(Q.1): How does Shakespeare immortalize his friend's beauty in his" Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day "? Or
What idea of immortality do you get from sonnet No.18 of William Shakespeare? Or, (Substance of the poem/ sonnet 18)
Ans. William Shakespeare's "Shall I compare Thee to a Summer's day "is a lovely poem. The poet was actually aware of the destructive power of time. He believed that his friend might be immortalized through his verses. The poet asks whether he can compare his friend's beauty to a Summer's day. But soon he denies the association because the beauty of a Summer's day may be spoiled by rough winds, excessive heat or over cast condition. But the poet's friend's beauty is forever. As long as people read the verses, the beauty of the poet's friend will be praised. Thus, Shakespeare would be able to immortalize the beauty and youth of his friend.
(Q.2) "....... And this gives life to thee"- What does 'this' refer to? Who is referred to ' thee'? How does 'this' give life? ******
Ans. Here 'this' refers to the sonnet "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day", which Shakespeare dedicates to his friend.
The word 'thee' is referred to the poet's young friend.
This Sonnet gives life to the poet's young friend. The poet says that all beautiful objects of nature are subjected to change and decay. But his Love, his beloved's beauty and his Poetic creation are immortal. He is quite confident in saying that so long as man can see or breathe on this earth this verse will be read. His friend's summer, not fade because his verse will make it eternal.
(Q.3) 'But thy eternal summer shall not fade.' - Who is being referred to as 'thy'? What is meant by 'eternal summer'? Why shall not 'thy eternal summer' fade? [2019]
Ans. In sonnet 18, The friend of the poet William Shakespeare is referred to as 'thy'?
'Eternal summer' means the eternal youth and beauty of the poet's friend whose worthiness will be immortalized in the poet's verse.
Every beautiful object of nature is subjected to degeneration. But the poet is very much confident that the eternal summer of his friend is everlasting. Death will never grab his beloved or will fade his glory. The eternal lines composed by the poet will preserve his friend's beauty everlasting. The poet predicted that his sonnet would be acclaimed forever so long men would live on this earth. In this way, his poem would be read and his beloved would be alive.
(Q.4) " Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's day"-
(i) Who is compared to a Summer's day?
(ii) What adjectives does the poet use for the person?
(iii) what are the blemishes of summer?
Ans. In William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, the poet compares his beloved to a summer's day.
The poet describes the person as "more lovely" and "more temperate" than a summer's day, suggesting they are gentler, more balanced, and more beautiful.
The poet lists a few imperfections of summer:
It is too short, as summer passes quickly ("summer's lease hath all too short a date").
It can be too hot ("Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines").
It can be unpredictable, with winds that shake the "darling buds of May."
It fades over time ("every fair from fair sometime declines").
Shakespeare contrasts these temporary flaws with the person’s beauty, which he claims will endure forever through the sonnet.
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