When in a relationship with someone, are we so blinded by love or beauty that we are oblivious to even the most detrimental flaw? In William Shakespeares poem Sonnet 18: Shall I Compare Thee to A Summers Day? he does just that, but implies that his beloved exceeds the beauty of a summers day because of its slightest imperfections. Shakespeare believes that his beloved is more lovely and steady than a summers day; the sun is too hot and is sometimes hidden by clouds, its beauty short-lived, however, the beauty and youth of Shakespeares beloved will not fade. He expresses love for him/her even beyond the day that death do them part. Can love today be compared to the unconditional love expressed in Shakespeares Sonnet? .
Love in Shakespeares day was traditional, pure and true. Men were bread winners for the family and women were submissive to their spouse. Nevertheless, times have changed and women are more aggressive in both the home and workforce. However, this should not take away from the truth and purity of real love. Some women today are so caught up in being independent and never needing a man for anything that she intimidates men with her success. Meanwhile, other women look for nothing more in a man than money. His ability to cater to her every financial need whether constructive or recreational is a huge factor and she will settle for nothing less than a man she can depend on; which is appealing to a man who wants to fully control a woman. Some men believe that wife is defined as a slave to children, the kitchen and mans sexual desires. Surely this is not the love of Shakespeares time.
Relationships are not taken seriously anymore. Often, the effort put into a relationship is one sided, one person putting in more than the other. More often, one person in the relationship is used or mistreated. Even more often, there is infidelity on both sides; women are repeatedly forgiving men who in turn wont do the same or vice versa.
