Sonnet 18

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The Best Poem in the World Essay Through the course of history, William Shakespeare 's poems have demonstrated a great significance in providing both the fundamentals and foundations to modern-day literature. "Sonnet 18," or often titled "Shall I compare thee to a summer 's day?" published in 1609, is among one of the most famous sonnets Shakespeare has ever written. The sonnet comprises the element of expressing one 's love by comparing a beloved 's everlasting beauty and that to a summer 's day. Despite its out-dated context, the elegance of this sonnet demonstrates to be one of the best-written poems in history. The poem uses several poetic devices including similes and metaphors, symbolism, and rhyme and meter, to enhance its effectiveness …show more content…

This poetic device frequently allowed readers to form mental images of the meanings Shakespeare was trying to imply. A major component that illustrates Shakespeare 's use of symbolism is the summer season. Throughout the sonnet, summer is recognized to be a vibrant, lovely and youthful season; but has multiple flaws, as it is not everlasting. Although the season portrays both good and bad qualities, Shakespeare utilizes the positive attributes to symbolize the beauty of the beloved. An example from the poem is, "By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d /But thy eternal summer shall not fade /Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest" (Shakespeare, 8-10). In this section, Shakespeare explains the disappointments of summer where it will eventually pass and fade away. He also symbolizes the aspects of "eternal summer" to the beloved 's perfect nature. This symbolism supports Shakespeare 's argument of the nameless person 's beauty where it is like the summer season; however, in contrast, it is forever undying and lives on in this poem. Another example of symbolism is, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, /So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." (Shakespeare, 13-14). In this example, Shakespeare uses the word "this" to symbolize "Sonnet 18" where he wishes for the beloved 's beauty to never fade, like this poem that is

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