Several contributions of different periods on society exist based on their unique characteristics. The arts, particularly, influence perceptions of humanity. An analysis of William Shakespeare’s ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day ’ reveals the significant influence of the renaissance on the arts and consequently, art on humanity. An initial reaction to the work is provided in this essay; followed by a historical, thematic, stylistic, and relevance analysis; then the influence of these on initial thoughts and feelings. While initial thoughts on the work reveal it as just another poem on the theme of love, a deeper analysis shows that ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day ’ is influenced by the Renaissance, enabling the poet to carefully employ stylistic devices in exploring the theme of love and immortality in a manner that is forever relevant.
Initial Reaction
When I first read the poem, my initial thoughts are that this is simply another work of romance by Shakespeare. Since the writer is, in most cases, associated with themes related to love, one would expect vivid descriptions of an object of affection, along with confessions of undying affections of love. As a result, one of the most interesting aspects I found of the work was the writer’s use of summer to describe his beloved. Shakespeare notes that his lover is more reliable, constant, and lovelier than the summer often experienced. The symbolism employed in this case is not only interesting in its relevance but also immortality. Comparing the object to a season that the reader can relate with makes the poem more familiar. On the other hand, giving the ‘new summer’ traits that solve problems normally experienced makes it friendlier and better as an ‘eternal’ option.
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Historical Analysis
The work ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day ’ was written during the renaissance period. The period is often described as one of significant artistic and literary achievements. A renewed interest in both humanism and ancient Greek and Roman art influenced architects, musicians, artists, and writers. The growth emerged in Italy, then slowly expanded throughout Europe (Musee Protestant, n.d.). Particularly, humanism entailed the study of Latin and Greek Classics and schools were started to enable the spread of related education, away from the clergy. Consequently, new forms of writing exploring daily lives and feelings were encouraged (Brooklyn College, 2018). ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day ,’ for instance, explores romantic emotions.
Other than the above insights from humanism, further interpretations of the work can be gained from Shakespeare’s biography. Born in 1564, Shakespeare married at 18 and had three children with his wife, who was older than him. He spent much time writing and acting. His career exposed him to vast cultures that may have inspired his work-Shakespeare writes about a person he admires in Sonnet 18 that he may have met during such travels. As a poet, up to 154 sonnets are credited to him, mostly written during the 1950s. Especially exploring themes of love, Shakespeare appeals to a great audience due to great skill in the use of words that may have further been motivated by his education. While no specific records exist of his schooling, most boys in the Elizabethan era are exposed to long hours of studying Latin, poetry, and prose (Biography Online, 2018)-This may have inspired his skill in use of words. For instance, in Sonnet 18, he uses repetition to emphasize the beauty of the subject of admiration -“…more lovely…more temperate (Shakespeare, 1609, line 2).”
Thematic Analysis
As noted above, renaissance embraces humanism, and with it a shift from art guided by the clergy to that embracing everyday life-more relatable themes (secularism other than Christianity). The artists, consequently, fully embrace creativity beyond limitations they previously experienced. Shakespeare in ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day, ’ therefore, explores the theme of love and immortality from a secular perspective. Shakespeare immortalizes an object of affection through poetry. For instance, Shakespeare initially describes the object as beautiful by saying ‘Thou art ‘lovelier’ and more temperate (Shakespeare, 1609, line 2).’ Later, he explains that this beauty shall not fade- ‘But thy eternal summer shall not fade (Shakespeare, 1609, line 9). Finally, he notes that this beauty shall live to be appreciated as long as man lives (Shakespeare, 1609, line 13).
Stylistic Analysis
Sonnets are characteristic of Renaissance poetry and evident in the work, ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day. ’ Shakespeare embraces repetition, rhyme, assonance, and alliteration to make this particular sonnet effective. The word ‘more,’ for instance, is repeated in the second line. Rhyming words such as see/thee and fade/shade are also used. The vowel sound ‘o,’ moreover, is severally repeated in line ten.
Current Relevance
‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day ’ remains relevant to current audiences due to the immortality of the poem. The poet alludes to summer, a common and recurring phenomenon in society, to which the audience can relate. Moreover, the poet explores an eternal yet common theme in society-love. To date, people fall in love, giving loveable descriptions to the objects of their affection-just as was the case in Shakespeare’s time.
Influence on Initial Thoughts and Feelings
Initially, I felt the work was just another romance piece by Shakespeare. The deeper knowledge gained through analysis has further informed this perspective. The work is more than one on the theme of love, but also the immortality of the aspect. The poet, inspired by humanism during the Renaissance, employs vast stylistic devices in expressing feelings often felt in society. The choice of words, moreover, make the object of affection eternal, such that the poem remains relevant to audiences today. Interestingly, the author succeeds in not only making the object of affection in the poem eternal but also in immortalizing himself. Particularly, the lines in the poem remain eternally relevant (as does the poet) due to the symbolism employed, as well as aspects of repetition, rhyme, assonance, and alliteration.
References
Biography Online. (2018). Short Biography William Shakespeare |. Retrieved from https://www.biographyonline.net/poets/william_shakespeare.html
Brooklyn College. (2018). The Renaissance 1400-1600. Retrieved from http://www.edu.pe.ca/westisle/departments/socialstudiesdepartment/history521/Renaissance.pdf
Musee Protestant. (n.d.). Renaissance and Humanism in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries - Musée protestant. Retrieved from https://www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/renaissance-and-humanism-in-europe-in-the-15th-and-16th-centuries/
Shakespeare, W. (1609). Sonnet 18 ‘Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer Day.’
