"Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May" Analysis?

In sonnet 18, does the line "Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May" have:

  1. personification
  2. imagery
  3. metaphor
  4. or all of the above?

Thanks!

1 Answer
lechugamaestro19
May 20, 2018

2) Imagery

Explanation:

1. Personification

There is nothing being personified in the quote. The rough winds are not being personified; they perform an action, yes, but it's not an essentially human action like talking. The buds of May are also not being personified. Something non-human can be darling.

3. Metaphor

Is there figurative language here? Not that I can see. Winds can be literally rough, and they can literally shake something. Anything can be "darling", if somebody views it that way.

4. All of the above

If any one option can be eliminated, this is evidently not the answer.

This leaves

2. Imagery

The line puts forth a vivid image. You understand what he's describing, and you can visualize it in your mind. This is therefore the best answer.

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