1. Shakespeare’s Sonnet Series

2. 154 poems
Themes: love, beauty, politics, morality
First published in a 1609 collection
Shakespeare’s name is hyphenated (Shake-speare) at bottom of every page, sparking controversy over whether or not he actually wrote the poems
Some believe the sonnets are autobiographical, others think they are works of fiction

3. Structure
Sonnets 1-17: “procreation sonnets” written to a young man, urging him to marry
Sonnets : express poet’s love for a young man. Some say it is platonic, others say romantic
Sonnets : express love for poet’s mistress
Sonnets : allegories

4. Characters Fair Youth: the young man
Dark Lady: woman poet had an affair with, has dark hair
Rival Poet: some think he is Christopher Marlowe

5. Historical Significance
Violated many sonnet “rules” of the time: themes other than love, political events, making fun of other poets
This paved the way for future poets
Some think series is a parody of Petrarch’s form, with Dark Lady being the stereotypical Fair Lady and a male muse rather than a female one

6. Now analyze Sonnet 18!