Paraphrase the sonnet, translating it word-for-word into simple, clear modern English prose. Pay attention to the sentence, not the line, as the principal unit of organization. Look for the main subject and verb to straighten out the syntax where you need to.
Summarize the sonnet into one-or two-sentences.
Context & Tone: Who is speaking and why? What situation or event inspired the poet to write the sonnet? What is the speaker’s attitude towards his topic?