William Shakespeare's Sonnets:
Introduction:
Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets altogether. He wrote these sonnets between 1592 to 1598. All were first published in a quarto in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe except the sonnets 138 and 144 which were previously published with 'The Passionate Pilgrim' in 1599.
The sonnets carry a dedication to William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke. The sonnets have three quatrains of four lines and a couplet and follow the rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg.
The first 126 sonnets addressed to a Fair Youth. Critics claim the Fair Youth might be Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton.
And the sonnets 127-154 are addressed to a Dark Lady who might be Mary Fitton. These 154 sonnets can be categorized as following:
The sonnets carry a dedication to William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke. The sonnets have three quatrains of four lines and a couplet and follow the rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg.
The first 126 sonnets addressed to a Fair Youth. Critics claim the Fair Youth might be Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton.
And the sonnets 127-154 are addressed to a Dark Lady who might be Mary Fitton. These 154 sonnets can be categorized as following:
Procreation Sonnets:
Sonnets 1-17 are called 'Procreation Sonnets', since these sonnets urge the Fair Youth to marry and have children.
Sonnets of Love and Admiration:
Sonnets 18-126 reveal the poet's Love and Respect for the youth.
Sonnets on Dark Lady:
Sonnets 127-152 are of the sexual relationship of the poet with Dark Lady.
On Love God Cupid:
The last two sonnets have reference to the little Love God Cupid. An allegorical treatment of Greek Epigrams.
