Why Is William Shakespeare Still Today
Sean Ferry
Pre-AP English 9
William Shakespeare wrote many great works of literature in his lifetime including plays, narrative poems, and sonnets. Shakespeare’s works are studied and popularized for their thrilling language, deep understanding of humanity, and tolerance of all people (“Shakespeare, William,” par. 2). Shakespeare’s sonnets continue to be some of the best known and most popular sonnets still today. Generations of people have become infatuated with the sonnets due to their interestingly complex story. Shakespeare’s sonnets tell a compelling story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness between an author and a young man.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April of 1564 to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. John …show more content…
Shakespeare was a tanner and a glove maker, and served a term as mayor. Little is known of Mary Shakespeare other than that she came from a more wealthy background. William went to Grammar school in Stratford, but little else is known about his youth. It is speculated that based on the content of his plays that he acquired knowledge of the outdoors, fowl, and small mammals in his youth. In November of 1582, Shakespeare, age 18, married Anne Hathaway who was 7-8 years older than him. Shakespeare’s first child, a daughter named Susanna, was born in 1583. Anne also gave birth to twins Hamnet and Judith in 1585. Shakespeare may have done many things in the period of 1583- 1592 including teaching, practicing law, or acting. By 1592 Shakespeare had made it to London and was recognized as an actor and a writer of plays. Shakespeare retired from theater in 1610, and moved back to Stratford. He died in April of 1616 at the age of 52 and was buried at the Church of Holy Trinity in Stratford (“Shakespeare, William,” par.1-22). Before his death, a book of his sonnets was published, and they became very popular in their posthumous state.
A sonnet is a poem which expresses a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, and is fourteen lines, usually in iambic pentameter.
Sonnets originated in Italy and were written in classic Italian form divided into a major group of eight lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of six lines (the sestet). In the Tudor period sonnets were introduced to England by Sir Thomas Wyatt. The English rhyme scheme of sonnets was made up of four quatrains followed by a couplet (William Shakespeare’s Sonnets, 1). Some famous sonneteers of the Elizabethan age include George Gascoigne (1525-1577), Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), Edmund Spenser (1552-1599), and William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Shakespeare wrote 154 published sonnets in his lifetime. The first book of Shakespeare’s sonnets was published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe without the permission of Shakespeare. It was printed by George Eld and advertised as “Never before imprinted” (William Shakespeare’s Sonnets, 1). Most of Shakespeare’s early sonnets were believed to have been written between 1592 and 1594 when most of the theaters were shut down because of the plague (“Shakespeare, William”, par.14). Shakespeare’s modern language helps add to the understanding of the
sonnets. In 152 of 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, it is commonly believed that Shakespeare told a true autobiographic story. The Story tells of a close friendship with a nobleman who stole his sweetheart and befriended a rival poet, but he is forgiven in the end. The identities of the people involved are speculated but unknown (“Shakespeare, William”, par.30). The first 126 sonnets (in published order) are addressing the young man/ handsome boy. The word “time” appears 78 times in sonnets 1-126 and never appears again in the sonnets (Delahoyde, 1). Sonnets 1-17 urge the young man to marry and procreate. Sonnets 18-26 pay tribute to the young man, and show strong love, while sonnets 27-32, 36-39, and 43- 55 indicate sorrow at the separation of the two. The next “group” is sonnets 56-58 and 61 which speak of loneliness. World corruption, time and beauty, and death are the topics of sonnets 59-60, 62-74, 81, and 94-96. Sonnets 75-77 praise the friend as an inspiration, while 78-80 and 82-86 reproach the friend for bestowing favors upon a rival poet. Sonnets 87-93 regret the loss of the friend’s confidence and 97-103 and113-114 recount another absence of the friend. Sonnets104-108 as well as sonnets 115 and116 are congratulatory, and 109-112 and 116- 126 seek the restoration of the friendship between the poet and the man (Delahoyde, 2). The sonnets show a progression of the friendship, and possible homosexual undertones as the relationship gains intensity, according to Doctor Michael Delahoyde (2). The sonnets refer to a man of “high birth” which leads Dr. Delahoyde to believe the identity of the poet is the Earl of Oxford. The sonnets also “allude to his… age, lameness (as self-described in Oxford’s letters), disgrace (he served time in the Tower of London), his being a target of “vulgar scandal” (the accusation of Oxford’s “buggering boys”), legal material… ([His] letters use over 50 of 200 legal terms appearing in the sonnets) according to Dr. Delahoyde (3-4). Sonnets 33-35, 40-42, and 127-152 are addressed to/ concern the Dark Lady. Sonnets 33-35 and 40-42 concern the dark lady and the friend, and male friendship vs. love between the sexes, which was a common Renaissance theme. Sonnets 127-128 and 130 give taunting compliments to the Dark Lady, while 129, 146, 147, and 152 bitterly reject her. Sonnets 135, 137, and143 make a pun of the name “Will” whether it was the poet’s real name or not. The Dark Lady may have been dark skinned or have simply had dark hair, but many women have been speculated including Lady Penelope Rich, Mary Fitton, Anne Hathaway, Mrs. Jane Devanant, and an African prostitute whose name was Lucy. Separate from the story of sonnets 1-152, sonnets 153 and 154 were interpretations of Greek epigrams discussing the hot springs at Bath. One of Shakespeare’s most popular sonnets, sonnet 126, is in the group which addresses the handsome man. The sonnet more specifically seeks the rekindling of the poet and the handsome man’s friendship. Unlike most of his other sonnets, 126 only contains 12 lines and is written in six couplets instead of the Standard English scheme (Delahoyde, 2-3). In modern terms Shakespeare’s sonnet 126 can be interpreted as “Oh you, my lovely boy, who has power over time’s affect upon his appearance, and power over its ability to take life, who has grown younger as he aged, showing in the process how time has affected your lover while you remain beautiful. If nature, who has authority over destruction, decides to keep you from death, then she’s doing it to show she can disgrace time and its measurement. Still fear her, favorite of hers. She can slow her minion’s decay, but cannot stop it completely. Though it may be delayed, she must be accountable eventually, and the way she will pay her debt is to deliver you up.” The sonnet appears to be a farewell to the handsome man, who remains handsome though others have withered, and warns him to be wary of time.” Shakespeare also shows his fear and insecurity of his aging and getting closer to death, as well as his jealousy of the young man’s continued beauty, in lines 2-4 “[Thou] dost hold Time 's fickle glass, his sickle, hour; Who hast by waning grown, and therein show 'st, Thy lovers withering as thy sweet self grow 'st;”. John Bremer believes that the poet is telling the “Lovely Boy” eight main points as follows:
“1. You are no longer “my lovely Boy”, as you once were. 2. You have coupled freely with several partners.
3. You care nothing for your family name and heritage.
4. You couple now for money.
5. You do not couple for love or beauty.
6. Your marriage and your life are empty.
7. You may beget an heir, but not in love.
8. The Sonnets are ended” (par. 53-54).
Bremer goes on to say that sonnet 126 represents the end of the relationship between the Poet and the Lovely Boy. Sonnet 126 is a critical point in the story of the sonnets for that reason (43). Shakespeare’s sonnets tell a story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness in a way which makes them timelessly intriguing to read and interpret. Shakespeare’s sonnets tell of Shakespeare and the handsome man’s friendship, the handsome man’s betrayal for the rival poet, their feelings for the “dark lady”, and Shakespeare’s forgiveness of the young man. Shakespeare’s sonnet 126 helps to summarize Shakespeare and the handsome man’s friendship, and sheds light on Shakespeare’s insecurity about aging. The sonnets Shakespeare wrote are classic literature and shall be revered by literary minds for ages to come.
Works Cited
Bremer, John. “Sonnet 126: Shakespeare’s Farewell to his Lovely Boy”. Institute of Philosophy. Institute of Philosophy, 13 June 2011. Web. 18 May 2013.
Delahoyde, Dr. Michael. “Shake-Speare’s Sonnets.” Washington State University. Washington State University, n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.
Shakespeare, William. Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Poems. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat. New York: Washington Squares Publication, 2006. Print. “Shakespeare, William.” SIRS Discover. Compton’s by Britannica, 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnets. 2005. Web. 1 May 2013.
Works Consulted
Berryman, John. Berryman’s Shakespeare. Ed. John Haffenden. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1999. Print.
Sonnet 126
O thou, my lovely boy, who in thy pow 'r
Dost hold time’s fickle glass, his sickle hour,
Who hast by waning grown, and therein show’st
Thy lovers withering, as thy sweet self grow’st—
If nature, sovereign mistress over wrack,
As thou goest onwards still will pluck thee back,
She keeps thee to this purpose: that her skill
May time disgrace, and wretched minute kill.
Yet fear her, O thou minion of her pleasure;
She may detain, but not still keep, her treasure.
Her audit, though delayed, answered must be,
And her quietus is to render thee. ( ) ( )
Pre-AP English 9
William Shakespeare wrote many great works of literature in his lifetime including plays, narrative poems, and sonnets. Shakespeare’s works are studied and popularized for their thrilling language, deep understanding of humanity, and tolerance of all people (“Shakespeare, William,” par. 2). Shakespeare’s sonnets continue to be some of the best known and most popular sonnets still today. Generations of people have become infatuated with the sonnets due to their interestingly complex story. Shakespeare’s sonnets tell a compelling story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness between an author and a young man.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April of 1564 to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. John …show more content…
Shakespeare was a tanner and a glove maker, and served a term as mayor. Little is known of Mary Shakespeare other than that she came from a more wealthy background. William went to Grammar school in Stratford, but little else is known about his youth. It is speculated that based on the content of his plays that he acquired knowledge of the outdoors, fowl, and small mammals in his youth. In November of 1582, Shakespeare, age 18, married Anne Hathaway who was 7-8 years older than him. Shakespeare’s first child, a daughter named Susanna, was born in 1583. Anne also gave birth to twins Hamnet and Judith in 1585. Shakespeare may have done many things in the period of 1583- 1592 including teaching, practicing law, or acting. By 1592 Shakespeare had made it to London and was recognized as an actor and a writer of plays. Shakespeare retired from theater in 1610, and moved back to Stratford. He died in April of 1616 at the age of 52 and was buried at the Church of Holy Trinity in Stratford (“Shakespeare, William,” par.1-22). Before his death, a book of his sonnets was published, and they became very popular in their posthumous state.
A sonnet is a poem which expresses a single, complete thought, idea, or sentiment, and is fourteen lines, usually in iambic pentameter.
Sonnets originated in Italy and were written in classic Italian form divided into a major group of eight lines (the octave) followed by a minor group of six lines (the sestet). In the Tudor period sonnets were introduced to England by Sir Thomas Wyatt. The English rhyme scheme of sonnets was made up of four quatrains followed by a couplet (William Shakespeare’s Sonnets, 1). Some famous sonneteers of the Elizabethan age include George Gascoigne (1525-1577), Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), Edmund Spenser (1552-1599), and William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Shakespeare wrote 154 published sonnets in his lifetime. The first book of Shakespeare’s sonnets was published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe without the permission of Shakespeare. It was printed by George Eld and advertised as “Never before imprinted” (William Shakespeare’s Sonnets, 1). Most of Shakespeare’s early sonnets were believed to have been written between 1592 and 1594 when most of the theaters were shut down because of the plague (“Shakespeare, William”, par.14). Shakespeare’s modern language helps add to the understanding of the
sonnets. In 152 of 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, it is commonly believed that Shakespeare told a true autobiographic story. The Story tells of a close friendship with a nobleman who stole his sweetheart and befriended a rival poet, but he is forgiven in the end. The identities of the people involved are speculated but unknown (“Shakespeare, William”, par.30). The first 126 sonnets (in published order) are addressing the young man/ handsome boy. The word “time” appears 78 times in sonnets 1-126 and never appears again in the sonnets (Delahoyde, 1). Sonnets 1-17 urge the young man to marry and procreate. Sonnets 18-26 pay tribute to the young man, and show strong love, while sonnets 27-32, 36-39, and 43- 55 indicate sorrow at the separation of the two. The next “group” is sonnets 56-58 and 61 which speak of loneliness. World corruption, time and beauty, and death are the topics of sonnets 59-60, 62-74, 81, and 94-96. Sonnets 75-77 praise the friend as an inspiration, while 78-80 and 82-86 reproach the friend for bestowing favors upon a rival poet. Sonnets 87-93 regret the loss of the friend’s confidence and 97-103 and113-114 recount another absence of the friend. Sonnets104-108 as well as sonnets 115 and116 are congratulatory, and 109-112 and 116- 126 seek the restoration of the friendship between the poet and the man (Delahoyde, 2). The sonnets show a progression of the friendship, and possible homosexual undertones as the relationship gains intensity, according to Doctor Michael Delahoyde (2). The sonnets refer to a man of “high birth” which leads Dr. Delahoyde to believe the identity of the poet is the Earl of Oxford. The sonnets also “allude to his… age, lameness (as self-described in Oxford’s letters), disgrace (he served time in the Tower of London), his being a target of “vulgar scandal” (the accusation of Oxford’s “buggering boys”), legal material… ([His] letters use over 50 of 200 legal terms appearing in the sonnets) according to Dr. Delahoyde (3-4). Sonnets 33-35, 40-42, and 127-152 are addressed to/ concern the Dark Lady. Sonnets 33-35 and 40-42 concern the dark lady and the friend, and male friendship vs. love between the sexes, which was a common Renaissance theme. Sonnets 127-128 and 130 give taunting compliments to the Dark Lady, while 129, 146, 147, and 152 bitterly reject her. Sonnets 135, 137, and143 make a pun of the name “Will” whether it was the poet’s real name or not. The Dark Lady may have been dark skinned or have simply had dark hair, but many women have been speculated including Lady Penelope Rich, Mary Fitton, Anne Hathaway, Mrs. Jane Devanant, and an African prostitute whose name was Lucy. Separate from the story of sonnets 1-152, sonnets 153 and 154 were interpretations of Greek epigrams discussing the hot springs at Bath. One of Shakespeare’s most popular sonnets, sonnet 126, is in the group which addresses the handsome man. The sonnet more specifically seeks the rekindling of the poet and the handsome man’s friendship. Unlike most of his other sonnets, 126 only contains 12 lines and is written in six couplets instead of the Standard English scheme (Delahoyde, 2-3). In modern terms Shakespeare’s sonnet 126 can be interpreted as “Oh you, my lovely boy, who has power over time’s affect upon his appearance, and power over its ability to take life, who has grown younger as he aged, showing in the process how time has affected your lover while you remain beautiful. If nature, who has authority over destruction, decides to keep you from death, then she’s doing it to show she can disgrace time and its measurement. Still fear her, favorite of hers. She can slow her minion’s decay, but cannot stop it completely. Though it may be delayed, she must be accountable eventually, and the way she will pay her debt is to deliver you up.” The sonnet appears to be a farewell to the handsome man, who remains handsome though others have withered, and warns him to be wary of time.” Shakespeare also shows his fear and insecurity of his aging and getting closer to death, as well as his jealousy of the young man’s continued beauty, in lines 2-4 “[Thou] dost hold Time 's fickle glass, his sickle, hour; Who hast by waning grown, and therein show 'st, Thy lovers withering as thy sweet self grow 'st;”. John Bremer believes that the poet is telling the “Lovely Boy” eight main points as follows:
“1. You are no longer “my lovely Boy”, as you once were. 2. You have coupled freely with several partners.
3. You care nothing for your family name and heritage.
4. You couple now for money.
5. You do not couple for love or beauty.
6. Your marriage and your life are empty.
7. You may beget an heir, but not in love.
8. The Sonnets are ended” (par. 53-54).
Bremer goes on to say that sonnet 126 represents the end of the relationship between the Poet and the Lovely Boy. Sonnet 126 is a critical point in the story of the sonnets for that reason (43). Shakespeare’s sonnets tell a story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness in a way which makes them timelessly intriguing to read and interpret. Shakespeare’s sonnets tell of Shakespeare and the handsome man’s friendship, the handsome man’s betrayal for the rival poet, their feelings for the “dark lady”, and Shakespeare’s forgiveness of the young man. Shakespeare’s sonnet 126 helps to summarize Shakespeare and the handsome man’s friendship, and sheds light on Shakespeare’s insecurity about aging. The sonnets Shakespeare wrote are classic literature and shall be revered by literary minds for ages to come.
Works Cited
Bremer, John. “Sonnet 126: Shakespeare’s Farewell to his Lovely Boy”. Institute of Philosophy. Institute of Philosophy, 13 June 2011. Web. 18 May 2013.
Delahoyde, Dr. Michael. “Shake-Speare’s Sonnets.” Washington State University. Washington State University, n.d. Web. 1 May 2013.
Shakespeare, William. Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Poems. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat. New York: Washington Squares Publication, 2006. Print. “Shakespeare, William.” SIRS Discover. Compton’s by Britannica, 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnets. 2005. Web. 1 May 2013.
Works Consulted
Berryman, John. Berryman’s Shakespeare. Ed. John Haffenden. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1999. Print.
Sonnet 126
O thou, my lovely boy, who in thy pow 'r
Dost hold time’s fickle glass, his sickle hour,
Who hast by waning grown, and therein show’st
Thy lovers withering, as thy sweet self grow’st—
If nature, sovereign mistress over wrack,
As thou goest onwards still will pluck thee back,
She keeps thee to this purpose: that her skill
May time disgrace, and wretched minute kill.
Yet fear her, O thou minion of her pleasure;
She may detain, but not still keep, her treasure.
Her audit, though delayed, answered must be,
And her quietus is to render thee. ( ) ( )