This week, Joey, Jennifer, and Colin discuss Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18.” The sonnet, known for its iconic opening line, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” explores themes of beauty, temperance, and the immortalizing power of poetry.

Our Thoughts

Jennifer reflects on the timeless beauty and craftsmanship of the sonnet.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? I think anyone who’s gone through the American school system has encountered this text… He’s just being very playful with the physicality of the seasons and how that can be compared to someone’s temperament.”

— Jennifer

Joey emphasizes the conversational nature of the sonnet and its enduring appeal.

“This is conversational. When you read it out loud, it should be as if you’re talking to someone. It shouldn’t feel so stuffy… This is Shakespeare’s way of saying: love is eternal, it can never be confined to a single thing.”

— Joey

Colin highlights the evocative imagery and Shakespeare’s unparalleled skill in crafting sonnets.

“It was just a pleasure to read this poem and think about the imagery… Shakespeare was an incredible genius, just unparalleled in terms of his use of language.”

— Colin

Key Themes

• Immortalizing Beauty: The sonnet celebrates the power of poetry to preserve beauty beyond the passage of time.
• The Temporality of Nature: Shakespeare compares fleeting natural elements like summer to the eternal nature of the subject’s beauty.
• Love as Eternal: The poet conveys that true love transcends time, preserved in the lines of poetry.

Conclusion

The team agrees that “Sonnet 18” represents Shakespeare’s mastery of the form and his ability to capture universal truths about beauty, time, and love. The sonnet invites readers to experience the eternal through the poet’s words, reminding us that art can immortalize what is otherwise fleeting.