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 18-126: express poet’s love for a young man. Some say it is platonic, others say romantic Sonnets 127-152: express love for poet’s mistress Sonnets 153-154: 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!