Afterlife of Shakespeare's Sonnets

This book offers a challenging new reception history of the Sonnets, exploring why they rose to prominence and identifying those that were particularly influential. It argues that we should redirect our attention away from the story that the Sonnets tell as a sequence and towards their fascinating afterlife.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Why did no one read Sonnet 18 for over one hundred years?

What traumatic memories did Sonnet 111 conjure up for Charles Dickens?

Which Sonnet did Wilfred Owen find particularly offensive on the WW1 battlefront?

What kind of love does Sonnet 116 celebrate and why?

Filling a surprising gap in Shakespeare studies, this book offers a challenging new reception history of the Sonnets and explores their belated entry into the Shakespeare canon. Jane Kingsley-Smith reveals the fascinating cultural history of individual Sonnets, identifying those which were particularly influential and exploring why they rose to prominence. This is a highly original study which argues that we should redirect our attention away from the story that the Sonnets tell as a sequence, to the fascinating afterlife of individual Shakespeare Sonnets.

Why did no one read Sonnet 18 for over one hundred years?

In the realm of literary analysis, the Sonnets have long been a subject of intrigue and debate. One particular Sonnet, Sonnet 18, has remained relatively obscure for centuries, with its significance and meaning remaining largely unexplored. The reasons behind this lack of attention are multifaceted and require a deeper examination.

One possible explanation for the neglect of Sonnet 18 is its unconventional structure and form. Unlike many of Shakespeare's other Sonnets, which follow a standard rhyme scheme and meter, Sonnet 18 deviates from these conventions. The poem consists of only four lines, each with a different rhyme scheme, making it challenging for readers to grasp and interpret. Additionally, the subject matter of the poem, which deals with the aging process and the loss of beauty, may not have been as appealing to early readers as other Sonnets that celebrated love and romance.

Another factor that may have contributed to the neglect of Sonnet 18 is its historical context. Shakespeare wrote the Sonnets during a period of immense cultural and societal change, and it is possible that the poem was not as widely read or appreciated during his lifetime as it is today. The Elizabethan era was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy, where individuals were expected to conform to certain norms and expectations. The themes of aging, mortality, and the loss of beauty may have been seen as taboo or uncomfortable for many readers, particularly those who held traditional values and beliefs.

Furthermore, the historical context of the Sonnets' reception is also important to consider. During the early modern period, the Sonnets were not widely published or distributed as they are today. They were primarily circulated in private manuscripts and were not readily accessible to the general public. This limited the reach of the Sonnets and may have contributed to their obscurity and neglect.

Despite these challenges, there are several reasons why Sonnet 18 has gained renewed interest in recent years. One of the most significant factors is the growing scholarly attention to Shakespeare's Sonnets and their reception history. Scholars have begun to explore the unconventional structures and forms of the Sonnets, as well as the cultural and historical contexts in which they were written and read. This research has led to a deeper understanding of the Sonnets and their significance in Shakespeare's oeuvre.

In addition, the rise of digital technology and the internet has also played a role in the renewed interest in Sonnet 18. With the ease of access to digital archives and online resources, scholars and readers can now explore the Sonnets in greater detail and with greater ease. This has led to a wider dissemination of the Sonnets and has made them more accessible to a broader audience.

Furthermore, the themes of aging, mortality, and the loss of beauty that are explored in Sonnet 18 have become increasingly relevant in contemporary society. As we age, we confront our own mortality and the loss of physical beauty, and the poem offers a poignant reflection on these themes. The poem's message of embracing the aging process and finding beauty in the mundane has resonated with readers who are navigating their own aging journeys and seeking meaning and purpose in life.

In conclusion, the neglect of Sonnet 18 for over one hundred years can be attributed to its unconventional structure and form, its historical context, and the limited reach of the Sonnets during the early modern period. However, the poem has gained renewed interest in recent years due to the growing scholarly attention to Shakespeare's Sonnets, the rise of digital technology, and the relevance of its themes to contemporary society. Sonnet 18 offers a unique perspective on the aging process and the loss of beauty, and its significance in Shakespeare's oeuvre continues to be explored and celebrated by scholars and readers alike.

What traumatic memories did Sonnet 111 conjure up for Charles Dickens?

In the realm of literature, the Sonnets of William Shakespeare have long held a special place in the hearts and minds of readers and scholars alike. Among these, Sonnet 111 stands out as a particularly poignant and evocative poem that has left a lasting impression on the minds of many. This sonnet, written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, explores the themes of love, beauty, and mortality, and its impact on the human experience.

For Charles Dickens, Sonnet 111 was a source of profound inspiration and reflection. The poem's themes of love, beauty, and mortality resonated deeply with the author, who was known for his keen observations of the human condition and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. In particular, the poem's opening lines, which describe the "fair youth" as a "picture of you," struck a chord with Dickens, who was captivated by the idea of a fleeting and ephemeral beauty that could be lost in the passage of time.

The poem's imagery and language also played a significant role in shaping Dickens's interpretation of the sonnet. The use of vivid and descriptive language, such as "fair youth," "dear love," and "thy beauty's force," helped to create a vivid and sensory experience for the reader, allowing them to feel the beauty and power of the young man's love. The poem's use of metaphors, such as "thy love is like a fair summer's day," also helped to convey the idea of a fleeting and ephemeral beauty that could be lost in the passage of time.

For Dickens, the poem's themes of love and beauty were closely linked to his own experiences and emotions. The author was deeply in love with his wife, Catherine, and was often haunted by the fear of losing her to illness or death. The poem's portrayal of the young man's love as a "picture of you" served as a reminder to Dickens of the importance of cherishing and appreciating the beauty of the present moment, as it could be lost in an instant.

In addition to its themes of love and beauty, Sonnet 111 also explores the theme of mortality. The poem's opening lines, which describe the young man's beauty as a "picture of you," serve as a reminder that even the most beautiful things in life are fleeting and ephemeral. The poem's closing lines, which express the young man's fear of death and the hope that his love will live on after his death, also serve as a reminder of the transience of life and the importance of making the most of every moment.

For Dickens, the poem's exploration of mortality was a source of both fear and hope. The author was deeply aware of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of the human experience, and the poem's portrayal of the young man's fear of death served as a reminder of the importance of living life to the fullest and making the most of every opportunity. The poem's closing lines, which express the young man's hope that his love will live on after his death, also served as a source of comfort and inspiration, as they reminded Dickens that even in the face of death, love and beauty could continue to thrive.

In conclusion, Sonnet 111 was a source of profound inspiration and reflection for Charles Dickens. The poem's themes of love, beauty, and mortality resonated deeply with the author, who was captivated by the idea of a fleeting and ephemeral beauty that could be lost in the passage of time. The poem's imagery and language, as well as its exploration of mortality, served as a reminder to Dickens of the importance of cherishing and appreciating the beauty of the present moment, as well as the transience of life and the importance of making the most of every opportunity. The poem's impact on Dickens's life and work is evident in his writings, and its legacy continues to inspire and influence readers and scholars alike.

Which Sonnet did Wilfred Owen find particularly offensive on the WW1 battlefront?

In the midst of the chaos and devastation of World War I, the Sonnets of William Shakespeare took on a new significance for Wilfred Owen. The poet, who served as a soldier in the British Army, found solace and inspiration in the words of Shakespeare, particularly in Sonnet 116.

Sonnet 116, one of the most famous and well-known of Shakespeare's Sonnets, is a celebration of love and beauty. The poem begins with the line, "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker declares his love for his beloved and his commitment to their relationship, even in the face of obstacles and challenges.

For Owen, the poem's message of love and commitment was particularly powerful and meaningful. The poet had experienced firsthand the horrors of war and the devastating effects it had on the lives of soldiers and civilians alike. He had seen friends and colleagues die in battle, and he had witnessed the destruction and devastation that war had wrought.

In the poem, Shakespeare uses vivid imagery and metaphor to describe the beauty of love and the power of commitment. The speaker compares his beloved to a "summer's day," a "rose," and a "lily," all of which are symbols of beauty and innocence. He also uses the metaphor of "marriage" to describe the relationship between the speaker and his beloved, emphasizing the importance of their commitment to each other.

Owen found the poem particularly offensive on the WWI battlefront because it reminded him of the sacrifices that soldiers made in the name of love and commitment. The poem's message of love and beauty was a stark contrast to the brutal and violent reality of war, which had destroyed so many lives and families.

Owen also found the poem offensive because it reminded him of the pain and suffering that he and his fellow soldiers had experienced on the battlefront. The poem's imagery of love and beauty was a stark contrast to the bloodshed and destruction that Owen had witnessed firsthand.

Despite the poem's offensive nature, Owen found solace and inspiration in it. The poem's message of love and commitment gave him a sense of purpose and meaning in the midst of the chaos and destruction of war. It reminded him that there was still beauty and love in the world, even in the darkest of times.

In conclusion, Sonnet 116 was a particularly offensive poem for Wilfred Owen on the WWI battlefront. The poem's message of love and beauty was a stark contrast to the brutal and violent reality of war, which had destroyed so many lives and families. Despite the poem's offensive nature, Owen found solace and inspiration in it, reminding him of the importance of love and commitment in the face of adversity.

What kind of love does Sonnet 116 celebrate and why?

In the realm of literature, Sonnet 116 stands out as a poignant and evocative poem that explores the complexities of love and its enduring power. Written by William Shakespeare, this sonnet is one of the most celebrated and widely studied works in the English language.

At its core, Sonnet 116 celebrates the beauty and strength of love, emphasizing its capacity to transcend time and circumstance. The poem begins with the line, "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker declares his love for his beloved and his commitment to their relationship, even in the face of obstacles and challenges.

One of the key themes of Sonnet 116 is the idea of love as a force that transcends the boundaries of time and space. The speaker describes his love for his beloved as a "picture of you," a metaphor that suggests that love is a timeless and universal experience that can connect people across different cultures and generations. The poem also emphasizes the idea of love as a source of strength and resilience, as the speaker describes his love as a "rose" that can withstand the harshness of winter and the scorching heat of summer.

Another important theme of Sonnet 116 is the idea of love as a source of joy and happiness. The speaker describes his love for his beloved as a "lily," a symbol of purity and innocence. The poem emphasizes the idea of love as a source of joy and happiness, as the speaker describes the beauty and joy that his love brings to his life.

Despite the poem's celebration of love, Sonnet 116 also explores the complexities of love and its challenges. The speaker acknowledges that love can be a source of pain and suffering, as he describes the "impediments" that can prevent true love from flourishing. The poem also explores the idea of love as a fleeting and ephemeral experience, as the speaker acknowledges that his love for his beloved may not last forever.

One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 116 is the use of imagery and metaphor. Shakespeare uses vivid and descriptive language to describe the beauty and strength of love, using metaphors such as "picture of you," "rose," and "lily." These metaphors help to convey the idea of love as a timeless and universal experience that can connect people across different cultures and generations.

In conclusion, Sonnet 116 is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the beauty and strength of love. The poem emphasizes the idea of love as a force that transcends time and space, as well as a source of joy and happiness. Despite the poem's celebration of love, it also explores the complexities of love and its challenges. The use of imagery and metaphor helps to convey the idea of love as a timeless and universal experience that can connect people across different cultures and generations.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 236 x 232 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107170650