Review of “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, one of the most famous of his 154 sonnets, is often referred to as the "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" sonnet. It has been celebrated for its timeless exploration of beauty, immortality, and love, offering both poetic depth and clarity. Through vivid imagery and a well-structured argument, Shakespeare presents the idea that poetry—and by extension, love—has the power to immortalize the beauty of the beloved, far beyond the fleeting nature of physical beauty or life.
Summary
The sonnet begins with the speaker questioning whether they should compare the person they are addressing to a summer's day. While summer is often associated with warmth, brightness, and beauty, the speaker quickly notes its imperfections—rough winds, short duration, and inconsistent heat. In contrast, the speaker claims that the beloved's beauty is more constant and eternal than the transitory summer. The second half of the sonnet focuses on the idea that the beauty of the beloved will not fade because it is captured in the lines of the poem itself, granting them immortality through the power of verse.
Themes and Analysis
1. The Transience of Nature: The sonnet opens with a consideration of summer, a symbol of natural beauty and warmth. However, Shakespeare quickly counters this image by highlighting the flaws in summer’s beauty: it is temporary and affected by rough winds and clouds. This serves as a metaphor for human beauty, which, while exquisite, is subject to the ravages of time.
2. Immortality through Poetry: One of the most powerful elements of Sonnet 18 is Shakespeare’s assertion that art—specifically, his poetry—can preserve the beloved's beauty forever. He argues that the summer’s beauty fades, but the beauty of the beloved will remain eternally in the poem: “But thy eternal summer shall not fade”. In this way, the poem itself becomes a tool for immortality, allowing the beloved's beauty to be celebrated forever in the written word.
3. The Role of Time and Mortality: While Shakespeare acknowledges the inevitability of aging and death, he finds a way to transcend time through the medium of verse. By writing the sonnet, he ensures that the beloved’s beauty outlasts their physical form, existing for future generations to admire. This theme of defying time resonates deeply, as it addresses the universal desire for permanence in a world governed by impermanence.
Language and Imagery
Shakespeare’s use of vivid imagery in this sonnet is what elevates it beyond a simple comparison between two things. His descriptions of summer, rough winds, and the sun’s eye are rich in visual appeal, and they immediately draw the reader into a contemplation of nature’s ever-changing state. However, it is the poet’s metaphor of summer that sets up the comparison with the beloved's beauty. By arguing that the beloved's beauty is more constant and enduring, the speaker suggests that true beauty exists not in the physical world, but in the idealized version created through love and art.
The phrase “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee” concludes the sonnet with a powerful statement on the eternal nature of art. Shakespeare’s declaration that the poem will live on forever highlights the immortality of both the beloved’s beauty and the power of written expression.
Conclusion
Sonnet 18 is more than a simple praise of beauty; it is an exploration of the relationship between life, love, and art. Shakespeare’s understanding that time and nature will inevitably change human appearance is counterbalanced by his assertion that the written word has the power to immortalize that which is most cherished. In just 14 lines, Shakespeare delivers a profound meditation on the role of poetry in preserving beauty and love, making this sonnet one of the most beloved pieces in the English language. Through Sonnet 18, Shakespeare not only immortalizes the beloved but also secures his own place in the canon of timeless literary figures.