The Sonnets and Narrative Poems

by William Shakespeare, William Burto (Editor)

 

If William Shakespeare had never written a single play, if his reputation rested entirely upon the substantial and sterling body of nondramatic verse he left behind, he would still hold the position he does in the hierarchy of world literature. The strikingly modern sonnets–intimate, baroque, and expansive at once; the invigorating narratives drawn from classical subjects; and the flawless lyricism represented by a poem like “The Phoenix and the Turtle”–permanently deepen our understanding of the multiplicity and extravagant energy of our greatest poet.

(Book Jacket Status: Not Jacketed)

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Shakespeare, Fiction, Literature, British Literature

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is 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 extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Reviews

[James Violand · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can you say that hasn't been said about the works of one of the most brilliant minds who ever lived? All superlatives elude me. Only the Ancient Greek playwrights are his equals. All others pale in comparison. Unfortunately, so many are turned-off to Shakespeare because of their introduction to him in high school. What a pity. Shakespeare is to be watched! Reading him is a poor substitute. If you can readily understand the English language of his day, he is easy to read, but few are adept at this.

[Benjamin Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only I could still quote from this book off the top of my head, I would feel far more cultured and worldly. Nevertheless, many of these sonnets are sufficiently easy to read in the 21st century that one doesn't have to strain themselves to see the beauty and the truth behind them.

[Siera Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so the second time around they made WAY more sense. 30 and 60 remain special to me. A reading group was really helpful for this, so was marginalia. I need to know - how do you possess these by memory?!?!

[Adam J. M. Eagleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every human being should read this at some point in their lives. It will enrich them, as it did me.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying the narrative poem Venus and Adonis at the moment. Great stuff.

[Rusten · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Shakespeare.

[Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more need be said ?

[rin. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words so fancy and classy, I started twerking cuz I wasn't familiar with most of the terms in the poems IJBOL. Despite my limited vocabulary, i still enjoyed the book.

[David Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sonnets are endlessly inventive, if sometimes obscure, especially to modern ears. The narrative poems are very different from each other. The Rape of Lucrece and The Phoenix and Turtle are the standouts, the others landing on the formal, dull side. Shakespeare's plays are the rightful focus of our interest, but his poems are a legacy in themselves.

[KeeOfTheArchives · Rating 5 out of 5]

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