Sonnet 144 To investigate the identity of Shakespeare’s muses To explore and understand Shakespeare’s use of language in Sonnet 144

A Muse The Muses are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts in Greek mythology. They were considered the source of the knowledge used in the poetry, lyric songs, and myths of ancient cultures. Muse can refer in general to a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician.

What is Shakespeare saying in this sonnet? Two loves I have, of comfort and despair, Which like two spirits do suggest me still: The better angel is a man right fair; The worser spirit a woman coloured ill. To win me soon to hell my female evil Tempteth my better angel from my side, And would corrupt my saint to be a devil, Wooing his purity with her foul pride. And whether that my angel be turned fiend Suspect I may, yet not directly tell, But being both from me, both to each friend, I guess one angel in another's hell.     Yet this shall I ne'er know, but live in doubt,     Till my bad angel fire my good one out. What is Shakespeare saying in this sonnet?

What is 144 about? One view (originated in 19th Century) is that all of Shakespeare’s sonnets contain autobiographical information about him. Sonnet 144 is thought to be about Shakespeare being caught in love triangle between the Fair Youth and the Dark Lady.

Subject of Shakespeare’s Sonnets The Poet: It is assumed the speaker is Shakespeare himself. The Fair Youth: “A man right fair” Sonnets 1-126 are about this same person. The Dark Lady: “a woman coloured ill” Sonnets 127-154 are about this same person: the Dark Lady

Thomas Thorpe, the publisher Who is Mr W.H.? The dedication page Thomas Thorpe, the publisher

Shakespeare's Fair Youth Candidate No. 1 Sonnets 1-126 Assumed by many that the Fair Youth is the same Mr W.H. in the dedication (though this is not proven) William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke Shakespeare dedicated his First Folio to him Initials make sense (Mr W.H.), but Earls are not addressed as “Mr”

Shakespeare's Fair Youth Candidate No. 2 Sonnets 1-126 Henry Wriothesley (“Rose-ley”), Earl of Southampton Shakespeare already dedicated two other poems to him (proven) Did Shakespeare reverse his initials in an attempt to be discreet? (H.W.  Mr W.H. ?) Earls are not addressed as “Mr”

Shakespeare's Dark Lady Sonnets 127-154 So called because Shakespeare repeatedly references her “dark” hair, eyes and skin. (This was a time when almost everyone in England was white, and most were fair-haired.) She was not his wife, Anne Hathaway. A few names have been suggested, mostly aristocrats/relatives of Queen Elizabeth I Was she real or a figment of Shakespeare’s imagination?

Muses in Sonnet 144 Highlight everything about/directed to the ‘Fair Youth’ in one colour Highlight everything about/directed to the ‘Dark Lady’ in a different colour. How does the poet feel about each person? Which person does he feel more strongly about, and why? Does he “love” both of them? If so, does he love them the same way or differently?

What are Shakespeare’s feelings toward his muses? Compare the language used when speaking about the Fair Youth & Dark Lady Remember to include in each blended PEELA: Connectives to link the two different paragraphs Two point, including the techniques used and their purpose. At least two pieces of evidence that support the points An explanation of the figurative and literal meaning of both pieces of evidence An analysis of the language used, including the connotations of keywords An analysis of the techniques used, including the effect of the techniques An analysis of the Shakespeare's intentions, including their effect on the reader An explanation of how the two pieces of evidence are similar and/or different