The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare

The sonnets in this collection divide into two parts; the first 126 are addressed to a fair youth for whom the poet has an obsessive love and the second chronicles his love for the notorious "Dark Lady". In addition to the sonnets, this volume includes two lengthy poems on classical themes. The Rape of Lucrece which looks forward to the dark imagery of Macbeth, and Venus and Adonis which mixes ribaldry and tragedy in unique Shakespearean manner. The Phoenix and the Turtle is a beautiful metaphysical and allegorical short elegy, and takes its place with Shakespeare's better-known poetry. AUTHOR: William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, allegedly on April 23rd, 1564. His parents were John Shakespeare, a glover and leather merchant, and Mary Arden, a landed heiress. According to church records he was the third of eight children. His father was quite successful during William?s early years, including time as an alderman and high bailiff. However his fortunes declined through the 1570s. There is no recorded proof of Shakespeare?s education, but it is surmised that he attended Stratford Grammar School, though it is known that he did not progress to university. Apart from his marriage to Anne Hathaway on November 28th, 1582, there is practically nothing known about his life until he turns up in London around 1592. By 1594 he was acting and writing, his troupe of players were extremely popular and were patronised by royalty. When the plague forced many theatres to close, Shakespeare and his company planned the opening of the Globe Theatre. Evidence of his popularity and success was the fact that his works were published and sold at the height of his career. His success was sufficient to allow him to retire in comfort to Stratford in 1611. It is alleged that he died on his birthday, April 23rd, 1616, but this may just be a romantic myth.