Moreover, and this is where the tone takes its turn, the poet derides summer for its temporary nature. In all of its delighted qualities, the poet suggests, it is a fleeting sensation compared to the lasting statement of her loveliness. Again, we find that exaggeration is a common feature of the love poem. In this instance, there is an overly grand sentiment in the characterization of the subject and, likewise, a decidedly biased disparaging of the summer season as a counterpoint. Here, the poet observes, "And every fair from fair sometimes declines / By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimmed. /
But thy eternal summer shall not fade."
The poet's tone is thus ultimately one of worshipful affection. There is some combination of love and lust which drives the poet's description and which leaves us little doubt that the speaker is either courting or showering this woman.
Point-of-View:
This produces our discussion on point-of-view. The poem is written in the first-person and is addressed to a specific recipient. From all that can be deduced in the discussion on word choice and tone here above, it seems apparent that the point-of-view is that of a man speaking to his lover. This only suggests a general understanding of the point-of-view presented. A more intensive consideration of the poem might reveal a deeper narrative that brings us to reconsider the sentiment that Shakespeare is particularly skilled in examining the human condition.
Indeed, it may be said that the exaggeration is appropriate on the occasion of the death of one's lover, partner, wife or soul-mate. As the poem takes on an almost defensive posture in comparing the perpetual beauty of his subject to the almost cruel suddenness of summer's departure,...
The poet seems transfixed here by death and the temporal nature of things, discussing the passage of time, the waning of seasons, the shortness of a sunny day, the brevity of moments of comfort in between swells of summer heat and, ultimately, the premise that the fairness of his subject might have faded. The poet contends that this could never happen.
We are therefore almost forced to assume that the words and tone here are drawn out of the reminiscence that is inherent to the summer season and the memories which will be necessary to sustain the presence of a departed loved one. For the reader, what at first appears as a lovely reflection on a balmy day may instead be seen as the mournful declaration of a man to hold his love forever in his heart.
Conclusion:
This is, however, only one interpretation of a poem which might actually simply be a message of courtship to an otherwise disinterested woman. In many ways, this demonstrates the value in examining Shakespeare's work simply for its poetic merit. In the context of his plays, such imagery is largely rooted in plot and them. Here, we are left to surmise on our own what is meant by the chosen devices and the overarching sentiment. In doing so, we find that it is not just the thematic decisions, the complex ethical discussion or the compelling plot-lines that make his plays a lasting force in academic and intellectual discourse. We find that his poetry is itself capable of conjuring emotions where are universally understood.
Works Cited:
Kennedy, X.J. & Gioia, D. (2006). Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing, Portable Edition (10th Edition). Longman.
