Procreation sonnets
Encyclopedia
The term procreation sonnets is a name given to Shakespearean sonnets
numbers I
to XVII
(1 to 17).
They are referred to as the procreation sonnets because they all argue that the young man to whom they are addressed should marry and father children, hence procreate. Throughout the procreation sonnets, Shakespeare usually argues that the child will be a copy of the young man, who will therefore live through his child.
The actual historical identity of the man to whom they were written is a mystery, but the most frequently suggested individuals are Henry Wriothesley
(W.H. backwards), and William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke
. If the latter, it has been suggested that the 17 sonnets correspond in number to Herbert's age at the time.
Sonnet 18
("shall I compare thee to a summer's day") changes the tone dramatically towards romantic intimacy.
Shakespeare's sonnets
Shakespeare's sonnets are 154 poems in sonnet form written by William Shakespeare, dealing with themes such as the passage of time, love, beauty and mortality. All but two of the poems were first published in a 1609 quarto entitled SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS.: Never before imprinted. Sonnets 138 and 144...
numbers I
Sonnet 1
Shakespeare's 1st sonnet is urging the young man he is writing to not to waste his beauty by not fathering a child. The intended recipient of this and other sonnets is a subject of scholarly debate, with many believing it to be Henry Wriothesley. See: Identity of "Mr...
to XVII
Sonnet 17
Shakespeare's Sonnet XVII, the last of his procreation sonnets, questions his own descriptions of the young man, believing that future generations will believe them to be exaggerations if he does not make a copy of himself .-Synopsis:...
(1 to 17).
They are referred to as the procreation sonnets because they all argue that the young man to whom they are addressed should marry and father children, hence procreate. Throughout the procreation sonnets, Shakespeare usually argues that the child will be a copy of the young man, who will therefore live through his child.
The actual historical identity of the man to whom they were written is a mystery, but the most frequently suggested individuals are Henry Wriothesley
Henry Wriothesley
Henry Wriothesley may refer to:*Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampton *Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton , patron of William Shakespeare...
(W.H. backwards), and William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke
William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke
William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, KG, PC was the son of Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and his third wife Mary Sidney. Chancellor of the University of Oxford, he founded Pembroke College, Oxford with King James. He was warden of the Forest of Dean, and constable of St Briavels from 1608...
. If the latter, it has been suggested that the 17 sonnets correspond in number to Herbert's age at the time.
Sonnet 18
Sonnet 18
Sonnet 18, often alternately titled Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?, is one of the best-known of 154 sonnets written by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare...
("shall I compare thee to a summer's day") changes the tone dramatically towards romantic intimacy.