Shakespeare's Sonnets: A Short Introduction( Series - Blackwell Introductions To Literature )

This insightful introduction provides a concise overview of the central issues and critical responses to Shakespeare's sonnets, looking at the themes, images, and structure of his work, as well as the social and historical circumstances surrounding its creation. This broad-ranging volume allows the reader to look beyond narrow interpretations, elaborating on the possible ways of reading the sonnets. Additionally, the text examines the fugitive identities of the characters addressed in the sonnets and explores the intangible aspects of each poem, such as eroticism and imagination. A helpful appendix offers a summary of each poem and a description of the key literary figures mentioned.

This introduction provides a concise overview of the central issues and critical responses to Shakespeare's sonnets, looking at the themes, images, and structure of his work, as well as the social and historical circumstances surrounding their creation.
Explores the biographical mystery of the identities of the characters addressed.
Examines the intangible aspects of each sonnet, such as eroticism and imagination.
A helpful appendix offers a summary of each poem with descriptions of key literary figures.