Explain the last Two lines of Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare.

     Unraveling the Profound Meaning of the Last Two Lines in Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare:

Sonnet 18 often referred to as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" is one of William Shakespeare's most renowned and cherished sonnets. This timeless poem, written during the late 16th century, explores themes of love, beauty, and the enduring nature of art. The final two lines of this sonnet, which read,

"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this and this gives life to thee"

 

are particularly celebrated for their profound and enduring message.

Sonnet 18: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

Before we analyze the concluding lines, let's revisit the entire sonnet to understand its context:

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

 Context of the Sonnet

Sonnet 18 is one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets, celebrated for its exploration of the theme of beauty and its enduring nature. The poet begins by pondering whether he should compare the beloved to a summer's day but quickly asserts that the beloved's beauty surpasses that of a summer's day. The central metaphor in the sonnet is the comparison of the beloved to a summer's day, highlighting the transient nature of the season and the eternal nature of the beloved's beauty.

You Can also Read: How does Shakespeare Compare his Friend's Beauty with the Summer's Day in Sonnet 18?

As the sonnet progresses, the poet acknowledges the flaws and imperfections of nature and the inevitable decline of beauty. He contrasts this with the idea that the beloved's beauty is eternal and will never fade. The last two lines, lines 13 and 14, contain a profound statement about the enduring nature of the poem and its ability to preserve the beloved's beauty throughout time.

 Analysis of the Final Two Lines

"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see": In the penultimate line of Sonnet 18, Shakespeare makes a profound assertion. He declares that the poem will endure for as long as there are human beings who can read, appreciate, and understand it. This statement suggests that the poem's longevity is intimately tied to the perpetuity of human existence.

You Can also Read: Metaphors and Symbols are Used in Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare? Is the summer a symbol for youth.

 

This line emphasizes the idea that art, specifically poetry, transcends the boundaries of time and mortality. It is a powerful statement on the role of art in preserving and transmitting human experiences, emotions, and ideals across generations.

"So long lives this and this gives life to thee": In the final line, Shakespeare concludes the sonnet with a statement of remarkable significance. He states that the poem itself, "this," will persist indefinitely. Moreover, he suggests that the poem provides life or a form of immortality to the subject of the poem, "thee," who is the beloved.

This final line underscores the power of art and literature to transcend the limitations of time. It implies that through the written word, the subject of the poem will live on and continue to be celebrated, even in the face of death and the passage of centuries. The act of writing and reading the poem is a form of preservation and a means of granting eternal life to the beloved.

Interpretation of the Last Two Lines

The final two lines of Sonnet 18 convey a profound and timeless message about the enduring power of art, particularly poetry, to preserve the memory of those it celebrates. The lines serve as a testament to the significance of artistic creation and the written word in capturing the essence of human experiences, emotions, and beauty.

Art Transcends Time: The lines emphasize that art, in this case, poetry, transcends the boundaries of time. It endures for as long as humanity exists, allowing the emotions and ideals expressed in the poem to remain relevant and meaningful across generations.

Immortality Through Art: The lines also suggest that the act of writing and reading the poem grants a form of immortality to the subject. The beloved's beauty, virtues, and essence are preserved through the poem, and they continue to live on in the minds and hearts of those who encounter it.

The Power of Literature: These lines highlight the enduring influence of literature and its ability to shape our understanding of the world. It reflects the belief that great works of art can become timeless, continuing to inspire and move people long after they were created.

 

You Can also Read: Theme of Shakespeare's Sonnet-18.

 

A Tribute to the Beloved: The final two lines serve as a tribute to the beloved, acknowledging their lasting significance. The poem itself becomes a vessel through which the beloved's beauty and virtues are celebrated and remembered.

The last two lines of Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this and this gives life to thee," encapsulate a profound message about the enduring power of art and the written word. These lines emphasize that art transcends time, providing a form of immortality to its subjects and continuing to influence and inspire people for generations.

    Through the act of writing and reading, the poem becomes a vehicle for preserving the memory of the beloved and granting them a timeless existence. The enduring nature of this message reflects the timeless appeal and significance of Sonnet 18 itself, which continues to captivate and inspire readers and scholar’s centuries after its composition.