William Shakespeare is known worldwide as one of the greatest playwrights and poets. His plays, such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, have left an indelible mark on literature. However, his collection of 154 sonnets also plays a crucial role in his legacy. The sonnets reveal much about Shakespeare’s creative mind, his personal life, and the society in which he lived. But why did Shakespeare start writing sonnets? To answer this question, we must first look at the nature of sonnets themselves and how they fit into Shakespeare’s life and career.
Sonnets were not a new form of poetry when Shakespeare began writing them. They had already been popularized by poets in Italy, like Petrarch, and were embraced by English writers in the late 16th century. But Shakespeare’s approach to the sonnet form was revolutionary. His sonnets transcend the conventional themes of love and beauty, exploring more complex human emotions and relationships. By writing sonnets, Shakespeare was not only participating in a popular literary trend but also pushing the boundaries of what this form of poetry could express.
In this article, we will explore why Shakespeare turned to sonnets, the historical context in which he wrote them, and what his sonnets reveal about him as a person and a writer.
The Sonnet Tradition: A Brief Overview
To understand why Shakespeare wrote sonnets, we must first understand the sonnet form. A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The most common form used in England was the Shakespearean or English sonnet, which follows the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. Sonnets are typically written in iambic pentameter, a meter consisting of ten syllables per line, with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Sonnets often explore themes of love, beauty, time, and nature. They were a way for poets to express personal emotions, reflections, or philosophical musings. In Shakespeare’s time, sonnets were written primarily by men, and they were often dedicated to a woman, a muse, or a patron. However, Shakespeare’s sonnets stood out because they did not always follow the traditional path of romantic love. Many of them deal with themes such as friendship, time, mortality, and inner conflict.
The tradition of writing sonnets in England was influenced by earlier poets, such as Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. These poets adapted the Italian sonnet form to English, and it quickly became a fashionable way for English writers to express their thoughts. However, Shakespeare’s approach to sonnets was unique. While he embraced the sonnet form, he also reinvented it, making it his own.
The Elizabethan Era: Context of Shakespeare’s Writing
Shakespeare wrote most of his sonnets during the late 16th century, a period known as the Elizabethan era. This was a time of great cultural and artistic flourishing in England, often referred to as the “Golden Age” of English literature. Queen Elizabeth I reigned over England from 1558 to 1603, and during her reign, the country saw significant advancements in the arts, science, and exploration.
One of the key aspects of the Elizabethan era was the rise of the English courtly culture. Nobles and the wealthy elite patronized the arts, commissioning poets, playwrights, and musicians to produce works that reflected their status and ideals. It was also a time of intense intellectual and philosophical activity, influenced by the Renaissance, a movement that sought to revive the classical ideas of ancient Greece and Rome.
In this context, the sonnet form became a popular way for poets to express their feelings, often about love and beauty. However, the sonnet was not just a tool for personal expression. It was also a way to gain recognition and support from influential patrons. Many poets, including Shakespeare, dedicated their works to wealthy and powerful individuals, hoping to secure their favor.
Shakespeare was part of this cultural landscape, and his decision to write sonnets was influenced by both personal and societal factors. The popularity of the sonnet form, the intellectual climate of the time, and the possibility of gaining patrons all played a role in his choice to write in this form.
Personal Motivation: Shakespeare’s Relationship with His Patrons
Shakespeare’s sonnets have long been the subject of speculation and analysis. One of the key questions that scholars have asked is whether the sonnets were written for a particular person or group of people. Some of the sonnets seem to address a young man, often referred to as the “Fair Youth,” while others appear to be written to a woman, called the “Dark Lady.” These figures have sparked much debate, and many theories have been proposed about their identity.
It is possible that Shakespeare’s decision to write sonnets was influenced by his relationships with these individuals. Writing sonnets allowed him to express his feelings, both personal and artistic, in a way that was different from the public nature of his plays. Sonnets offered a private and intimate form of expression, and Shakespeare may have used them to explore the complexity of his relationships with the people in his life.
Another important factor in Shakespeare’s decision to write sonnets may have been his desire for patronage. During this period, writers often relied on wealthy patrons to support their work. Writing sonnets was a way for Shakespeare to secure the favor of powerful individuals, particularly those who appreciated poetry and the arts. By dedicating his sonnets to influential people, Shakespeare may have been hoping to gain financial support or increase his social standing.
Artistic Expression: Shakespeare’s Innovation in Sonnets
While Shakespeare may have had personal and professional reasons for writing sonnets, it is clear that he also had a deep artistic motivation. The sonnet form allowed him to experiment with language, rhyme, and meter in ways that were different from his plays. Shakespeare’s sonnets reveal a masterful control of language, and his use of iambic pentameter is particularly striking.
What sets Shakespeare’s sonnets apart from others is their depth of emotion and intellectual complexity. While many poets of the time focused on the theme of idealized love, Shakespeare’s sonnets explore a wide range of human experiences. His sonnets reflect on the passage of time, the inevitability of aging, the nature of beauty, and the complexities of human relationships. Some of the sonnets express intense emotions, such as jealousy, regret, and longing, while others offer philosophical reflections on life and death.
Shakespeare’s sonnets also push the boundaries of the form. While sonnets traditionally followed a strict structure, Shakespeare often bent the rules. He frequently employed variations in rhyme and meter, which added to the expressive power of his poems. This innovative approach to the sonnet form allowed him to create works that were both beautiful and thought-provoking.
The Themes of Shakespeare’s Sonnets
One of the reasons why Shakespeare’s sonnets continue to captivate readers today is the universality of their themes. While they were written in a specific historical context, the emotions and ideas they express are timeless. Shakespeare’s exploration of love, beauty, and time resonates with readers from all walks of life.
Many of Shakespeare’s sonnets deal with the theme of love, but not in the conventional way. For example, in Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”), Shakespeare immortalizes the beauty of a loved one, suggesting that their beauty will never fade. In other sonnets, however, he writes about the darker, more complex sides of love, such as jealousy and unrequited feelings. His sonnets reveal that love is not always idealized, but often comes with conflict and uncertainty.
Another important theme in Shakespeare’s sonnets is the passage of time. Many of his poems reflect on the inevitability of aging and death. In Sonnet 12 (“When I do count the clock that tells the time”), Shakespeare laments the fleeting nature of life and the inevitable decay of beauty. Yet, in other sonnets, he explores the idea of immortality through poetry, suggesting that his words will preserve the memory of his loved ones long after they are gone.
Shakespeare’s sonnets also explore the concept of beauty, both physical and inner. In some of the sonnets, beauty is depicted as something fleeting and ephemeral, while in others, it is connected to virtue and goodness. Shakespeare’s understanding of beauty goes beyond mere physical appearance and delves into the deeper qualities that make a person truly beautiful.
Conclusion
Shakespeare began writing sonnets for a variety of reasons. He was part of a literary tradition that embraced the sonnet form, and he used it to express his personal emotions, reflections on love, and philosophical ideas. At the same time, writing sonnets allowed him to gain recognition and potentially secure the patronage of influential individuals.
His sonnets are also a testament to his artistic creativity. Shakespeare used the sonnet form to explore complex human emotions and to experiment with language in ways that were innovative for his time. Through his sonnets, Shakespeare was able to explore themes that were both personal and universal, creating works that continue to resonate with readers today.
Ultimately, Shakespeare’s decision to write sonnets was driven by a combination of personal, artistic, and social factors. While we may never know the full extent of his motivations, we can appreciate the beauty and depth of his sonnets, which remain one of the greatest achievements in English literature.
