William Shakespeare's poem "Sonnet 18" is one of the most renowned works of literature. Written around 1590–1592, this sonnet has been praised for centuries as a beautiful expression of love and admiration. The 14 lines of the sonnet are structured into three quatrains and a couplet with an abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme.
The speaker compares his beloved to summertime while contrasting her beauty against the transience of nature: "But thy eternal summer shall not fade/ Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;/ Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade…" (lines 9–11). This comparison reveals how much more permanent he believes her beauty is compared to any other natural phenomenon—something that will last forever despite death. He further expresses his confidence by using metaphors such as "eternal summer" or phrases like "all too short date." By describing the woman he loves as something beyond time and mortality, Shakespeare conveys his strong feelings for her that cannot be erased or forgotten.
Shakespeare also employs several poetic devices throughout "Sonnet 18," including personification as he refers to death as a living being: "Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade…" (line 11). Additionally, there are many examples of imagery used within this piece, including references to flowers wilting away due to seasonal changes: "But thy eternal summer shall not fade / Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st..."(lines 9–10). Here we can visualize how quickly life passes us by, but at least our loved ones remain with us until eternity if we choose them carefully enough.
In conclusion, William Shakespeare masterfully crafted these words together into one single work known as "Sonnet 18." Despite its age, it remains relevant because it speaks about universal themes of love and mortality through cleverly constructed metaphor and imagery, along with various poetic devices. "Sonnet 18" is arguably considered one of the greatest pieces written in the Renaissance era. It is still appreciated hundreds of years later.