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Shakespeare's Sonnets and a Lover's Complaint
An elaborately annotated edition of Shakespeare's masterpieces of wit and erotic word-play.
When a volume of poetry entitled Shake-speares Sonnets. Neuer before Imprinted appeared in 1609, Shakespeare was forty-five and most of his greatest plays had seen several performances. Some of the sonnets, speaking of the begetting of children, mortality and memory, art, desire and...more
When a volume of poetry entitled Shake-speares Sonnets. Neuer before Imprinted appeared in 1609, Shakespeare was forty-five and most of his greatest plays had seen several performances. Some of the sonnets, speaking of the begetting of children, mortality and memory, art, desire and...more
Hardcover, 103 pages
Published
by Folcroft Library Editions
(first published 1609)
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There's nothing new to say about Shakespeare; everything has been said, every word has been analyzed and every possible praise of his works has been written. Shakespeare is certainly established as one of the greatest writers ever known, and one cannot argue with that. His way with words is something entirely unique and utterly genius. And that is was he was - a genius.
I loved reading the sonnets as they can only be described as being completely magical. Shakespeare's ability to captivate even t...more
I loved reading the sonnets as they can only be described as being completely magical. Shakespeare's ability to captivate even t...more
Sonnet #29 is a perfect example of why these poems are really not for schoolchildren: "When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes/I all alone beweep my outcast state ..." Of course a teenager beweeps plenty and likely feels outcast often enough, but there is something very adult about the weary despair in the first two quatrains of this sonnet.
I thought they were quite pretty, back when I was a lit major in college. Now I find them entirely devastating, and contemplate which ones I'd read at w...more
I thought they were quite pretty, back when I was a lit major in college. Now I find them entirely devastating, and contemplate which ones I'd read at w...more
This book is a perfect example of how I've been using the ratings system. Everyone everywhere is agreed that the Sonnets are some of the best literature ever created. Thus its rating should be off the charts: it should take a small constellation of stars. And yet, the little stars themselves talk about not how intrinsically good the material is, but how much the reader enjoyed it, thus making the rating system subjective rather than objective. This is acceptable, in that it is the job of English...more
As I have previously said about love poetry we men need all the help we can when it comes to trying to woo a lady. We are just not good at chat up lines unless it is fully loaded with cheese. Well Penguin Classics to the rescue with this handy book of sonnets. The book contains 154 sonnets and A Lover's Complaint (I am sure we could all come up with a few of those) and an introduction that is a quarter of the book.
This is an enjoyable book and a quick dip in to Shakespeare without having to read...more
This is an enjoyable book and a quick dip in to Shakespeare without having to read...more
Sonnet 104
To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold
Have from the forests shook three summers' pride,
Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turn'd
In process of the seasons have I seen,
Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burn'd,
Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green.
Ah, yet doth beauty, like a dial-hand,
Steal from his figure and no pace perceived;
So your sweet hue, which methinks still dot...more
To me, fair friend, you never can be old,
For as you were when first your eye I eyed,
Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold
Have from the forests shook three summers' pride,
Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turn'd
In process of the seasons have I seen,
Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burn'd,
Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green.
Ah, yet doth beauty, like a dial-hand,
Steal from his figure and no pace perceived;
So your sweet hue, which methinks still dot...more
I love Shakespeare, especially his sonnets. But between the long-winded and confusing introduction and the printing of the book in general, I did not enjoy this reread as much as I had expected. I prefer Barnes and Noble's clear and to the point printing of the Sonnets. As for the lover's complaint, I guess I'll just find a seperate printing.
In regards to the sonnets themselves, I couldn't love them more. As I am not scholar, I dont entirely understand the exact meaning of each and every sonnet...more
In regards to the sonnets themselves, I couldn't love them more. As I am not scholar, I dont entirely understand the exact meaning of each and every sonnet...more
my favorite sonnets are 18, 28, 30, 46, 80, and 141. every single work is beautiful and truly meaningful. william shakespeare is a genius.
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It would be two stars but the Dark Lady sonnets proved an interesting comparison and contrast to the Hosea/Gomer account.
Sonnet 116 is one of the most clever, and moving, pieces I have ever read.
I’ve been reading this slowly for a few months. I just read three or four sonnets at a time and put it down till I felt I was in the mood again.
I’m happy to be able to say I read all the sonnets. I’m glad I didn’t read them when I was younger. Some are outstanding, some didn’t click for me.
You should read them.
I’m happy to be able to say I read all the sonnets. I’m glad I didn’t read them when I was younger. Some are outstanding, some didn’t click for me.
You should read them.
Fantastic. This edition has an amazing set of footnotes. These sonnets aren't about lovey-dovey experiences, but as love in the rawest, darkest, fluid nature.
you want to make it with the ladies? read this book till you can recite it from memory.
Coralie Bickford-Smith clothbound cover
Shakespeare; that is all.
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William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "The Bard"). His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been tr...more
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“Return of love, more blest may be the view;
As call it winter, which being full of care,
Makes summer’s welcome thrice more wish’d, more rare.
Sonet56”
—
3 people liked it
As call it winter, which being full of care,
Makes summer’s welcome thrice more wish’d, more rare.
Sonet56”
“Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds, / Or bends with the remover to remove.”
—
2 people liked it
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