1. **Is the poem in a fixed form or free verse?**
- The poem is in a fixed form.
2. **If the poem is in a fixed form, what fixed form is it?**
- It is a sonnet, specifically a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet.
3. **What characteristics tell you about the form?**
- The poem consists of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG) and is written in iambic pentameter, which typically has five feet (or pairs of syllables) per line.
4. **What is the poem about? What is its subject-matter?**
- The poem discusses the nature of true love, asserting that it is constant and unchanging despite challenges or the passage of time. The subject-matter revolves around the enduring qualities of love.
5. **How is the form of the poem used to structure the presentation of the subject-matter?**
- The fixed structure of the sonnet allows for a logical progression of thought, with each quatrain presenting a different aspect of love, culminating in a concluding couplet that reinforces the poem's main argument.
6. **What is the theme, the underlying philosophical idea of the poem?**
- The theme centers on the idea that true love is steadfast and transcends all external changes and the ravages of time.
7. **What is the dominant mood of the poem?**
- The dominant mood is confident and declarative.
8. **Which words convey this mood?**
- Words such as "ever-fixed mark," "never shaken," and "bears it out" convey a strong, unwavering sense of conviction regarding the nature of love.
9. **Does the mood alter in the course of the poem? If so, how and why?**
- The mood remains consistent throughout the poem, maintaining a tone of certainty and assurance about the nature of love.
10. **Explain how and why the diction of the poem is appropriate to the subject-matter and the mood?**
- The diction is formal and elevated, using phrases like "admit impediments" and "edge of doom." This language elevates the subject of love to a serious philosophical level while reinforcing the poem's confident tone.
11. **What poetic devices and figurative language does the poet use?**
- The poet uses metaphors (e.g., comparing love to an "ever-fixed mark"), personification (love is not "Time's fool"), and alliteration (e.g., "rosy lips and cheeks").
12. **What is the purpose and effect of the figurative language and poetic devices? Explain each one separately.**
- **Metaphor:** Comparing love to a star emphasizes its permanence and guidance.
- **Personification:** "Love's not Time's fool" suggests love's independence from external forces, highlighting its enduring nature.
- **Alliteration:** Creates a musical quality and enhances the poetic flow.
13. **Is the rhythm constant or does it vary? How do we know?**
- The rhythm is mostly constant, following the iambic pentameter form, contributing to its lyrical quality.
14. **What is the purpose and effect of this constant or varying rhythm?**
- The constant rhythm creates a sense of stability and reinforces the theme of love's constancy.
15. **Is the rhythm appropriate to the mood/subject-matter of the poem?**
- Yes, the consistent rhythm is appropriate, as it mirrors the unchanging and steadfast nature of true love discussed in the poem.
16. **Is the poet’s attitude subjective (emotional) or objective (rational)?**
- The poet's attitude is subjective, as it expresses a deeply held belief about love, though it aims to present that belief rationally.
17. **Which words, if any, convey emotion?**
- Words like "alteration," "tempests," and "doomed" convey a range of emotions related to uncertainty and stability in love.
18. **Which words have sensory appeal? What is the effect of such appeal?**
- Words like "rosy" (sight) and "sickle" (touch) appeal to the senses, highlighting the transient beauty of youth in contrast with the enduring nature of love.
19. **What feelings does the poem arouse in you? Which words particularly affect you? Explain each one carefully.**
- The poem evokes feelings of assurance and admiration for true love. Phrases like "ever-fixed mark" and "bears it out even to the edge of doom" resonate strongly as they emphasize unwavering commitment.
20. **Has the poet combined thoughts, feelings or diction in a new way? Does he/she approach these ideas from a new perspective? Does he/she give you a new depth of understanding of the subject?**
- Shakespeare presents the idea of love in a way that challenges common perceptions, arguing that true love is immutable. The combination of philosophical assertions accompanied by lyrical language deepens the understanding of love as something eternal and unwavering.