Question

What comparisons does shakespeare make in sonnet 15? in what ways does the language of the poem reinforce these comparisons? how do these comparisons relate to the central theme of the poem?]?

Answer 1

Here Shakespeare makes a simple yet effective comparison between humans and plants, that is their growth. The choice of words here is what makes this sonnet unique and makes the simple comparison shine brightly. This all relates to the central theme as the narrator wishes to defeat the time itself in order to preserve his youth and beauty.

Answer 2

Shakespeare compares men to plants saying they both "increase", and "in their youthfal sap decrease". Shakespeare is talking about the idea of perfection, grafted in life and theatre. As life gives us joy and happiness, growth and death come to a bitter end. Shakespeare imagines these things and writes stories to bring new life about the "youth". The poem's central theme concerns cyclical growth and the way we inspire the natural idea of "perfection".