Shall I Compare Thee to Summers Day? -1

Summary

In this classroom session, the instructor leads a discussion on Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, 'Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day.' The session includes students' reflections on the poem, its themes, and its literary techniques. There is also a brief biography of Shakespeare, highlighting his contributions to English literature. The class then listens to two different renditions of the sonnet, comparing their emotional impact. The discussion concludes with students expressing their preferences for the versions they found most engaging.

Takeaways

• 📚 The class discusses Shakespeare's sonnet 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day,' focusing on responses and interpretations.
• 🎤 Students are asked to report on their responses to the poem, highlighting their feelings and understanding.
• 📝 A student shares a reflective piece about searching for something meaningful, relating it to the theme of the poem.
• 📖 The previous class involved a comparison between two poems by Marlowe and their respective themes, rhyme, and figures of speech.
• 🎭 There is a brief discussion about Shakespeare's works, including his plays, sonnets, and contributions to literature.
• 🎼 The class listens to two versions of the sonnet: one sung and one recited, and they are asked to compare and contrast the two.
• 🤔 Some students find the poem easy to understand and interesting, while others feel Shakespeare is exaggerating in his praise.
• 🕌 A student compares the power of Shakespeare's verse to religious texts, expressing a preference for the Quran's immortality.
• 📚 The class includes a brief biography of Shakespeare, touching on his life, works, and the historical context of his writing.
• 🎶 The majority of students prefer the first, more emotional, musical rendition of the sonnet over the second, which lacked feeling.

Q & A

What is the main agenda for today's class?

The main agenda includes listening to reports and responses to Shakespeare's sonnet 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day,' discussing general responses to the poem, learning about Shakespeare's biography, explaining the poem, and comparing two versions of the poem, one sung and one recited.

What are students expected to prepare for this class?

Students are expected to prepare reports and responses to Shakespeare's sonnet 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day.'

What was the content of the first student's report?

The first student's report was a personal reflection on what they are searching for in life, expressing a desire for various things such as the moon, stars, a child's smile, a white rose, a loyal friend, and ultimately themselves.

How did the second student describe the last lecture?

The second student described the last lecture as interesting, wonderful, and very useful. They compared and contrasted two poems, discussed significant events like the exchange of prisoners between Palestinian resistance and Israel, and linked Shakespeare's work to contemporary events.

What is the main theme of Shakespeare's sonnet 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day'?

The main theme of the sonnet is the eternal beauty of the beloved, which will be preserved forever through the enduring power of the poet's verse.

Why does one student believe Shakespeare was confident in his poetry?

The student believes Shakespeare was confident in his poetry because he thought his poetry was great and could immortalize the memory of those he honored and liked.

What is one criticism mentioned about Shakespeare's sonnet?

One criticism mentioned is that Shakespeare's sonnet is full of exaggeration and hyperbole, making it less believable for some students.

Who was Shakespeare addressing in his sonnets?

Shakespeare addressed 126 of his sonnets to a young man, 26 to the Dark Lady, and two poems were not addressed to anyone.

What was the impact of the theater closures in 1592-1594 on Shakespeare's work?

During the theater closures due to the plague, Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, which are notable for their rhyme, imagery, and themes.

Which version of the sonnet performance did most students prefer and why?

Most students preferred the first version of the sonnet performance because it was more musical, emotional, and better conveyed the atmosphere of the poem.