Shakespeare’s Sonnets 49 – 63
Sonnets 49 – 63 Sonnet 49 Summary: the poet anticipates the time in the future when his young love will no longer forgive him his shortcomings and will instead “scarcely greet me”. The poet believes this indifference will be justified (“mine own desert”) since there is no reason to love him in the first place. […]
Shakespeare’s Sonnets 78 – 90
Shakespeare’s Sonnets 78 – 90 Sonnet 78 Summary: the poet senses competition from rival poets who have also fallen under the spell of the “fair youth”. But having been the first to praise him in poetry, his verses have the prior claim. Besides, the youth’s “sweet graces” (in contrast with other poets’ work) are central […]
Shakespeare’s Sonnets 127 – 140
Shakespeare’s Sonnets 127 – 140 Sonnet 127 Summary: time was, says the poet, fair hair and complexion were regarded as an aesthetic ideal. But now darker colours are more fashionable, and anyway, with cosmetics pervasive, beauty is somewhat artificial anyway. Now if his mistress’s eyes and brows are mourning black, it’s widely accepted that “beauty […]