SHORT QUESTIONS OF SONNET-18 BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

1. What is sonnet? 

The term sonnet has come from the Italian word ‘sonetto’, which means "little song". Sonnet is a type of poem that basically contains fourteen lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure.

2. How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?

Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets in two sequences. His first sonnet sequence included 126 sonnets which were addressed to his friend, probably William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke and his second sonnet sequence included 28 sonnets which were addressed to a Dark Lady.

3. What is the rhyme scheme and structure of Shakespearean sonnet? 

Shakespearean sonnet has three quatrains and a concluding couplet. It follows “abab cdcd efef gg” rhyme scheme.

4. What is the prosodic name of sonnet no-18?

Sonnet no-18 is an example of iambic pentameter.

5. When was this sonnet published? 

This sonnet was published in 1609.

6. Whom has the poet addressed in this poem? 

In this poem the poet has addressed his friend, probably William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke

7. Who is compared to the summer’s day? 

Poet’s beloved friend, probably William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke is compared to the summer’s day.

8. How did the poet’s friend out do the summer’s day? 

The poet’s friend out did the summer’s day in beauty and personality.

9. What is the literary meaning of ‘thou art’? 

What type of words are these? ‘Thou art’ means ‘you are’. These are the archaic words.

10. Give some similar meanings of the word ‘temperate’. 

Some similar meanings of the word ‘temperate’ are serious, mild, harsh, constant, having personality.

11. What affects the buds of May? 

The rough wind affects the buds of May.

12. How does the poet underestimate the summer?

The poet underestimates the summer by saying that its validity is very short in respect of comparison to the poet’s friend.

13. What does the phrase ‘eye of heaven’ mean?

The phrase ‘eye of heaven’ means the sun, the source of all power of the earth.

14. How does the poet underestimate the sun?

Accroding to the poet, the sun may shine very hot and its complexion may be very golden but its hotness and golden colour sometime dim.

15. What is the poet’s observation on beauty of natural objects? 

The poet gets a realization that every natural object’s beauty is subjected to decay or decline.

16. How does every natural object lose its beauty?

Every natural object loses its beauty by misfortune or by the impact of time.

17. What does the phrase “eternal summer” mean?

The phrase “eternal summer” means the eternal youth and vigour of the poet’s friend.

18. What does the word “ow’st” mean? 

The word “ow’st” may mean “ownest” as well as “owest”. In Shakespeare’s time the words “own” and “owe” both had the similar meaning.

19. What possession does the poet’s friend own?

The poet’s friend owns the possession of eternal beauty.

20. Why will the death not able to brag the poet’s friend? 

The death not able to brag the poet’s friend as his friend will always be immortal in the lines of poet’s poetry.

21. How many days will poet’s poerty live on?

According to the poet, as long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long his poetry will live on.

22. What does the word ‘shade’ signify? 

The word ‘shade’ signifies the ‘shadow of death’.