Sonnet 18 Flashcard

Front

What is a sonnet?

Back

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and meter, often written in iambic pentameter.

Front

What is iambic pentameter?

Back

Iambic pentameter is a type of poetic meter that consists of five iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable) per line.

Front

What is the main theme of Sonnet 18?

Back

The main theme of Sonnet 18 is the enduring nature of beauty and love, suggesting that poetry can immortalize the subject.

Front

What does 'eternal summer' refer to in Sonnet 18?

Back

'Eternal summer' refers to the idea that the beauty of the speaker's friend will never fade, as captured in the poem.

Front

What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?

Back

The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG.

Front

What does the speaker mean by 'Death will not brag'?

Back

The speaker suggests that death cannot claim victory over the beauty of the friend, as it will be preserved in the poem.

Front

What is the significance of the phrase 'shall not fade'?

Back

The phrase 'shall not fade' signifies the idea that the beauty and essence of the subject will remain eternal through the poem.

Front

How does Sonnet 18 compare to nature?

Back

Sonnet 18 compares the beauty of the speaker's friend to a summer's day, highlighting the transient nature of summer compared to the lasting beauty of the friend.

Front

What is the purpose of flattery in Sonnet 18?

Back

Flattery serves to elevate the subject's beauty and worth, reinforcing the speaker's admiration and love.

Front

What literary devices are used in Sonnet 18?

Back

Literary devices in Sonnet 18 include metaphor, imagery, and personification.