William Shakespeare
Sonnets

The Sonnets of William Shakespeare

  • What is a sonnet?

  • How many sonnets did William Shakespeare write?

  • What were the themes of the Sonnets?

  • Dedications? Payments?

  • What are the most popular sonnets?

  • Interesting information about the Sonnets of Shakespeare

The 'Chandos' Picture of
William Shakespeare

 

William Shakespeare Sonnets

WHAT ARE SONNETS?

  • Sonnets are fourteen-line lyrical poems

  • This form of poetry originated in Italy

  • They were introduced to England during the Tudor era by Sir Thomas Wyatt

THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE SONNETS

  • There is no documented evidence recording of when the sonnets were all written

  • Therefore there is some doubt as to their true authorship!

  • It is, however, certain that Shakespeare had written some of the sonnets as in 1598 a certain Francis Meres made reference to Shakespeare as "his sugared sonnets among his private friends."

  • Meres appears to be criticising Shakespeare for fawning to his potential patrons

THE THEMES OF THE SONNETS

  • The themes of the Sonnets are about love

  • They appear to be dedicated to a handsome boy and a rival poet together with a mysterious and aloof "dark" lady that they both love

  • The sonnets are numbered and fall into three categories:

    • Sonnets 1 to 126 are addressed to or concern a young man

    • Sonnets 127-152 are addressed to or concern a dark lady

    • Sonnets 153-154 are free adaptations of two classical Greek poems

  • The Sonnets can be accessed in full by clicking the following link:

THE PUBLICATION OF THE SONNETS BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

  • His collection of Sonnets were published in a book called "a Booke called Shakespeare's sonnettes".

  • The Sonnets appeared, without Shakespeare's permission, in 1609

  • The 1609 quarto, entitled Shake­speares Sonnets, was published by Thomas Thorpe on May 20, 1609

  • Thomas Thorpe was granted a license to publish "a Booke called Shakespeare's sonnettes" and this entry is in the Stationer's Register

  • Thorpe appeared to be 'cashing-in' on Shakespeare's name!

William Shakespeare Sonnets

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