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Critical Analysis Of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18

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Shakespeare 's 18-th sonnet is one of the most popular poems out of 154 that he wrote. It has translated into almost every major language and used in several literary works by distinguished authors. This poem belongs to the sonnet group from number 1 to 126 which are believed to have been published in 1609. There is still some debate among linguistic as to whom these sonnets were dedicated to, but the majority believe that Shakespeare wrote them as a tribute to a dear friend of his, who helped him publish his works. This poem is written in a typical Shakespearean sonnet having 14 lines in iambic pentameter and ending in couplets. The rhyme scheme in this sonnet is as follows; abab, cdcd, efef, and finally gg. From the very first line, we 'll …show more content…

First, He begins with a metaphor comparing his beloved with the summer. Additionally, Some scholars agree that in the first line there is the presence of paradox as he asks a question which has only a negative answer, though there is no definite analysis to this claim. In the same fashion, He uses metaphor again in the lines five "sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines" as well as in line six "and often is his gold complexion dimmed." The first metaphor is comparing the sun as the eye of heaven, here the author has used this comparison in order to emphasize the beauty of the sun 's radiance, but in the latter line, he says that even as beautiful as the sun is, it fades away unlike the beauty of his beloved friend. Moreover, we 'll see the usage of personification in the first line where "a summer 's day" is personified. Identically personification is expressed in line three "rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and it continues in line eleven "nor shall death brag thou wanders in his shade," death has been personified. In addition to these figures of speech, there are other figures such as; alliteration "every fair from fair declines," and anaphora in the final two lines which begin with "so …show more content…

Based on fact that he went as far as to say that "nor death shall brag....." I do not agree with James Boyde critics, I understand that with those lines the author made it clear that this sonnet was only written to praise 'fair lord ' and to make sure he will be in some ways immortal through these lines.

Sonnet 18, one of the most read, analyzed and beloved poems. The reason is quite understandable. Shakespeare used clear and fascinating language. He carried his emotions with each passing line in order to reach the highest level of praise towards a cherished companion, as a result, he left traces of his thoughts making it easy for the reader to relate. As shown above, with the examples and analysis it 's understood why this sonnet remains as one of Shakespeare 's

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This type of sonnet is used by Shakespeare and contains the rhyme scheme abab, cdcd, efef, gg. The comfort and rhythmic effect of the rhyme scheme allows for an easier understanding of the emotions the narrator is trying to convey. The rhyming pattern that occurs at the end of the poem captures the entire meaning of the sonnet in its final two lines, “Such permanence is terrifying. / So I touch them in the dark; but touch them, trying.”

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