William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language, known primarily for his plays. However, he also wrote a significant body of poetry, including 154 sonnets and several longer narrative poems. In this page of sample essays, we will explore some of the themes, techniques, and historical contexts of Shakespeare’s poetry, examining how his works continue to captivate and inspire readers today.
I have now just read one of the most insightful and original twenty-seven lines in literature demonstrating the seven different stages of man. Every day when I do anything, I reflect and ponder on these lines and it affects the way I behave and act. Let me tell you the different actions and clever language … Read more
World Literature – 200 7 February 2019 “Comparing and Analyzing Shakespeare’s and Bozeman’s Views on Love” Typically a poem which is written in a certain structure about love is called a sonnet. Poems like these can be used to create love songs. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a song is directly defined as “a short … Read more
The art of poetry is so unique in a sense that each and every poet has a unique take on how to portray a message. Every poem has an aesthetic and that is completely based on the poets own devices. Just like any art piece, poetry can be analyzed in so many different ways, that … Read more
Shakespeare is one of the most well known writers even after centuries of his work. His work continues to be passed on and he is responsible for some of the most famous work in literary history. Shakespeare has created many amazing stories in various genres such as; drama, comedy, and romantic sonnets which still influence … Read more
“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” is part of a group of poems by William Shakespeare; the poems title suggest that the speaker will be mocking his lover throughout the poem but in reality, he is describing the love he has for her and all her imperfections. The use of one’s way to … Read more
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 138 features the narrator’s love for his mistress, the “dark lady”, who appears throughout Sonnets 127-154, and his issues with trust in the relationship. The first quatrain sets the mood and introduces the storyline for the rest of the sonnet. The sonnet’s tone shifts from a recognition of his lover’s lie about her … Read more
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 138 features the narrator’s love for his mistress, the “dark lady”, who appears throughout Sonnets 127-154, and his issues with trust in the relationship. The first quatrain sets the mood and introduces the storyline for the rest of the sonnet. The sonnet’s tone shifts from a recognition of his lover’s lie about her … Read more
The two sonnets I will be comparing in this essay are two of Shakespeare’s most well known pieces of work. Shakespeare’s sonnets “116” and “18” show the true power of love and its ability to bring two people together, which can result in the ultimate amount of happiness. Both of these verse forms share the … Read more
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 forms part of his one hundred and fifty four sonnets published in 1609 and introduces the reader to the idea of true love. Shakespeare’s uses monosyllabic language throughout most of Sonnet 116 and in so doing succeeds in powerfully describing in simple basic language the delicacy and complexity of what true … Read more
Angelina Rodriguez 2/27/19 Ms. Shuey English The life and works of William Shakespeare William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright who is considered one of the greatest writers to ever use the English language. He is also the most famous playwright in the world, with his plays being translated in over 50 languages and … Read more
Intro Shakespeare’s Sonnet 138 is a poem that depicts two lovers who lie to each other to keep each other happy. Shakespeare’s sonnet has the form of Iambic Pentameter. Shakespeare presents the narrator of the poem to have issues with his age. It can be suggested that these difficulties cause problems within his relationship. Shakespeare … Read more
In this essay the two poems that will be discussed; William Shakespeare’s sonnet 18 and Edmund Spenser’s sonnet 75 respectively will be compared with respect to their poetic techniques and form as well as the underlying thesis of Love which is prominent within both pieces. In order to show this comparison, both sonnets will be … Read more
To His Coy Mistress “To His Coy Mistress” is a poem written by the English poet and satirist Andrew Marvell. It was written in the 1650s but was not published until the 1680s, after the poet’s death. It is metaphysical poetry. Mr. Marvell is considered as one of the great poets of the metaphysical verse … Read more
One of the best and successful writers of the 17th century, William Shakespeare who won the hearts of many through his plays, sonnets, poems, etc. Modified English literature and added new words to the English language. Shakespeare was born in the English Renaissance era which was between 1558 to 1603. An era which was culturally … Read more
In Sonnet 19, William Shakespeare uses disastrous imagery, deliberate metrical inversions, and assertive diction in order to imply that he is in control despite Time’s massive power. By illustrating examples of substantial destruction, Shakespeare accentuates the power Time holds in the natural world. Shakespeare begins Sonnet 19 by emphasizing the extent of power which Time … Read more
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare; As any she belied with false compare… Shakespeare’s sonnet 130 was firstly published in 1609 and while many consider his 154 known sonnets to be written in a sequence, Barber claims that these were “not, in fact, such a production, indeed not one production at … Read more
The term “Renaissance” derives from the French word of “Re-birth”. The Renaissance had started as a cultural movement during the 14th century Tuscany, Italy and later manifested the rest of Europe. This cultural development during the Renaissance had vast influence over literature, religion and many other aspects of intellectual understanding and development. One of the … Read more
Throughout this essay I will analyse sonnets 5, 20 and 60 of Shakespeare’s Sonnets with relation to the poet’s use of metaphors and imagery, as well as showcasing the relationship between form and meaning. ‘Sonnet 5’ identifies contrast of aging of man from youth to old age with nature. The second quatrain recognises the contrast … Read more
Literature is a vehicle of immortalization. It exists beyond the passage of time that the author, as a human being, is a mere subject to, yet it is too a physical medium that is often lost or destroyed. Authors toy with the concept of immortality in cementing the admiration of a speaker towards his beloved, … Read more
When studying poetry, a misconception that can be rebutted is the idea that poetry finds itself focusing purely on the ‘pretty things’; completely voiding the struggles and lacking the connection to the world around us. Contrary to common misconception, poetry has the capability to use the ‘pretty things’ as a vice to further expand on … Read more
Gender is expressed in various ways and in William Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 130’ and ‘The Friday Everything Changed’ by Anne Hart, this chosen identity is expressed in the form of femininity and equality of gender roles. Although both texts demonstrate the generational differences between genders it also shows implications that society has set expectations onto women, … Read more
1 Love of our days is overrated. It is not a love with solid foundations, it is a conditioned and weak love that vanishes when the plans of the other are interrupted, when something happens that in the eyes of the other person is no longer so pleasant. That is why today relationships end for … Read more
William Shakespeare, in his Sonnet 73 and Sonnet 116, sets forth his vision of the unchanging, persistent and immovable nature of true love. According to Shakespeare, love is truly “till death do us part,” and possibly beyond. Physical infirmity, the ravages of age, or even one’s partner’s inconstancy have no effect upon the affections of … Read more
Shakespeare’s sonnet 116 and sonnet 130 both describe love in different ways but both show the ideals of platonic love. The three stages of platonic love is the love of body, the love of mind and the love of soul. Shakespeare discusses the love, or lack there of, body in sonnet 130 by saying that … Read more
“How does Shakespeare challenge ideas of the classical past in his writings?”; How does Shakespeare challenge ideas of the classical past in his writings? In his intricately constructed Sonnet 12, Shakespeare weaves a metaphorical comparison between the natural elements of “Time” and the subsequent fragility of human life (Atkins, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, 173). In the … Read more
‘Imagery…is the fireworks of poetry’ (Shira Wolosky). Use this remark as a point of departure for discussion of the function and effect of ‘imagery’. Throughout many epochs and styles of poetry, imagery is arguably the most commonly used technique used by writers to convey meaning and emotion. ‘Imagery is another basic poetic unit; it … Read more
“What are poets for?” asked Heidegger in his 1946 essay. For Heidegger, in destitute post-war Germany, he sought for the poet’s purpose or function in society. He claimed that poets “reach into the fearful abyss to follow the traces” left by divinities in order to “prepare the way for the return of cosmic order.” … Read more
English Studies Feedback Form Excellent 1 2 3 4 5 Very weak ARGUMENT & INDEPENDENCE: Clearly constructed, developing line of thought, arriving at an independent view ARGUMENT & INDEPENDENCE Ideas that do not build upon each other and /or lack relevance; relies on received ideas INTRODUCTION /CONCLUSION: Clearly sets out your approach; demonstrates … Read more
A sonnet is a poem that consists of 14 lines and rhymes in a certain pattern. William Shakespeare’s sonnets were written in iambic pentameter which is a specific rhyme scheme that consisting of one stressed syllable and one unstressed syllable every five lines. The sonnet is a difficult art form for the poet because … Read more
Contextualisation and problem statement “All sounds, all colours, all forms, either because of their pre-ordained energies or because of long association, evoke indefinable and yet precise emotions, or, as I prefer to think, call down among us certain disembodied powers, whose footsteps over our hearts we call emotions; and when sound, and colour, and … Read more
Not marble, nor the gilded monuments Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme; But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone, besmeared with sluttish time. When wasteful war shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry, Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn The living … Read more
“Metaphors of Time: Mortality and Transience in Shakespeare’s Sonnets”; Rehn, Johanna, and Kerstin Shands. “Metaphors of Time: Mortality and Transience in Shakespeare’s Sonnets.” 2009. “Metaphors of Time” by Johanna Rehn covers the use of metaphor in regards to the themes of time, mortality and transience in Shakespeare’s sonnets. Rehn primarily focuses on sonnets 60, 64 … Read more
Shakespeare is known primarily for his plays, but he also wrote a number of sonnets and longer poems. Some of his most famous poems include:
These are just a few examples of Shakespeare’s most famous poems, but there are many more to explore.
When writing essays on Shakespeare’s poetry, here are some important points to consider:
By considering these points when writing essays on Shakespeare’s poetry, you can provide a comprehensive analysis of his works and their significance.
