Poems of William Shakespeare

W 1980 William Shakespeare, Franklin Library Edition 

Notes

The poems of William Shakespeare, apart from his famous plays, include his Sonnets and several longer narrative poems:

1. Sonnets: Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets explore themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality. Key sonnets like Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?") and Sonnet 130 ("My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun") showcase his complex views on romantic and platonic love, the passage of time, and human frailty.

2. Venus and Adonis: A narrative poem that tells the story of the goddess Venus and her unrequited love for the handsome mortal Adonis. It explores themes of desire, rejection, and the dangers of unchecked passion.

3. The Rape of Lucrece: Another narrative poem, it recounts the tragic story of Lucrece, a noblewoman in ancient Rome who is raped by Tarquin, a prince. The poem deals with themes of honor, shame, and political consequences.

4. A Lover's Complaint: A shorter poem that depicts a young woman lamenting her betrayal by a former lover. It examines the complexities of love, regret, and deception.

5. The Phoenix and the Turtle: A metaphysical poem that allegorizes the death of ideal love and unity through the story of the mythical phoenix and turtledove.

Shakespeare’s poetry, like his plays, is known for its depth of emotion, mastery of language, and exploration of the human condition.

Description 

Red leather bound edition with gold embossed detailing on spine, front, and back cover as well as gold embossed lettering on the spine. Gold fore edge with red silk bookmark and three raised bands. Pristine Franklin Library Edition.