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Why does Shakespeare compare the young man to a summer's day in Sonnet 18?

Ah, a fine question that cuts to the heart of this poem.


Think about what summer is. Summer is hot. It is a time of passion, warm breezes, and flourishing flowers. It is a time for fun, and often for weddings.


The first reason Shakespeare compares the person he loves to summer is to link him to this time of great beauty, great heat, and great passion.


The second reason Shakespeare compares this person to summer is because summer fades. When it starts, it seems endless, like youth (and youthful beauty). But all too quickly, summer's heat fades, as does the beauty of youth.


The comparison takes advantage of both the positives and negatives of summer.

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