Why could one say that "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day"? presents contrast rather than comparison?

The poem I am referencing in quotations is by Shakespeare.

What is the difference between compare and contrast?

http://www.onelook.com/

That will answer it.

We will be happy to critique your thinking.

To analyze why "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" presents contrast rather than comparison, we need to examine the content and structure of the poem.

First, we should understand that although the poem's title may suggest a comparison, the actual content of the poem reveals a contrasting nature. Let's break it down:

1. Lines 1-4: The speaker asks whether he should compare the beloved to a summer's day, implying that such a comparison might be expected. However, the use of "Shall I" suggests hesitation or uncertainty.

2. Lines 5-8: The speaker outlines the imperfections and limitations of a summer's day, noting that it is temporary and subject to change. This juxtaposition reveals the contrast between the beloved and the qualities typically associated with a summer's day.

3. Lines 9-12: The speaker then highlights the everlasting beauty of the beloved, contrasting it with the transient nature of a summer's day. The idea expressed here emphasizes the superiority of the beloved over the comparison.

4. Lines 13-14: Finally, the speaker concludes that the beloved's beauty will live on forever through the power of poetry, further emphasizing the contrast between the beloved's immortality and the temporary nature of a summer's day.

Thus, "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" ultimately presents a contrast rather than a comparison by highlighting the shortcomings of a summer's day compared to the eternal beauty of the beloved.

To reach this conclusion, one can closely examine the poem's textual evidence, paying attention to the comparisons and contrasting elements. By dissecting the poem's structure, analyzing the speaker's tone and intentions, and closely reading the lines, a reader can uncover the contrast being conveyed.