1. According to the speaker, why is summer not an adequate comparison for his beloved? 2. In your opinion, what is the ‘eye of heaven’? (a) God
(b) The Sun (c) The clouds
3. According to the speaker, what happens to eradicate the beauty of nature? 4. Why will the eternal beauty of the speaker’s love never fade? 5. Number the 10 syllables in each line of the sonnet
Explore
1. Shakespearean sonnets follow a specific rhyming scheme. Identify the rhyming scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet by writing out the rhyming scheme used in ‘Shall I Compare Thee’. Does this rhyming scheme contribute to the mood of the sonnet?
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2. Which image do you think is most memorable in this sonnet? Explain your choice.
3. Do you think this sonnet effectively captures the theme of love? Give a reason for your answer.
4. You have been asked to visually represent this sonnet. Describe the three images would you choose and explain your reasons for each choice.
Create
Swap your Portfolio with your partner and write a title for each other’s sonnets in the space provided on page 70. When you have written titles for each other, swap your Portfolios back and write a sonnet based on the title that your partner has given you. You must conform to the rhyming scheme of the Shakespearean sonnet.
