SONNETS I Overview
Author Type
William Shakespeare Poetry
Year Published Genre
1609 Fiction
At a Glance
Shakespeare is credited with writing 154 sonnets, which were published in a single volume in 1609. This study
guide looks at 30 of the most famous sonnets. In the tradition of courtly love, sonnets were written from a male
lover to a female beloved, as in the cases of the English poets Edmund Spenser (1552/3–99) and Sir Philip
Sidney (1554–86), both writing just prior to and contemporary with Shakespeare. Although it is not clear to
whom Shakespeare's sonnets are addressed, it is usually thought that most of the first 126 sonnets seem to
address a fair youth (sometimes referred to as a handsome young man), while most of the latter sonnets were
addressed to a dark lady. Although many of the sonnets use the conventions and rhetorical stances of courtly
love, there is no way of knowing whether they are expressions of genuine romantic love by Shakespeare for a
particular person.
Sonnets of Shakespeare | Sonnet 12 |
Themes:
1. Time and Mortality: The sonnet begins with reflections on time, symbolized by the ticking clock and
natural decay.
2. Nature as a Metaphor: Shakespeare uses imagery from nature—violets past their prime, trees
shedding leaves, and harvested fields—to evoke the inevitability of aging and death.
3. Legacy through Procreation: The poet suggests that the only way to defy time is through progeny,
which continues one's beauty and essence.
Structure:
The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, with 14 lines structured as three quatrains and a
rhymed couplet, following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Notable Imagery and Symbols:
• The Clock: Represents the relentless passage of time.
• Night and Day: Signify life’s cycle from vitality to mortality.
• Harvest: Symbolizes the culmination of life and the inevitability of its end.
Final Message:
The sonnet concludes with a poignant assertion that while beauty fades and time spares no one, creating new
life offers a form of immortality. The "breed" (offspring) serves as a defense against "Time’s scythe," a metaphor
for death.
Sonnets of Shakespeare | Sonnet 18 |
Summary:
Sonnet 18 begins with the speaker contemplating whether to compare the beauty of the poem's subject to a
summer’s day. The speaker quickly dismisses the comparison, noting that summer is imperfect and fleeting: its
winds can be harsh, its duration is short, and it can be too hot or clouded over. Unlike summer, the subject’s
beauty is eternal and unchanging. The speaker assures that this beauty will never fade or be forgotten because
it will be preserved forever in the poem. As long as people read the sonnet, the subject’s essence will live on,
transcending even death.
Analysis:
Sonnet 18 is a masterful exploration of beauty, time, and immortality, often considered one of Shakespeare's
most famous works.
1. Structure and Format:
o The poem follows the Shakespearean sonnet structure of 14 lines, composed of three quatrains
and a concluding rhymed couplet, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
o Despite this, it retains the influence of the Petrarchan sonnet in posing a problem in the octave
(the first 8 lines) and resolving it in the sestet (the final 6 lines).
2. Themes:
o Transient Nature of Beauty: The imperfections of summer symbolize the temporary nature of
earthly beauty.
o Immortality Through Art: The speaker asserts that art (in this case, the sonnet) is a human
achievement that can transcend time and mortality, preserving the subject’s beauty forever.
3. Volta (Turn):
o The volta, a shift in argument or tone, occurs in line 9 with “But thy eternal summer shall not
fade.” Here, the speaker transitions from lamenting the fleeting nature of summer and beauty to
celebrating the subject’s eternal beauty.
4. Imagery and Symbolism:
o Summer as a Metaphor: Summer symbolizes transient beauty, emphasizing its imperfections
through wind, brevity, and clouds.
o Eternal Summer: Represents the subject’s enduring and perfect beauty, contrasted with
nature’s impermanence.
o Death and Immortality: The personification of Death as a shade and the use of “eternal lines”
underline the power of poetry to defy mortality.
5. Humanist Perspective:
o The sonnet reflects Renaissance humanism, celebrating human creativity and the enduring
power of art. The speaker’s belief that the poem can immortalize the subject’s beauty highlights
confidence in human achievement.
6. Self-Referential Motif:
o Shakespeare directly references the act of writing, calling attention to the poem itself as the
medium of immortality. The "eternal lines to time" signify the enduring nature of the sonnet and
its ability to grant immortality to its subject.
Final Message:
Sonnet 18 asserts the timeless power of art. While physical beauty fades, the written word can preserve it for
eternity. By immortalizing the subject through poetry, the speaker affirms that the subject will live on in the
minds of readers as long as the poem endures.
Sonnets of Shakespeare | Sonnet 130 |
Summary:
In Sonnet 130, the speaker humorously subverts traditional poetic conventions of beauty. He rejects the
exaggerated comparisons used by poets of his time to describe their beloveds. Instead of portraying his
mistress as having sparkling eyes, ruby-red lips, or snow-white skin, he describes her with realistic and
unconventional attributes: her eyes are ordinary, her lips are a dull pink, her skin has a grayish-brown tone, her
hair is thick and wiry, and her breath is earthy rather than sweet. He also notes that her voice, though pleasant,
lacks a musical quality, and she walks heavily rather than gracefully. Despite these seemingly unflattering
descriptions, the speaker concludes by affirming that his love for her is as genuine and special as any other,
dismissing the hyperbolic and idealized standards of beauty often celebrated by other poets.
Analysis:
1. Structure:
o The sonnet adheres to the Shakespearean form, consisting of 14 lines with three quatrains
followed by a rhymed couplet (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
o The rhymed couplet at the end delivers the resolution, asserting the sincerity of the speaker’s
love.
2. Themes:
o Realism vs. Idealism: Shakespeare challenges the overly idealized descriptions of women
found in traditional sonnets, emphasizing the beauty of authenticity.
o Individuality and Genuine Love: The speaker’s love is grounded in reality, valuing his mistress
as a unique individual rather than an unattainable ideal.
o Humor and Satire: The sonnet playfully critiques poetic traditions, exposing the absurdity of
exaggerated comparisons.
3. Imagery and Tone:
o Imagery: The speaker uses earthy, grounded descriptions to paint a vivid picture of his mistress:
dull-colored lips, wiry hair, and unperfumed breath. These details contrast with the
romanticized imagery typical of courtly love poetry.
o Tone: The tone is humorous and lighthearted, blending affectionate teasing with sincere
admiration.
4. Subversion of Courtly Love Traditions:
o Shakespeare mocks the tendency of courtly love poetry to idealize women, describing them as
goddesses or celestial beings. Instead, his portrayal of a "real" woman highlights her humanity
and makes her more relatable and genuine.
o The poem deconstructs unrealistic beauty standards and celebrates imperfection as part of
true love.
5. Volta (Turn):
o The volta occurs in the final rhymed couplet:
"And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare."
o Here, the speaker reveals that his realistic descriptions do not diminish his love but instead
underscore its authenticity. His mistress is just as special as any woman falsely idealized
through exaggerated comparisons.
6. Historical and Literary Context:
o Dark Lady: Sonnet 130 is part of Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady” sequence, where the poet
describes a mysterious woman with dark features. This stands in contrast to the fair-skinned,
light-haired women idealized in Renaissance poetry.
o Critique of Convention: The sonnet reflects Shakespeare's departure from the Petrarchan
tradition of unattainable and uniform ideals, focusing instead on the individuality and reality of
his subject.
Final Message:
Sonnet 130 humorously yet sincerely conveys that true love does not depend on idealized beauty. By rejecting
unrealistic comparisons, Shakespeare celebrates a more profound, grounded, and authentic form of love that
values a person for who they are, imperfections and all.
Sonnets of Shakespeare I 144 I
Summary
In Sonnet 144, the speaker explores the tension between two allegorical "loves" in their life: one represents
goodness and purity (a "better angel," symbolized as a fair man), and the other represents temptation and
corruption (a "worse spirit," symbolized as a dark woman). The speaker sees these two figures as spiritual
forces pulling in opposite directions.
The woman, the "worser spirit," is described as actively trying to seduce and corrupt the "better angel,"
attempting to turn him into a devil. This struggle leaves the speaker in a state of uncertainty and torment, as
they cannot confirm whether the man has been corrupted by the woman. The sonnet ends on a note of despair
and unresolved tension, with the speaker guessing at betrayal but unable to prove it.
Analysis
1. Structure and Form:
o The poem follows the Shakespearean sonnet structure: 14 lines, written in iambic pentameter,
with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
o The final rhymed couplet offers a bleak resolution, emphasizing the speaker's perpetual
uncertainty.
2. Themes:
o Conflict Between Good and Evil: The sonnet personifies virtue and vice as two distinct
people—the fair man and the dark woman—reflecting the speaker's inner moral and emotional
struggle.
o Love and Jealousy: The speaker is tormented by jealousy and doubt, imagining the possibility of
betrayal and corruption.
o Ambiguity and Doubt: The poem explores the inability to know the truth, leaving the speaker
trapped in a cycle of suspicion and anguish.
3. Symbolism and Imagery:
o "Better Angel" and "Worse Spirit": These figures represent moral forces of good and evil but
also serve as representations of the speaker’s complex relationships with the fair man and the
dark lady.
o Hell and Fire: These recurring motifs emphasize temptation, sin, and the torment of unfulfilled
love.
o Corruption and Purity: The woman's "foul pride" and the man's "purity" underscore the tension
between idealized love and its fallibility.
4. Tone:
o The tone is dark, conflicted, and anguished, reflecting the speaker’s torment over their inability
to reconcile their feelings and fears about the relationships.
5. Interpretations:
o The Fair Youth and the Dark Lady: The poem is often interpreted as part of the sonnet
sequence addressing Shakespeare's relationships with the Fair Youth (a young man of striking
beauty) and the Dark Lady (a mysterious, morally ambiguous woman).
o Betrayal and Rivalry: The speaker's suspicion of betrayal between these two figures may reflect
personal experiences or serve as an allegory for moral and emotional conflict.
6. Volta (Turn):
o The volta occurs in line 9 with “And whether that my angel be turned fiend,” where the focus
shifts from describing the struggle between the two figures to the speaker's doubt and inability
to discern the truth.
Final Message
Sonnet 144 portrays the speaker's inner turmoil as they grapple with love, jealousy, and morality. The fair man
and the dark woman symbolize opposing forces of purity and corruption, leaving the speaker trapped in
uncertainty and despair. This sonnet powerfully reflects the complexities of human relationships, moral
conflict, and emotional vulnerability.
