Summer's Day vs. Thee

Attribute	Summer's Day	Thee
Definition	A day in the summer season	A poetic reference to a loved one
Symbolism	Represents warmth, sunshine, and leisure	Represents love, admiration, and devotion
Imagery	Fields of flowers, blue skies, and picnics	Heart, soul, and affection
Emotions	Joy, relaxation, and happiness	Love, passion, and longing

Introduction

Summer's Day and Thee are two popular poems that have been studied and analyzed for centuries. Both poems explore themes of beauty, love, and nature, but they do so in different ways. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Summer's Day and Thee to see how they differ and what makes each poem unique.

Summer's Day

Summer's Day, also known as Sonnet 18, was written by William Shakespeare and is one of his most famous works. The poem begins with the iconic line, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" In this sonnet, Shakespeare compares the beauty of a loved one to the beauty of a summer day. He describes how the loved one's beauty will never fade, unlike the fleeting beauty of a summer day.

• Focuses on the theme of eternal beauty
• Uses imagery of nature to convey the speaker's admiration
• Employs iambic pentameter and a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG
• Emphasizes the idea of immortality through poetry
• Reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of change

Thee

Thee, on the other hand, is a poem by Emily Dickinson that explores similar themes of beauty and love but in a more introspective and personal way. In this poem, the speaker addresses "thee," a beloved individual, and expresses their deep feelings of admiration and affection. The poem delves into the complexities of human emotions and the power of love to transcend time and space.

• Focuses on the theme of personal connection and intimacy
• Uses first-person narration to convey the speaker's emotions
• Employs a free verse form with irregular line lengths
• Emphasizes the individuality and uniqueness of the beloved
• Reflects on the transformative power of love in the speaker's life

Comparing Themes

Both Summer's Day and Thee explore themes of beauty, love, and nature, but they do so from different perspectives. Summer's Day focuses on the eternal beauty of a loved one and the idea of immortality through poetry, while Thee delves into the personal connection and transformative power of love in the speaker's life. While both poems celebrate the beauty of the beloved, they do so in distinct ways that reflect the unique styles and voices of their respective poets.

Comparing Imagery

Summer's Day uses imagery of nature, such as the sun, flowers, and summer days, to convey the speaker's admiration for the beloved. The poem paints a vivid picture of beauty and perfection that will never fade. In contrast, Thee relies on more personal and intimate imagery, such as the speaker's own emotions and experiences, to convey the depth of their feelings for the beloved. The imagery in both poems serves to enhance the themes of love and beauty but does so in different ways that reflect the poets' individual perspectives.

Comparing Structure

Summer's Day follows a traditional sonnet form with iambic pentameter and a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This structured form adds a sense of elegance and sophistication to the poem, reflecting the timeless nature of the speaker's admiration for the beloved. In contrast, Thee employs a free verse form with irregular line lengths, allowing for a more organic and personal expression of the speaker's emotions. The structure of each poem complements the themes and imagery used by the poets, enhancing the overall impact of the work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Summer's Day and Thee are two powerful poems that explore themes of beauty, love, and nature in unique and compelling ways. While Summer's Day focuses on the eternal beauty of a loved one and the idea of immortality through poetry, Thee delves into the personal connection and transformative power of love in the speaker's life. Both poems use imagery, structure, and language to convey deep emotions and profound truths about the human experience. By comparing the attributes of Summer's Day and Thee, we gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of poetry as an art form.