Answer:
I really liked this question. This gives me a lot to think about.
Explanation:
It depends on what age you are and if you are presently experiencing the hardship. If you are very young or very old, than it is my belief that people will pity you more than believe in you. If you are between 25-50 years old, I believe that people will expect more from you, and pity you less. If you had hardships in your past, people will expect more of you now, because you have gained form your experience. If not, they will not have as much confidence or expectations of you.
While the poems were written centuries apart, they have many similarities. Both poems are sonnets that use comparisons but in an unusual way. Each tells what the love is not lovelier than. Both poems use imagery involving nature, and both use vivid word choice. While Millay does state her love is not more beautiful than "small white poppies," she "bend[s] before" him in awe. Shakespeare makes a point of stating that his love is an ordinary woman, not a goddess. Both poets use careful diction and poetic language. Shakespeare uses "hath," and inverts sentences. Millay uses "thy" and "thou" along with other archaic words. Her line, "lovelier than lilacs" is an example of her choosing words for their sound as much as their meaning. The lines "day by day unto his draught/of delicate poison adds him one drop more" also illustrates her concern for the sound of the poem. Love and lovers seem little changed over the centuries!
