Sonnet 18: Writing about 'Sonnet 18'

In this lesson, we will explore the meaning of 'Sonnet 18' and how to write about the poem and its themes.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Reviewing your learning

Q1.Figurative language is when ...

A phrase or image is used to mean something other than its literal meaningA phrase or image represents loveA phrase or image represents its literal meaningA phrase or image represents the rhythm of a poem

1/6

Q2.In 'Sonnet 18', summer is presented as being ...

PerfectAlmost perfectAwfulImperfect

2/6

What have you learned this lesson?

Q3.Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' uses which poetic metre?

Iambic tetrameterIambic quatrameterIambic pentameterBlank verse

3/6

Q4.What does the metre of Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' symbolise?

It symbolises the flow of human speechIt symbolises the ticking of a clockit symbolises the beating of a heartit symbolises summer

4/6

Q5.Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' follows what rhyme scheme for the majority of the poem?

An AABB rhyme schemeAn ABAB rhyme schemeRhyming couplets throughoutThere is no rhyme scheme

5/6

Q6.Why does Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' end with a rhyming couplet?

It mimics a nursery rhymeIt mimics the beating of a human heartIt shows that the poem has come to an endIt represents the coming together of the two lovers

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Reviewing your learning

Q1.Figurative language is when ...

1/6

Q2.In 'Sonnet 18', summer is presented as being ...

PerfectAlmost perfectAwfulImperfect

2/6

What have you learned this lesson?

Q3.Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' uses which poetic metre?

Iambic tetrameterIambic quatrameterIambic pentameterBlank verse

3/6

Q4.What does the metre of Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' symbolise?

It symbolises the flow of human speechIt symbolises the ticking of a clockit symbolises the beating of a heartit symbolises summer

4/6

Q5.Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' follows what rhyme scheme for the majority of the poem?

An AABB rhyme schemeAn ABAB rhyme schemeRhyming couplets throughoutThere is no rhyme scheme

5/6

Q6.Why does Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' end with a rhyming couplet?

It mimics a nursery rhymeIt mimics the beating of a human heartIt shows that the poem has come to an endIt represents the coming together of the two lovers

6/6

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

English Lesson 5 of ‘Sonnet 18’ by William Shakespeare - Writing about Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18'

Now you have completed Lesson 4 of ‘Sonnet 18' - the Shakespearean Sonnet, answer the multiple choice questions below to see what you have learned.

Reviewing your learning

Q1.What is the metre called in 'Sonnet 18' that mimics the beating of a heart?

Iambic tetrameterIambic quatrameterIambic pentameterIambic octameter

1/6

Q2.What happens to the rhyme scheme in 'Sonnet 18'?

It remains the same throughoutIt changes from ABAB to a rhyming coupletIt changes from AABB to ABABIt changes from AABB to a rhyming couplet

2/6

What have you learned this lesson?

Q3.What does the speaker suggest about the comparison between his lover and a summer's day?

His lover is better than a summer's dayHis lover is not as beautiful as a summer's dayHis lover is just like a summer's dayHis lover's beauty will fade like a summer's day

3/6

Q4.Why does the speaker list the negatives of a summer's day?

He emphasises the perfection of a summer's dayHe emphasises the similarities between a summer's day and his loverHe emphasises how terrible a summer's day can beHe emphasises the imperfect nature of a summer's day

4/6

Q5.What does the line "But thy eternal summer shall not fade" refer to?

The speaker's lover's beauty will not fade, unlike summerThe speaker's lover's beauty will not fade, like summerThe speaker's lover's beauty is not as impressive as summerThe speaker's lover's beauty will fade like that of summer

5/6

Q6.What does the speaker mean when he uses the rhyming couplet "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee"?

That his lover will fade like eyesight and breathThat his lover is given life by the life of other menThat his lover will live forever through the speaker's poetryThat his lover will love forever in the hearts of others.

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

English Lesson 5 of ‘Sonnet 18’ by William Shakespeare - Writing about Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18'

Now you have completed Lesson 4 of ‘Sonnet 18' - the Shakespearean Sonnet, answer the multiple choice questions below to see what you have learned.

Reviewing your learning

Q1.What is the metre called in 'Sonnet 18' that mimics the beating of a heart?

Iambic tetrameterIambic quatrameterIambic pentameterIambic octameter

1/6

Q2.What happens to the rhyme scheme in 'Sonnet 18'?

It remains the same throughoutIt changes from ABAB to a rhyming coupletIt changes from AABB to ABABIt changes from AABB to a rhyming couplet

2/6

What have you learned this lesson?

Q3.What does the speaker suggest about the comparison between his lover and a summer's day?

His lover is better than a summer's dayHis lover is not as beautiful as a summer's dayHis lover is just like a summer's dayHis lover's beauty will fade like a summer's day

3/6

Q4.Why does the speaker list the negatives of a summer's day?

4/6

Q5.What does the line "But thy eternal summer shall not fade" refer to?

5/6

Q6.What does the speaker mean when he uses the rhyming couplet "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee"?

6/6

Lesson summary: Sonnet 18: Writing about 'Sonnet 18'

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This was the final lesson in the unit The sonnet through time: 'Sonnet 18', Shakespeare.

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