Final answer:
To memorize Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18," start by reading the poem aloud for a general sense of its tone and style, and then analyze the speaker, situation, and subject. Memorize gradually, focusing on understanding and recalling each part before moving on to the next.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once you have chosen to memorize and recite Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18," the initial step is to read the poem out loud to understand its larger qualities like tone, mood, and style.
- It is beneficial to look up any unfamiliar words to grasp their meanings and take note of striking phrases or sections that you do not understand.
- This process aids in recognizing the poem's structure and thematic elements.
- The next step is to delve into the poem by considering questions about the speaker, the situation, and the subject of the poem.
- Exploring the tone, diction, and mood will deepen your understanding.
- Writing a brief summary of the poem can assist in comprehending its central statement and its constituent parts.
For an effective memorization strategy, begin by committing the first few lines to memory and discussing their significance, considering the speaker and the situation.
- Then, continue with subsequent parts of the poem, noting literary devices used and explaining their impact on the poem's meaning.
- Pay attention to sound and sense, rhythm, and meaning as you memorize one part at a time.
- Revisit sections with shifts in tone or subject matter, and work your way through the poem slowly, repeating this process until you have memorized the entire poem.