Important Short Question and Answer of Sonnet 118 by PKG SIR, Sonnet 118,Short Question and answer

  Sonnet 118 by William Shakespeare:

Important Short Questions and Answer of Sonnet 118 by PKG SIR,

 Sonnet 118,Short Question and answer 

Q1. What is the central theme of Sonnet 118?

A1. The central theme of Sonnet 118 is the complexities of love and the consequences of seeking to prevent potential problems in a relationship. The speaker explores how overthinking and preemptive actions can harm a healthy relationship rather than protect it.

 

Q2. What metaphor does the speaker use to describe his relationship with the Fair Youth?

A2. The speaker uses the metaphor of medicine, including purging and emetics, to describe his attempts to address perceived problems in the relationship. He compares seeking variety or “bitter sauces” to prevent stagnation, but these actions ultimately make the relationship worse.

 

Q3. How does the speaker feel about his actions in the poem?

A3. The speaker regrets his actions, realizing that the metaphorical “drugs” he used to prevent problems in the relationship only poisoned it further. He acknowledges that his attempts to preemptively fix something that wasn’t broken caused harm.

 

Q4. What is the rhyme scheme of Sonnet 118?

A4. The rhyme scheme of Sonnet 118 is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, following the structure of a typical Shakespearean sonnet.

 

Q5. What lesson does the speaker learn in the final couplet?

A5. In the final couplet, the speaker reflects on his mistake and concludes that overmedicating or trying to fix something unnecessarily can lead to harm. He learns that his metaphorical “drugs” poisoned the love he shared with the Fair Youth.

 

Q6. What emotions does the poem evoke?

A6. The poem evokes emotions of disappointment, guilt, regret, and lingering love. The speaker’s actions stem from a deep passion, but they ultimately lead to feelings of sorrow and self-awareness.

 

Q7. What is the structure of Sonnet 118?

A7. Sonnet 118 is written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet with 14 lines, divided into three quatrains and a final rhyming couplet. It follows iambic pentameter, where each line consists of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.

 

Q8. What literary devices are used in Sonnet 118?

A8.

• Alliteration: “Sicken to shun sickness” (line 4).

• Imagery: Vivid descriptions such as “bitter sauces” and “ne’er-cloying sweetness” engage the reader’s senses.

• Metaphor: The speaker compares the relationship to a physical ailment that requires medicine.

• Enjambment: Lines flow into one another without pause, creating a conversational tone.

 

Q9. How does the speaker describe the Fair Youth’s “sweetness”?

A9. The speaker describes the Fair Youth’s sweetness as “ne’er-cloying,” meaning it is endlessly pleasant and satisfying. However, this overwhelming sweetness makes the speaker feel suffocated, leading him to seek relief through metaphorical “bitter sauces.”

 

Q10. Why does the speaker refer to “policy in love”?

A10. The phrase “policy in love” refers to the speaker’s attempt to use foresight and strategy to avoid potential problems in his relationship. By anticipating possible ills, he tries to prevent them, but this over-cautiousness creates new issues instead.

 

Q11. What does the line “We sicken to shun sickness when we purge” mean?

A11. This line suggests that efforts to prevent illness—such as using purgatives—can ironically make a person sick. It is a metaphor for the speaker’s actions in the relationship, where his efforts to preempt problems only create harm.

 

Q12. How does the speaker use the idea of “medicine” in the sonnet?

A12. The speaker uses medicine as a metaphor for the actions he takes to maintain or improve the relationship. He describes trying to cure a “healthy state” of love by introducing new elements (like other lovers or experiences), but these actions “poison” the relationship rather than strengthening it.

 

Q13. What role does regret play in the poem?

A13. Regret is central to the speaker’s reflection. He acknowledges that his decisions, made out of caution and a desire to enhance love, were misguided. This regret highlights his realization of how he contributed to the deterioration of their bond.

 

Q14. What is the purpose of the final couplet?

A14. The final couplet serves as the volta (turn) of the sonnet, summarizing the speaker’s realization. He learns that his metaphorical “drugs”—attempts to cure perceived issues—were actually poisons, worsening the relationship rather than improving it.

 

Q15. How does the theme of infidelity manifest in the sonnet?

A15. Infidelity is hinted at in the speaker’s reference to “bitter sauces” and seeking other companions or lovers to refresh his palate. These actions symbolize betrayal, even if subtle, and contribute to the emotional rift between the speaker and the Fair Youth.

 

Q16. How does Sonnet 118 fit within the context of Shakespeare’s Fair Youth sequence?

A16. Sonnet 118 reflects a period of tension and self-reflection within the Fair Youth sequence. While earlier sonnets celebrate the beauty and virtues of the Youth, this sonnet deals with conflict, misjudgment, and the complexities of maintaining a romantic relationship.

 

Q17. What does the phrase “rank of goodness” suggest?

A17. The phrase “rank of goodness” refers to a state of excessive goodness or perfection that has become overwhelming. The speaker suggests that this excessive sweetness or perfection needs to be “cured” but regrets his misguided attempt to do so.

 

Q18. What does the sonnet reveal about human relationships?

A18. The sonnet explores the fragility of relationships and how overthinking or mistrust can lead to unnecessary complications. It suggests that sometimes, in trying to protect or enhance love, people can inadvertently harm it, revealing the delicate balance required to maintain intimacy.

 

Q19. What lesson can be drawn from the sonnet?

A19. The sonnet teaches that excessive caution or intervention in a healthy relationship can backfire. It warns against overanalyzing or trying to preemptively fix issues, as these actions can create problems that weren’t there to begin with.

 

Q20. How does Shakespeare use contrasts in the poem?

A20. Shakespeare uses contrasts between sweetness and bitterness, health and sickness, and medicine and poison to highlight the complexities of the speaker’s emotions and actions. These contrasts underscore the irony of the speaker’s attempts to improve his relationship, which ultimately lead to its deterioration.

 

 

Lines 1-2:

Just as we, to sharpen our appetites, Stimulate our palates with strong mixtures;

Q1. What does the speaker mean by “sharpen our appetites”?

A1. The speaker refers to how people use strong or intense flavors to enhance their desire for food, metaphorically alluding to the idea of introducing variety or excitement into a relationship.

Q2. What is the significance of “strong mixtures”?

A2. “Strong mixtures” symbolizes the introduction of bold or contrasting elements, possibly representing new experiences or people, to reinvigorate passion in love.

 

Lines 3-4:

Just so, to prevent illnesses we have not foreseen, We become sick by purging to avoid sickness.

Q3. How does the speaker relate this line to love?

A3. The speaker draws a parallel between overusing preventative measures, like purging, to avoid sickness and overcorrecting in a relationship, which ironically creates new problems.

Q4. What is the irony in these lines?

A4. The irony lies in how the act of trying to prevent harm (illness or issues in love) causes more harm than the original problem.

 

Lines 5-6:

Even so, being full of your sweetness, which is never too much, I ate bitter sauces to help my appetite;

Q5. What does “full of your sweetness” signify?

A5. This represents the speaker’s overwhelming love and admiration for the Fair Youth, which, despite its perfection, begins to feel excessive or suffocating.

Q6. Why does the speaker turn to “bitter sauces”?

A6. The speaker seeks something contrasting, such as other relationships or distractions, to balance or refresh his emotional state.

 

Lines 7-8:

And, sick of good health, found it suitable To make myself sick before I actually became sick.

Q7. What does “sick of good health” imply?

A7. The speaker paradoxically feels weary or restless in a state of contentment, suggesting that perfection in love can lead to dissatisfaction.

Q8. What does the speaker mean by “make myself sick before I actually became sick”?

A8. This reflects the speaker’s preemptive actions to avoid problems, such as seeking distractions, even though no real issue existed initially.

 

Lines 9-10:

This cunning strategy of love, to anticipate Future problems, became a problem in itself,

Q9. How does the speaker describe his approach to love?

A9. The speaker acknowledges using a calculated, strategic approach to anticipate potential issues in love, which ultimately backfires.

Q10. What does the speaker mean by “became a problem in itself”?

A10. By trying to fix hypothetical problems, the speaker unintentionally created actual issues in the relationship.

 

Lines 11-12:

And caused a healthy state to need medicine Which, full of goodness, would be cured by badness;

Q11. What does the speaker mean by “a healthy state to need medicine”?

A11. The speaker refers to how his unnecessary interventions disrupted a previously harmonious relationship, creating problems that required resolution.

Q12. How is “goodness cured by badness” interpreted?

A12. This suggests that attempts to fix a perfect relationship through misguided actions brought about harm, highlighting the destructive impact of unnecessary interference.

 

Lines 13-14:

And from this I learn, and find the lesson true, Medicine poison him who became sick of you.

Q13. What lesson does the speaker learn?

A13. The speaker realizes that his attempts to preemptively fix his relationship were like taking unnecessary medicine, which ultimately poisoned the love he shared with the Fair Youth.

Q14. How does the speaker use “medicine” and “poison” metaphorically?

A14. Medicine symbolizes efforts to correct or improve the relationship, while poison represents the unintended harm caused by those actions.