Shakespeare - Sonnet 18

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

14 February 2025

Aims lesson 1: 

I know some background to Shakespeare and his plays.

I can analyse a sonnet

Sonnet 18

William Shakespeare

Sonnet 18

Turn to page 30 in your Literature Reader

The Shakespearean Sonnet

Shakespearean sonnets always consist of 14 lines:

three quatrains (4 lines)

one couplet (two lines)

00:09

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?": What is this type of question called? Who is "thee"?

00:21

Why does he compare his beloved to nature?

00:38

What does Shakespeare describe in the second quatrain?

01:08

What is the conclusion of the third quatrain and the couplet?

What are the themes of this poem?

Give an example of a metaphor and explain it.

Give an example of personification.

Rhyme & Meter

What is the rhyme scheme of this sonnet?

1. ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
2. AABB CCDD EEFF GG
3. ABBA CDDC EFFE GG

Give an example of alliteration.

Give an example of assonance.

Give an example of consonance.

Give an example of repetition.

Iambic Pentameter

iambic = one unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one

pentameter = each line has 5 feet; 5 sets of two syllables

Shall I / com pare / thee to / a sum / mer’s day

Why does Shakespeare use iambic pentameter?