The Sonnets of Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and wouldgo on to become one of the most popular authors ofall time. It is generally agreed that most of the Shakespearean Sonnets were written in the 1590s, some printed at this time as well. Others were written or revised right before being printed. 154 sonnets and 'A Lover's Complaint' were published by Thomas Thorpe as Shake-speares Sonnets in 1609. Evoking Petrarch's style and lyrically writing of beauty, mortality, and love with its moral anguish and worshipful adoration of a usually unattainable love, the first 126 sonnets are addressed to a young man, sonnets 127-152 to a dark lady. Ever the dramatist Shakespeare created a profound intrigue to scholars and novices alike as to the identities of these people.