Summary:
“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” is one of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets, celebrating the eternal beauty of the poet’s beloved. The speaker begins by questioning whether he should compare the beloved to a summer’s day but immediately asserts that they are “more lovely and more temperate.” Unlike summer, which is often unpredictable with rough winds and fading beauty, the beloved’s beauty is everlasting. Shakespeare uses the power of poetry to grant immortality to the beloved, stating that their charm will never fade because it is preserved in verse. The poem concludes with the idea that as long as people read this poem, the beloved’s beauty will live on forever. This sonnet emphasizes themes of love, beauty, and the timeless nature of poetry.
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Question | Answer |
Poem Name | Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day? |
Poet | William Shakespeare |
Year Written | Early 1600s |
Year Published | 1609 |
Poem Type | Sonnet (Shakespearean Sonnet) |
Themes | Love, Beauty, Immortality through Poetry |
Rhyme Scheme | ABAB CDCD EFEF GG |
Main Literary Devices | Metaphor, Personification, Imagery, Alliteration |
Famous Line | “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” |
Key Message | Poetry immortalizes beauty and love beyond time |