[71] Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day? (Sonnets XVIII)

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

	-- William Shakespeare

One of Shakespeare's best known sonnets, and IMHO one of his finest. The
theme - the interplay between time, beauty and love - was a favourite of
his, and one that he returned to repeatedly, exploring it via a number of
metaphors and images (see, especially, Sonnet LV, "Nor marble, nor the
gilded monuments" for another beautiful one).

This particular sonnet has, incidentally, supplied the title for Bates' "The
Darling Buds of May" - Shakespeare is probably the most fertile source of
titles in general I've encountered.

m.

From: "Ken" <flash-design@>

cool

From: Ali Zaki <alizaki@>

This sonnet should be compared to Shakespeares "My mistresses eyes are
nothing like the sun" ~ What a hypocrite!!!

From: <dsarma@>

nice poem

From: "Peter Axelsson" <axelsson1473@>

I love this poem. It's my favourite.
//Patrik

From: "Webb, John (CD)" <John.Webb@>

From: Martin DeMello <martindemello@>

--- Smidge00762@ wrote:
> Hey my name is ashley and sense u love the poem shall i compare thee to a 
> summers day can u tell me what the lines 13 and 14 mean when he says so long 
> as men can breathe, or eyes can see, so long THIS and THIS gives life to 
> thee...what does the word THIS mean in this poem??? thanx if u can help me 
> out..
> 
> My screenname is smidge00762@

The 'this' refers to the sonnet itself - Shakespeare liked to reflect on the
fact that the subjects of his sonnets were thereby immortalised. Compare Sonnet
LV (http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~richie/poetry/html/aupoem124.html) with its "in
these contents".

martin

From: "ronnie lawlor" <rlawlor@>

The most beautiful of all Shakespeares sonnets.what more can one say.

From: "Rania Georges" <chikita_80@>

A taste of what women would really like to hear.This would be a perfect
valentine's gift, shakespeare is my favorite author and this poem is
beautiful

From: Buckshot88006@

Can you tell me how this poem will keep her young forever?
Her being the women he wrote it to.

From: ChicTwn@

hey since you know this poem ...can you tell me what the theme,tone.and 
langue..thanxs...it really would mean alot to me ......my email is 
chictwin@ 

From: Haley Box <captains_girl35@>


To Buckshot -- this poem keeps his lover young forever in that it refers to how she appears to his eye.. by writing this sonnet, he immortalizes her in the state she is in now.  She is more beautiful than even the summertime, for summer will fade and turn to fall and then winter.  She, however, will remain beautiful.. This is his way of telling her, and everyone else, how radiant she is in his eye.  He's saying that no matter what happens, this sonnet will always remain in her image.  Does that clear things up a bit?  This is a beautiful piece of work.. : )

From: "familie Heemskerk" <heemskerk243@>

Owwww it's just SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! He is right though, this woman,
although we do not what she was like (except beautiful of body and
spirit) but as long as we read it, she will live on, no matter how long
ago she died. *sigh*

From: <leej0210@>

Just to let ya'll know, this poem was written by Shakespeare was written
to his nephew, not a woman. We had a discussion about this today in
language arts, and my language arts teacher told us this.

From: "j.gallagher" <bj@>

It's barrie!

From: "Will Jean-Pierre" <xpjp@>

18 is my favorite sonnet of Shakespeare (116 is also amazing). It was
brilliantly written and is timeless like the "thee" who is the object of
the sonnet. I have met many people whom reminds me of this sonnet and
each time, I forward them a copy.
This poem unlike a summer's day shall never fade.
Billy JP

From: "labtec14" <labtec14@>

i am doing this poem for a school assignment and i need some help
comparing this poem to a song?  the song has to be a good anthem for the
poem?

From: Crashandburnup@

she will be kept young forever because this poem will never die.  So long as 
men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to 
thee.  Basically he says as long as this poem is still being read she will be 
alive because it.

From: "Tarek Farid" <tarekfarid@>

What is the matphors in this poem?...and their descriptions thanxx

From: "Tarek Farid" <tarekfarid@>

metaphors*

From: "Anders Kyhl" <kylvis@>

When we read this poem in school some years ago, we were told, or I
would rather say that we analyzed it and THEN we were told that some
believe Shakespeare wrote this poem to a man!! Some believe that
Shakespeare was gay and that several of his poems/sonnets were in fact
written to a man ....



Anders

From: "Mrk" <kouri_annesty@>

I don't hink it really matters all that much on -who- he wrote the poem
to, we all piture a different person when we read it anyway, i would
imagine shakespeare would have anticipated this, when i read the poem, i
see a vibrant, young, energetic, and beautiful woman, shakespeare may
not have, who cares, this poem is a beautifully writen peice of work. ^^

From: Littlemispissed@

shakespeare didnt write sonnet 18 to a woman he wrote it to a man and all he 
is saying is as long as people continue to read the poem then the man will not 
be forgotten

From: Littlemispissed@

shakespeare wrote sonnet 18 to a man not a woman

From: "PYap" <philip.yap@>

hi,my name is charmaine and i have problems understanding this poem. I
can't identify the similes,metaphors and personification. What emotional
or social conditions could have influenced him in his writings? What
does the poem mean? What is he referring to and who is he writing this
story for? There is a twist at the last 2 lines that makes me very
confused, can you help me out? my email is rebel_yal@
Thanks.

From: "David Forrest" <David.Forrest1@>

I'm way behind, but at the ripish, oldish age of 59 I have just been cut
in three by Dave Gilmour's beautiful vocal version of this sonnet. Seek
it out and weep.

From: Babybumbles3100@

I have an assignment in Lit. class to write a poem similar to Shakespeare's, 
it has to start off like this...   Shall  I compare the to a ___________.... 
and make up something, it also has to be 10 syallables.  Does anyone have an 
ideas? email me back at  babybumbles3100@

From: "mark bailey" <mpbailey@>

hey hows it going, i am looking this poem up for my english lit, and my
teacher told us that when he says "This" he is refferng to the actual
poem. so there u go!

From: "Matt Dodd" <matt@>

Hi,

In response to your comment, may I suggest you take a listen to track 13
of the Sting album 'Sacred Heart'. He has very cleverly written a song
based on the lyrics of this Sonnet.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Matt Dodd

From: "David Forrest" <David.Forrest1@>

While literary eons behind you, to me your theory rings true. Perhaps he
composed this verse in front of a very large vanity mirror, and rather
than entitle it "Me 18", decided instead to be a bit more coy.
Robert Burns, on the other hand, seems to have been more up front -
metaphorically speaking of course - and genuinely did immortalise the
subjects of his verse. If he had followed Shakespeare's example,  we
might well still be cringing today at "Bonny Bonk 18".
Frivolity aside, Sonnet 18 still bites deep, especially when in song by
Pink Floyd's old master, Dave Gilmour.

From: Sunshine Gee <sweethoneebee2002@>

hi i was reading the poem and i loving to read it. and then i saw this
word say shall i compare thee to a summer's day, and i realize that what
he mean by that and i don't understand that part. can u please tell me
what he mean by that or give a  answer for that. thank you

From: "David Forrest" <David.Forrest1@>

Hi Sunshine Gee. If your request has not already been answered, let me
try.
If I wanted to compliment or flatter you, I would choose a beautiful
subject with which to compare you, then proceed to pick faults in that
subject, thus enhancing the compliment. Hope that helps.

From: MCKCAL1@

hey, I was wondering if you could possibly tell me the relationship between 
the poem and Shakespeare; meaning, why did he write this poem? Do you know what 
the poetic devices of sound and sense are? I am trying to do a Poetry 
Analysis and these are just a few of the requirements. I would really appreciate it. 
Thanks.

Please Send Back A.S.A.P,
Danielle

From: Anne K?sters <kuesters@>

Hello Ashley,

this is one of my favourite poems. I remember from school the
interpretation of the last lines. "this" concerns on/to? the writings of
an author. That written words  will live for ever.
Shakespeare wrote these sonnets for a women, who supported him with
money and he wanted to tell her, that his words would make her
un-dyable.
Sorry, my English ist not very well. I hope you can understand it.
Anne Küsters

From: CAT2021@

Hello, I have to write a paper for school on this poem. What would be the 
structure of the poem, and was there anything about the author that might be more 
helpful in understanding this poem? Please help. Thanks :)

From: POLITO_KATE@

It will forever keep her young by immortalizing the image of her beauty 
through the written word.  As she may age this will always preserve the 
beauty that once was hers.
-Kate

From: "Pat McKenna" <aboynamedshanequa@>

I just want to comment on previous comments made:

<<This sonnet should be compared to Shakespeares "My mistresses eyes are
nothing like the sun" ~ What a hypocrite!!!>>

Ali really shows her (I'm assuming that Ali is a female) ignorance.
This sonnet (18) was written for a man who had commissioned Shakespeare
to write it.  The other was for his wife/mistress/whatever.  If you
actually read Sonnet 130, you will find that that, at the end of the
sonnet, he says, "And yet, I think my love as rare As any she belied
with false compare."  He is saying that he still loves her and that he
wouldn't trade her for the world.

From: "L.Brasser" <brasser@>

This poem got me laid
Man was it awsome

Here is a poem of my own

Pow i shoot at the cow
I missed the cow and shoot the sow
None i have no sow and still a cow

thank you

From: "L.Brasser" <brasser@>

woo i love this poem

From: "Dorothy Romina" <hipchicksmk@>

al u peeple r rong man. buffness thing shakespeare rote dis poem to me,
but u no wat i am still trying to figure out watsom of the lines mean
man its hard. oh baby shakey cum bak and tell me!!plzzz love u shakey
xxx D.R

From: "Dorothy Romina" <hipchicksmk@>

boo! dis poem 2 me not u! haha

From: Greg Clark <mac4me@>

It is not of a mistress he wrote this poem to, nor is it of a woman.
"and often in HIS gold complexion dimmed,"
Shakespeare's sexuality will continually be questioned, the relevance, 
none. But questioned it will forever become.....
Yet I do agree, one of his best works,

Rochelle.

From: "Kane, Rita" <RKane@>

I read your note about Shall I compare thee....Where did you find Dave
Gilmour's vocal of it?

I am a ripish 51!
Thanks.
Rita

From: <eileenjones@>

I think the "And often is his gold complexion dimm'd" refers to the "eye
of heaven" (i.e., the sun) in the previous line and not to whoever the
sonnet is addressed to.


------ http://USFamily.Net/info - Unlimited Internet - From $8.99/mo! ------

From: "natalie" <chickybabe_15_51@>

this is tha sweetest poem eva.. i loved it, i have 2 do an oral
presentation on it for lit, does anyone noe what a close reading of the
text thro an analysis of the interrelationship between the reader,
writer, text and context would b? thanx dudes
natz : )

From: "Ionut" <banio987@>

Hey i have a question on this sonnet. What would you consider to be the
main theme. And are there any points when you see that shakespeare uses
a specific word for a reason which identifies alliteration, assonance,
denotation, connotation??? help im illiterate when it comes to poems..
:( can you respond to goldn_hny@  thank you!!

From: "Beth Koenig" <bck@>

Radicall dude

From: "RAWIA ELABBASY" <rawia92@>

one of my favorites
i love it

From: "Rodney Imber" <rimb2194@>

yeah. couldn't the "HIS" part of "And often is his gold complexion
dimm'd" be referring to summer... I don't really like the idea of a GAY
Shakespeare. It's actually quite interesting because I'm using this poem
in a debate about if beauty is better than brains. This will be used as
evidence that beauty is praised in literature, not brains.

From: Nysouthernbell2@

I have a test on this poem in a few days. Although I have read it many times 
I am still unsure of what it is truly about. where does it take place. 
                                               who is the character?
                                               to what audience is he talking 
to?
                                              when?
                                               what motivates shakespeare?
                                                main character?
I know some of these. I just want to make sure that I am reading it and 
answering this right.

From: Steve.Rowe@  Mon Jan  3 11:45:07 2005

the brilliance of Shakespeare lies in his ability to hide a deeper
meaning amongst a more straightforward explanation. If you look at the
subject more metaphysically he could be talking about truth,god,nirvana
or whatever you like to call it. i.e. sometimes that truth is felt
really strongly other times it is dimmed etc



---------------------------------------------------------------
This E-mail message, including any attachments, is intended only for the
person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain confidential
information. If you have received this E-mail message in error, please
contact the author and delete the message and any attachments from your
computer. You should not copy it or use it for any purpose nor disclose
its contents to any other person.  You are also advised that the views
and opinions expressed in this E-mail message and any attachments are
the author's own, and may not reflect the views and opinions of
GlobeCast.

From: "D McKenry" <mckenry53@>

it is possible that the man he is referring to in the play is the earl
of southampton because he funded him for his works of art, he is not in
love with him but he shows his affection towards him for his help.  and
the last two lines are saying that as long as men can breathe they'll
will be able to read the description of this 'so called'
beautiful/wonderful man, that shakespeare pays tribute to, forever.

From: "Berge/Mchale" <mchale@>

dub tee eff? i wrote this yesterday! who put it on the world wide web!
this is total plagiarisagism! im going to find out who dun did it, and
then get them indited for tax fraud! i mean it! i have IRS homies!

you best watch yo back. i want my royalties. 

From: <mario.debollario@>

I m Italian, my name is mario
I have written a modest poem:

Gira più forte o Terra, scagliaci tutti intorno da dove siam venuti
In mezzo allo spazio/tempo da dove siam cresciuti.
Distruggi tutto,
ma lasciami , in mezzo a tanto orrore
solo un sonetto solo
il numero diciotto
che parla del mio amore.

The translation says that the earth should vome faster and throw us of us
away in the middle of the time space, before the big bang.
But the poet ( me ) implore to leave him in the middle
of this horror
just one sonnet only the number eighteen which speaks of his lover.
Like it?
.

From: "Ashley" <dancerskikbut@>

heyy I was just wondering ... why are the last two lines indented ?  is
it because they are more significant to the others

From: VINNYANDSHAZ@

For my English Home work i have to write a sonnet ....... kinda mimicing  
sonnet 18.& its really hard i really dont no wot to do ? 
 like i hAVE TO DO ." SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A DOGHNUT BUN?" 

HHHHEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!!

From: Everybody1062454@

What does the word owest in this peom line 10 mean?
~Mandy

From: "Gary and Vickie Hale" <halegv@>

Line 9-10 talk about the fact his beloved's being will not end (but thy
eternal sun shall not fade) and that she will keep her beauty (that
fair) that she owes to the sun to begin with (nor lose possession of
that fair thou owest).  Owest = ows't = ownest = posses

From: "mary shaw" <mary14@>

I would just like to point out especially to "Familie Heemskerk" that
"Shall I compare......" was written for a boy not a women. I am not
saying thet he was gay but this was written for a person he really loved.

From: "03wardr" <03wardr@>


This message is not the responsibility of Gravesend Grammar School For Girls.
If you have any complaints about this message please reply to Administrator@

From: Jeanette2435@

this sonnet was wrote to his best friend.

From: "**// special ...//**" <gr8liliano@>

<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV>
<DIV>hi my name is lilian and i took the famous sonnet of the great willam shakspear in english class. im finding a little trouble in knowing the theme, the mood, and the tone. i would really appreciate your cooperation coz my test is in a couple of days :(</DIV>
<DIV> my email is <A href="mailto:gr8liliano@">gr8liliano@hotmail.com</A></DIV></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>Don't just search. Find. <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMBEN/2746??PS=47575" target="_top">MSN Search</a> Check out the new MSN Search!</html>

From: "Savanna Benzel" <Rebelchix@>

Please can you translate this poem for me because I have to do a school
project and I don't know what this poem is saying. I need each line
translated so I can understand it.

From: Brannon Hertel <hertelbchs@>

My interpretation to this poem may be way off, but here it is:

(First off, it doesn't matter to me if it's a male or female he is
writing to.  I'll refer to the person as a woman, though.)

1: My sense is that the first line is the speaker repeating a question
that is asked of him... his woman is feeling insecure and what's some
validation of her beauty or his love for her.

2: She's nicer and more beautiful that a summer's day.

Here's where I shift: The talk of seasons and months makes me always
think of the cycle of life.  Also, line 3 says "May," which isn't
summer, probably not even in merry olf England.

3: So I think "the darling buds of May" is a reference to those in "the
May" of their lives.  My way of thinking has that at adolescence.  I'm
going with about a 17-18 year-old girl.

4: The beauty of summertime goes by too fast.

5: Sometimes summer is too intense (hot).

6: Summertime weather can be turbulent, "gold complexion dimm'd."

7-8: Summer's beauty inevitably "declines," simply by the passage of
time.

Summing up 4-8: She wants him to compare her to a summer day, but he
says she's far better because of all of these bad things.  He's trying
to convince her that there are flaws with "summer."  i.e. I've never
done this, of course, but some husbands may say to their wives
something like, "Oh, she's TOO pretty.  Or her legs and boobs are too
perfect.  Boy will THEY sag when she gets older!"  "Summer" is a person
in the prime of her life, the other well-recognized ideals of beauty. 
(Charlize Theron is a woman in the summer of her life.)  The fall of
one's life is when things start to sag, fall, etc.

The rest is what I really love.  It's where he gets truly romantic.

9-10: Her beauty will NEVER go away (unlike summer, that comes to an
end).  She'll ALWAYS have what makes her beautiful to him.

11-12: Death can't brag that she'll be near--she won't die
FOREVER--because ... (of the last 2 lines).

13-14: Until the end of time, as long people exist, and more
importantly, this poem exists, your beauty will live on.  You will be
immortal.

This poem is wonderful because he has convinced her that her loves her,
thinks she's beautiful, and she'll be so forever.

I've had others argue against my interpretation.  So have at it.



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com