SONNET 18 - William Shakespeare 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 dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance or nature's changing course untrimmed. But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st, Nor shall Death brag thou wand'rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st. So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long livestais, and this gives life to thee. In W. Shakespeare's poem, Shall 1 compare thee to a summer's day, the speaker reinforces the theme of eternal beauty. Closely examine the validity of this statement in relation to structure, imagery, and tone. Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 200-250 words (about ONE page). [10]

Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 artfully weaves the theme of eternal beauty through its structure, vivid imagery, and tone. The poem adheres to the classic sonnet form, comprising fourteen lines with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG) that allows the speaker’s argument to build toward a climax in the final couplet. This structured approach emphasizes the permanence of beauty and love, contrasting with the fleeting nature of a summer's day. Imagery plays a significant role in conveying the essence of beauty. The speaker begins by likening the beloved to a summer’s day, establishing a connection to warmth and light. However, he quickly highlights the imperfections of summer, noting "rough winds" and "the eye of heaven" that can be too hot, suggesting that even the most beautiful days are transient and subject to change. This juxtaposition enhances the idea that the beloved surpasses these ephemeral qualities. The tone of the poem shifts from admiration to a more profound reflection on immortality and beauty. While acknowledging the inevitable decay of nature, the speaker asserts that "thy eternal summer shall not fade," celebrating the beloved's enduring qualities. The final lines reinforce this notion, indicating that the beloved's beauty will live on as long as humanity exists and can appreciate it. Thus, through its structured elegance, rich imagery, and a resolute tone, Sonnet 18 encapsulates Shakespeare's timeless exploration of beauty's eternal nature.