalizes the beloved’s beauty in words that will be read and appreciated long after the speaker and his beloved are gone.

2. What is the significance of the metaphor of the “summer’s day” in “Sonnet 18”?

The metaphor of the “summer’s day” in “Sonnet 18” serves to highlight the fleeting nature of youth and vitality. By comparing the beloved to a summer’s day, the speaker emphasizes the transience of beauty and the inevitability of aging and death. The metaphor also suggests that the beloved’s beauty is not just temporary, but also fragile and vulnerable to the forces of time and nature. By the end of the sonnet, however, the speaker argues that the beauty of his beloved will live on through the power of poetry, transcending even the forces of nature.

3. How does Shakespeare use personification in “Sonnet 18” to convey the theme of immortality?

Shakespeare uses personification to convey the theme of immortality in “Sonnet 18” by anthropomorphizing the elements of nature. By describing how “rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,” the speaker emphasizes the power of nature to destroy beauty, but also suggests that the sonnet itself can preserve it. The personification of the winds and the buds of May creates a vivid image of the destructive power of nature, but also suggests that the beloved’s beauty can be protected through the power of poetry. The personification also serves to make the poem more memorable and engaging for the reader, as it creates a sense of drama and motion in the natural world.

4. What is the significance of the final couplet in “Sonnet 18”?

The final couplet in “Sonnet 18” serves as a triumphant conclusion to the poem’s argument that the beloved’s beauty will be immortalized through the sonnet. By declaring that “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee,” the speaker asserts that the power of poetry can transcend even death. The final couplet is also significant in that it is the first time the beloved’s name is mentioned in the poem, making it clear that the poem is intended as a tribute to her beauty. The couplet also serves to tie together the themes of the sonnet, as it affirms the power of poetry to preserve beauty and transcend time, while also affirming the importance of human connection and memory.

Literary Works Similar to “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

• Other Shakespearean Sonnets:
  • **Sonnet 116: ** Celebrates true love as an enduring, unchanging force.
  • Sonnet 73: Explores the idea of love persisting even in the face of aging and decay.
  • Sonnet 130: Subverts traditional beauty tropes, praising a beloved’s realistic qualities
• Elizabethan & Petrarchan Sonnets:
  • “Amoretti” by Edmund Spenser: A sequence of love sonnets dedicated to his wife, with similar themes of immortalizing love.
  • “Astrophel and Stella” by Sir Philip Sidney: Explores complex, unrequited love and praises the beloved’s beauty with elaborate imagery.
• Romantic Era Poetry:
  • “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron: Admires a woman’s inner and outer beauty using vivid natural comparisons.
  • “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: The transient nature of power and beauty contrasts with the enduring nature of art and words.
• Modern and Contemporary Poetry:
  • “Having a Coke With You” by Frank O’Hara: Finds beauty and significance in everyday shared moments.
  • “[love is more thicker than forget]” by e.e. cummings: Unconventional structure and wordplay convey the timelessness and power of love.

These works share a focus on:

• The power of poetry to immortalize: The poets strive to capture and preserve the beauty of their beloved or a specific emotion.
• Love and beauty: Often focus on physical or inner beauty, sometimes in idealized forms.
• Time and its relentless passage: The poets contrast the brevity of life with the potential for love and art to exist beyond it.

Suggested Readings: “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare

Books

• Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Chelsea House, 2009.
• Kerrigan, John. The Sonnets and a Lover’s Complaint. Penguin Books, 1995.
• Vendler, Helen. The Art of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Harvard University Press, 1999.

Articles

• Ferry, Anne. “The ‘Inward’ Language: Sonnets of Wyatt, Sidney, Shakespeare, Donne.” Sidney Journal, vol. 11, no. 1/2, 1993, pp. 71-94. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41206003.
• Schoenfeldt, Michael. “‘The Expense of Spirit’: Love and Sexuality in Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” Representations, vol. 86, no. 1, 2004, pp. 1-22. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/rep.2004.86.1.1.
• Wilson, Douglas B. “Shakespeare’s Sonnets and the 1590s.” A Companion to Shakespeare’s Sonnets, edited by Michael Schoenfeldt, Blackwell, 2002, pp. 14-31.

Websites

• Folger Shakespeare Library. “Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” Folger Shakespeare Library, www.folger.edu/shakespeares-sonnets.
• Poetry Foundation. “Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare.” Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45099/sonnet-73-that-time-of-year-thou-mayst-in-me-behold.
• British Library. “Discovering Literature: Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” British Library, www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/shakespeares-sonnets.