"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate."
In these lines, the poet begins by questioning whether it's appropriate to liken the person he's talking about to a beautiful summer's day. He wonders if this is a good way to describe their beauty. However, without delay, he decides that the person's beauty surpasses that of a summer day. He uses the word "temperate" to express that the person's beauty is not only more attractive but also more steady and consistent compared to the changing and sometimes extreme qualities of a summer day. So, he's saying the person's beauty is more beautiful and reliable.
"But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st."
In these lines, the poet emphasizes that the person's beauty will never fade away. While a real summer's beauty eventually disappears as the season changes, the beauty of the person he's addressing will remain constant. He also says that they won't lose the possession of their fairness or attractiveness. This means that their beauty will always belong to them; it won't be taken away or diminished.
"When in eternal lines to Time thou grow'st."
Here, the poet suggests that through this poem, the person's beauty will continue to grow over time. It's as though this poem acts like a magical garden where their beauty can thrive and flourish forever. This line conveys the idea that the poem will make the person's beauty even more beautiful as time goes on.
"So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."
In these final lines, Shakespeare makes a profound statement about the everlasting nature of poetry. He says that as long as people can breathe and see, as long as humans exist, this poem will continue to exist. And through this poem, the person's beauty will also live on eternally. It's like the poem has the power to make the person live forever in people's hearts and minds. This highlights the incredible ability of words and art to preserve someone's memory and beauty throughout the ages.
Notes by Samarpan Das(SD)
Maynaguri College
