Poem Analysis of William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18”

William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 describes the loveliness of a friend or a lover by comparing

him/her to a summer’s day with the use of a rhetorical question. But the poet goes on to tell that
he/she is more lovely and temperate, which shows greater feelings of the poet towards the person
being described. Shakespeare then continues to compare the person to what summer brings, like
rough winds and the heat, which are not exactly positive descriptions, however, it depicts an
idyllic view of summer, and also a view of what kind of person the one being described is in the
poem. The poem concludes by insinuating that through this piece, the poem’s subject, will be
alive forever, defying even death.

Aside from the interesting play of words and the depth of its meaning, Shakespeare made good
use of sound devices which makes the poem engaging to be read, especially out loud. Sonnet 18
made use of the classic sonnet elements, having 14 lines and a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d-
e-f-e-f-g-g. The use of imagery in this poem effectively allows the readers to imagine just how
lovely the subject being described is, which makes it a pleasing literary piece. Shakespeare’s
overall use of these elements allows the readers to understand the message that the subject’s
beauty is incomparable to a summer’s day and even transcends time.

By:

Group 1
Lianna Philisa Miranda
Lalaine Antigo
Khem Constantino
Pink Penelopy Flores
Mescheal Tacsan