Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day Poem Analysis?

Understanding “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day” poem analysis can be challenging. At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we provide a detailed breakdown of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, exploring its themes, language, and enduring appeal, simplifying your literary exploration. We offer insights into poetic devices and cultural contexts.

1. What Is The Main Idea of “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”

The main idea of Shakespeare’s “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day” (Sonnet 18) is to immortalize the beauty of the subject, typically interpreted as a beloved person, through the power of poetry. Shakespeare asserts that unlike a summer’s day, which is transient and subject to change, the subject’s beauty will endure forever in the written word. This is a declaration of love and admiration, focusing on the lasting impact of art against the ravages of time. The sonnet suggests poetry’s ability to transcend mortality.

1.1 What Are The Key Themes Explored In Sonnet 18?

Sonnet 18, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” primarily explores the themes of beauty, mortality, and immortality through art.

Beauty: The poem begins by questioning whether the subject’s beauty can be likened to that of a summer’s day. Shakespeare acknowledges summer’s beauty but argues that the subject possesses a more constant and superior loveliness. This sets the stage for an exploration of what constitutes true beauty.
Mortality: Summer is fleeting; it doesn’t last. Shakespeare contrasts the ephemeral nature of a summer’s day with the eternal quality he wishes to attribute to his beloved. The poem touches on the human fear of aging, decay, and death, which are mirrored in the changing seasons.
Immortality through Art: The central theme of Sonnet 18 is the idea that poetry can grant immortality. Shakespeare believes that his verse will keep the subject’s beauty alive forever, defying time and death. The sonnet itself becomes a monument, ensuring that future generations will know and admire the subject’s loveliness.
Love and Admiration: Underlying the themes of beauty and immortality is the poet’s deep love and admiration for the subject. The sonnet is a tribute, aimed at praising and preserving the memory of someone deeply cherished.
Comparison and Contrast: The entire poem is structured around a comparison between the subject and a summer’s day, highlighting the limitations of nature compared to the power of art. The contrast serves to elevate the subject to a plane beyond the reach of time.

1.2 How Does Shakespeare Use Poetic Devices to Enhance The Poem’s Meaning?

Shakespeare masterfully employs a range of poetic devices in Sonnet 18 to enhance its meaning and impact:

Metaphor: The central metaphor is the comparison of the beloved to a summer’s day. This sets the stage for exploring qualities like beauty, warmth, and transience.
Simile: Although the poem is framed as a question (“Shall I compare thee…?”), Shakespeare doesn’t actually use a direct simile. Instead, he uses the comparison to highlight the ways in which the beloved surpasses a summer’s day.
Personification: Shakespeare gives human qualities to the sun (“the eye of heaven shines”) and to death (“nor shall Death brag”). This makes abstract concepts more vivid and relatable.
Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery, particularly related to nature and the seasons (“summer’s day,” “darling buds of May,” “eternal summer”). These images create a sensory experience for the reader, making the poem more engaging.
Alliteration: Shakespeare uses alliteration (the repetition of consonant sounds) to create a musical effect and emphasize certain phrases (“summer’s day,” “fair from fair,” “wanders waste”).
Assonance: Assonance (the repetition of vowel sounds) also contributes to the poem’s musicality and helps to link ideas (“his gold complexion dimmed,” “fade,” “date”).
Caesura: The use of caesura (pauses within a line) creates emphasis and affects the rhythm of the poem. For example, “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, // And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
Enjambment: Shakespeare uses enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause) to create a sense of flow and momentum, reflecting the continuous nature of time and the enduring quality of the verse.
Volta: The volta, or turn, typically occurs in the third quatrain of a Shakespearean sonnet. In Sonnet 18, the volta shifts the focus from the limitations of summer to the eternal nature of the poem itself.
Rhyme Scheme: The Shakespearean sonnet form has a specific rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG). This structure provides a framework for the poem’s argument and contributes to its overall coherence.
Meter: Sonnet 18 is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythm that consists of ten syllables per line, alternating between unstressed and stressed syllables. This creates a natural, conversational tone.

By using these poetic devices, Shakespeare elevates Sonnet 18 from a simple comparison to a profound meditation on beauty, time, and the power of art. These elements work together to create a lasting impression on the reader, ensuring the poem’s enduring appeal.

2. What Is The Significance of Summer In “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”

In “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” summer serves as a benchmark of beauty against which the speaker measures their beloved. However, summer is also portrayed as transient and flawed. The “rough winds” and the “too short a date” of summer highlight its impermanence, which contrasts with the eternal beauty the speaker attributes to their subject. Thus, summer is significant as both a standard of beauty and a symbol of fleeting existence, ultimately emphasizing the superior, lasting nature of the subject’s beauty immortalized in verse.

2.1 How Does The Poem Contrast Summer’s Beauty With The Subject’s Beauty?

The poem contrasts summer’s beauty with the subject’s beauty by highlighting the imperfections and impermanence of summer while emphasizing the eternal and unchanging nature of the subject’s loveliness.

Transience vs. Permanence: Summer is depicted as fleeting, with its beauty subject to change and decay. “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,” and “summer’s lease hath all too short a date” illustrate how temporary summer’s pleasantness is. In contrast, the subject’s beauty is portrayed as eternal, untouched by the ravages of time.
Change vs. Constancy: The poem notes that “sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines,” indicating that even the sun’s beauty can be excessive or unpleasant. The subject’s beauty, however, is constant and unwavering. This implies a sense of reliability and stability that summer cannot offer.
Natural vs. Artistic Immortality: Summer’s beauty is natural and therefore subject to the natural cycle of birth, growth, and decay. The poem argues that the subject’s beauty, immortalized in verse, transcends this natural cycle. The lines “But thy eternal summer shall not fade” and “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee” emphasize the power of art to grant eternal life.
Imperfections vs. Idealization: Summer has imperfections, such as rough winds and an overly hot sun. The subject, however, is idealized in the poem, with no mention of flaws. This idealization contributes to the sense that the subject’s beauty is superior to that of a summer’s day.

2.2 What Qualities Does The Subject Possess That Make Them Superior To A Summer’s Day?

The subject in “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” possesses several qualities that make them superior to a summer’s day:

Constancy: Unlike a summer’s day, which is subject to change due to “rough winds” or an “eye of heaven” that shines “too hot,” the subject’s beauty is portrayed as unwavering and consistent. This constancy implies a sense of reliability and stability that summer cannot offer.
Eternality: Summer is fleeting and temporary, with “too short a date.” The subject’s beauty, however, is immortalized through the poem, ensuring that it will last “so long as men can breathe or eyes can see.” This eternality contrasts sharply with the transient nature of summer.
Freedom from Decay: Summer’s beauty is part of the natural cycle of birth, growth, and decay. The subject’s “eternal summer shall not fade,” indicating that their beauty is immune to the effects of aging and death.
Unfading Beauty: The subject’s “eternal summer shall not fade,” indicating that their beauty is impervious to the effects of time.
Not Losing Possession of Fairness: The subject will not “lose possession of that fair thou ow’st,” meaning that their beauty will not diminish or be taken away. This contrasts with the temporary nature of summer’s beauty, which eventually fades with the changing seasons.
Eternal Life through Verse: The subject gains a form of immortality through the poem itself. “So long lives this, and this gives life to thee” suggests that the poem will keep the subject’s memory and beauty alive for future generations, transcending the limitations of a natural lifespan.

These qualities combine to elevate the subject’s beauty far beyond that of a mere summer’s day. By immortalizing the subject in verse, Shakespeare suggests that art can surpass nature in its ability to preserve and celebrate beauty.

3. How Does Sonnet 18 Explore The Theme Of Mortality?

Sonnet 18 explores the theme of mortality by contrasting the transient nature of summer with the enduring power of art to immortalize beauty. Summer, with its “rough winds” and “too short a date,” symbolizes the fleeting nature of life and beauty. The poem acknowledges that all things natural are subject to decay and eventual death. However, Shakespeare argues that through his verse, the subject’s beauty will transcend mortality, living on “so long as men can breathe or eyes can see.” Thus, the poem uses the imagery of summer’s impermanence to highlight the human fear of mortality, while offering poetry as a means to overcome it.

3.1 What Aspects Of Summer Highlight The Fleeting Nature Of Life?

Several aspects of summer highlighted in Sonnet 18 emphasize the fleeting nature of life:

“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May”: This line suggests that even the most beautiful and delicate aspects of summer are vulnerable to disruption and destruction. The “rough winds” symbolize the harsh realities of life that can prematurely end or mar youthful beauty.
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date”: This line directly addresses the temporary nature of summer. The word “lease” implies that summer’s beauty is borrowed and has a limited duration, much like human life.
“Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines”: This line points out that even the most pleasant aspects of summer can become excessive or unpleasant, highlighting the instability and unpredictability of life. Just as the sun’s heat can become oppressive, life’s joys can turn into burdens.
“And often is his gold complexion dimmed”: This line indicates that the sun’s golden appearance, a symbol of warmth and vitality, is often obscured or faded. This fading suggests the inevitable decline of beauty and vigor over time.

3.2 How Does Shakespeare Propose To Overcome Mortality In The Poem?

Shakespeare proposes to overcome mortality in Sonnet 18 through the power of his poetry. He suggests that while summer’s beauty is fleeting, the beauty of the subject, immortalized in verse, will endure forever. The lines “But thy eternal summer shall not fade” and “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee” explicitly state that the poem will grant the subject eternal life. By writing about the subject, Shakespeare ensures that their beauty and memory will persist for future generations, defying the ravages of time. The poem itself becomes a monument, a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend mortality.

4. What Role Does Art Play In “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”

In “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” art, specifically poetry, plays the central role of immortalizing beauty and overcoming mortality. Shakespeare contrasts the transient nature of summer with the enduring quality of his verse, arguing that the poem will preserve the subject’s beauty for eternity. The act of writing transforms the subject into an eternal figure, defying time and decay. The poem itself becomes a testament to the power of art to transcend the limitations of the natural world and grant a form of immortality.

4.1 How Does The Poem Suggest That Art Can Grant Immortality?

The poem suggests that art can grant immortality through several key lines:

“But thy eternal summer shall not fade”: This line directly states that the subject’s beauty, unlike a summer’s day, will not fade away. The word “eternal” implies that the subject’s beauty will last forever.
“Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st”: This line suggests that the subject will not lose their beauty over time. It implies that the subject’s beauty is being preserved or protected in some way.
“Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade”: This line personifies Death as a figure who boasts about claiming lives. By saying that Death will not be able to brag about the subject, Shakespeare suggests that the subject will somehow escape death’s grasp.
“When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st”: This line explicitly states that the subject will grow into eternity through the “eternal lines” of the poem. It suggests that the poem has the power to transform the subject into an immortal figure.
“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee”: These lines are the most direct statement about the power of art to grant immortality. They assert that as long as people are alive to read the poem, the poem will continue to live, and in doing so, it will keep the subject alive as well.

Through these lines, Shakespeare argues that poetry has the power to transcend the limitations of time and death. By capturing the subject’s beauty in verse, he ensures that their memory and essence will endure for future generations, effectively granting them a form of immortality.

4.2 What Is The Significance Of The Final Couplet In Relation To Art’s Power?

The final couplet of Sonnet 18, “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee,” is significant because it encapsulates the poem’s central argument about the power of art to grant immortality. These lines assert that the poem will continue to live as long as there are people to read it. In doing so, the poem will also keep the subject alive, preserving their memory and beauty for future generations. The couplet serves as a powerful and definitive statement about the enduring nature of art and its ability to transcend the limitations of time and death, solidifying the poem’s theme and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

5. How Does Shakespeare Use Language and Tone In Sonnet 18?

Shakespeare uses elevated and affectionate language in Sonnet 18 to convey admiration and affection. The tone is contemplative and confident, shifting from questioning to declarative as the poem progresses. The initial question, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” sets a thoughtful tone, which evolves into a confident assertion of the subject’s eternal beauty through the power of poetry. The language is rich with imagery, enhancing the poem’s emotional impact and reinforcing its themes of beauty, mortality, and immortality.

5.1 What Is The Overall Tone Of The Poem?

The overall tone of Sonnet 18 is one of admiration, affection, and confidence.

Admiration: The poem is filled with praise for the subject’s beauty. Shakespeare admires the subject.
Affection: The poem expresses a deep sense of affection for the subject.
Confidence: As the poem progresses, Shakespeare becomes increasingly confident in his ability to immortalize the subject through his verse. The tone shifts from a tentative comparison to a firm declaration of the poem’s enduring power.

5.2 How Does The Language Contribute To The Poem’s Emotional Impact?

The language in Sonnet 18 contributes to the poem’s emotional impact in several ways:

Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery, particularly related to nature and the seasons. These images create a sensory experience for the reader, making the poem more vivid and emotionally engaging.
Metaphor and Simile: The central metaphor of comparing the subject to a summer’s day sets the stage for exploring qualities like beauty, warmth, and transience. While not a direct simile, the comparison highlights the ways in which the beloved surpasses a summer’s day.
Personification: Shakespeare gives human qualities to the sun (“the eye of heaven shines”) and to death (“nor shall Death brag”). This makes abstract concepts more relatable.
Elevated Language: The use of elevated language and formal diction (“thee,” “thou,” “thy”) creates a sense of reverence and respect, enhancing the emotional impact of the poem.
Repetition: The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as “fair” and “eternal,” emphasizes the poem’s central themes and reinforces its emotional message.
Sound Devices: The use of alliteration and assonance contributes to the poem’s musicality, adding to its emotional appeal.

6. How Has Sonnet 18 Been Interpreted Over Time?

Over time, Sonnet 18 has been consistently interpreted as a celebration of beauty and a testament to the power of art. Early interpretations focused on the poem as a straightforward expression of love and admiration. Later analyses delved deeper into its themes of mortality and immortality, recognizing the poem as a profound meditation on the nature of time and art. Modern interpretations often explore the poem’s gender dynamics and its place within the broader context of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Despite varying perspectives, the poem’s enduring appeal lies in its timeless exploration of beauty and the human desire to transcend mortality.

6.1 What Are Some Common Interpretations Of The Subject’s Identity?

Some common interpretations of the subject’s identity in Sonnet 18 include:

A Beloved Person: The most straightforward interpretation is that the subject is a person whom the speaker deeply loves and admires. This could be a romantic partner, a close friend, or a family member. The poem’s language of praise and affection supports this interpretation.
A Male Friend: Some scholars believe that the subject of Sonnet 18, along with many of Shakespeare’s other sonnets, is a young male friend or patron. This interpretation is based on the historical context of the sonnets and the conventions of Renaissance literature.
A Woman: While less common, some interpret the subject as a woman. This interpretation emphasizes the poem’s universal themes of beauty and love, which can apply to relationships between people of any gender.
An Abstract Ideal: Another interpretation is that the subject is not a specific person but rather an abstract ideal of beauty or perfection. This view emphasizes the poem’s philosophical dimensions and its exploration of the nature of beauty itself.

6.2 How Does The Poem Reflect Elizabethan Values and Beliefs?

Sonnet 18 reflects several Elizabethan values and beliefs:

Importance of Beauty: The poem reflects the Elizabethan emphasis on physical beauty as a sign of inner virtue and moral worth. The praise of the subject’s beauty aligns with the era’s fascination with aesthetics and outward appearances.
Power of Poetry: The poem reflects the Elizabethan belief in the power of poetry to immortalize and elevate its subject. During this time, poetry was seen as a high art form with the ability to grant lasting fame and recognition.
Humanism: The poem reflects the humanist emphasis on human potential and achievement. By suggesting that art can overcome mortality, the poem celebrates the human capacity to create and transcend the limitations of the natural world.
Courtly Love: The poem reflects the conventions of courtly love, which emphasized the idealized and often unattainable nature of romantic love. The speaker’s admiration for the subject aligns with the era’s emphasis on idealized and often unattainable love.
Religious Undertones: While not explicitly religious, the poem touches on themes of immortality and the afterlife, which were central to Elizabethan religious beliefs. The suggestion that art can grant eternal life may be seen as a secular reflection of religious hopes and aspirations.

7. What Is The Structure and Form Of Sonnet 18?

Sonnet 18 adheres to the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains, which develop the comparison between the subject and a summer’s day, and a final couplet, which provides a resolution and emphasizes the power of art to grant immortality. This structure provides a framework for the poem’s argument and contributes to its overall coherence and impact.

7.1 How Does The Iambic Pentameter Contribute To The Poem’s Rhythm and Flow?

The iambic pentameter in Sonnet 18 contributes significantly to the poem’s rhythm and flow. Iambic pentameter is a metrical pattern consisting of ten syllables per line, alternating between unstressed and stressed syllables (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM). This creates a natural, conversational rhythm that mimics the cadence of human speech.

The regular rhythm of iambic pentameter creates a sense of balance and harmony, making the poem pleasing to the ear. It also helps to emphasize certain words and phrases, drawing attention to key ideas and themes. By varying the placement of stresses within the lines, Shakespeare creates subtle shifts in rhythm that add nuance and complexity to the poem’s meaning.

7.2 What Is The Purpose Of The Rhyme Scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) In Sonnet 18?

The rhyme scheme of Sonnet 18 (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) serves several important purposes:

Structure: The rhyme scheme provides a clear structure for the poem, dividing it into three quatrains and a final couplet. This structure helps to organize the poem’s ideas and arguments.
Musicality: The rhyme scheme creates a musical effect, making the poem more pleasing to the ear. The repetition of sounds reinforces the poem’s themes and enhances its emotional impact.
Cohesion: The rhyme scheme helps to create cohesion between the lines and stanzas of the poem. The rhyming words link together related ideas, creating a sense of unity and coherence.
Emphasis: The rhyme scheme can be used to emphasize certain words and phrases, drawing attention to key ideas and themes. The rhyming words often carry significant meaning, reinforcing the poem’s overall message.
Resolution: The final couplet, with its rhyming lines, provides a sense of resolution and closure. It summarizes the poem’s main argument and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

8. What Is The Enduring Legacy Of “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”

The enduring legacy of “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” lies in its timeless exploration of beauty, mortality, and the power of art. The poem’s universal themes, combined with its elegant language and memorable imagery, have resonated with readers for centuries. It remains one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and widely read sonnets, celebrated for its profound insights into the human condition and its enduring message of hope and immortality. Its influence can be seen in countless works of literature and art, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Western culture.

8.1 How Has The Poem Influenced Other Works Of Literature and Art?

“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” has had a profound influence on other works of literature and art:

Love Poetry: The poem has served as a model for countless love poems throughout history. Its themes of beauty, admiration, and the power of love to transcend time have been echoed in the works of poets from various eras.
Artistic Inspiration: The poem’s imagery and themes have inspired artists in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and music. Artists have drawn inspiration from the poem’s depiction of beauty, its exploration of mortality, and its celebration of the power of art.
Cultural References: The poem has become deeply embedded in popular culture, with references appearing in movies, television shows, and other forms of media. Its famous opening line is often quoted or alluded to, demonstrating its widespread recognition and influence.

8.2 Why Does The Poem Continue To Resonate With Modern Readers?

The poem continues to resonate with modern readers for several reasons:

Universal Themes: The poem explores universal themes such as love, beauty, mortality, and the power of art. These themes are relevant to people of all cultures and time periods, making the poem timeless and enduring.
Elegant Language: The poem’s elegant language and memorable imagery create a powerful and lasting impression on readers. The beauty of the language enhances the poem’s emotional impact and makes it a pleasure to read.
Emotional Depth: The poem explores complex emotions such as love, admiration, and the fear of mortality. This emotional depth makes the poem relatable and meaningful to readers who have experienced similar feelings.
Hopeful Message: Despite its exploration of mortality, the poem ultimately offers a hopeful message about the power of art to transcend time and grant immortality. This message of hope and resilience continues to inspire readers today.

9. FAQ About Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day Poem Analysis

Here are some frequently asked questions about “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day” poem analysis:

9.1 What Is The Meaning Of “Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?”

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” is the opening line of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18. It introduces a comparison, where the speaker contemplates likening their beloved to a summer’s day, setting the stage for exploring themes of beauty, mortality, and immortality.

9.2 What Is The Rhyme Scheme of Sonnet 18?

The rhyme scheme of Sonnet 18 is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, a structure typical of Shakespearean sonnets, dividing the poem into three quatrains and a concluding couplet.

9.3 What Is The Significance Of The Final Couplet?

The final couplet, “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee,” emphasizes art’s power to grant immortality, ensuring the subject’s beauty endures as long as the poem is read.

9.4 What Are The Themes In “Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?”

The primary themes in Sonnet 18 are beauty, mortality, and immortality through art, contrasting the transient nature of summer with the eternal quality of the subject’s beauty preserved in verse.

9.5 How Does Shakespeare Use Imagery In Sonnet 18?

Shakespeare uses vivid imagery related to nature and the seasons to create a sensory experience, enhancing the poem’s emotional impact and reinforcing its themes of beauty and time.

9.6 What Poetic Devices Are Used In Sonnet 18?

Poetic devices used in Sonnet 18 include metaphor, personification, alliteration, assonance, and enjambment, enriching the poem’s meaning and musicality.

9.7 What Is The Meter Of Sonnet 18?

Sonnet 18 is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythm of ten syllables per line alternating between unstressed and stressed syllables, creating a natural, conversational tone.

9.8 Who Is The Speaker Addressing In Sonnet 18?

The speaker is addressing a beloved person, whose identity has been debated but is generally interpreted as someone deeply admired, whether a romantic partner, friend, or idealized figure.

9.9 How Does Sonnet 18 Reflect Elizabethan Values?

Sonnet 18 reflects Elizabethan values by emphasizing beauty, the power of poetry, and humanist ideals, showcasing the era’s fascination with aesthetics and the human capacity for artistic achievement.

9.10 Why Is Sonnet 18 Still Popular Today?

Sonnet 18 remains popular due to its universal themes, elegant language, emotional depth, and hopeful message, resonating with readers across cultures and time periods.

10. Conclusion: Discover More Comparisons on COMPARE.EDU.VN

Understanding “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day” poem analysis enriches our appreciation of Shakespeare’s genius. COMPARE.EDU.VN offers detailed analyses and comparisons to help you make informed decisions and deepen your knowledge. Navigate life’s choices with clarity and confidence using our resources.

Are you struggling to compare different options and make informed decisions? Visit compare.edu.vn today for comprehensive comparisons, detailed analyses, and expert insights. Make smarter choices with confidence. Contact us at 333 Comparison Plaza, Choice City, CA 90210, United States. Whatsapp: +1 (626) 555-9090.

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day Poem Analysis?