1. Introduction
William Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) collection of 154 sonnets belongs surely to one of the greatest and most famous ones, although there are many discrepancies about it; for example, discrepancies in authorship, composition, publication and contents.
Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets can be divided into two great sections: The first section contains the sonnets 1-126 which are addressed to a young man, obviously a very good friend of the author who appears again in the second section; and the poems from 127 to 152 are the so-called “dark lady” sonnets. The last two sonnets, 153 and 154, are about Cupid, the god of love, and revisions of an epigram of the Anthologia Graeca .
This paper will have a closer look at the “dark lady” sonnets, at what they are about, why they are called this way and what it is that makes them so special. Furthermore, several important images that can be found again and again in these sonnets will be named and analysed, amongst others images of sexuality, hell, darkness, death, religion, illness and so on. There will also be a quick introduction why most people speak of Antipetrarchan sonnets in form and content.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The “dark lady”-sonnets – The hell of sexuality – the sexuality of hell
- The \"dark lady\" theme and Antipetrarchism
- The hell of sexuality – the sexuality of hell
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to delve into the “dark lady” sonnets within William Shakespeare’s collection of 154 sonnets, exploring their themes, their distinctive nature, and why they are called the "dark lady" sonnets. It will analyze key imagery present in these sonnets, including sexuality, hell, darkness, death, religion, illness, and more. The paper will also briefly explain why the sonnets are considered Antipetrarchan in form and content.
- The identity and nature of the "dark lady" in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
- The relationship dynamics between the poet and his “dark lady” and their impact on the sonnet sequence.
- The role of key imagery, such as sexuality, darkness, and death, in shaping the themes and emotions of the sonnets.
- The concept of Antipetrarchism and how it manifests in the “dark lady” sonnets.
- The contrasting depictions of the “dark lady” and her influence on the poet’s emotional and psychological state.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section provides a brief overview of Shakespeare's sonnets, their composition, and their division into two main sections. It introduces the “dark lady” sonnets and outlines the paper’s focus.
- The “dark lady”-sonnets – The hell of sexuality – the sexuality of hell: This chapter begins with a discussion of the unconventional nature of the "dark lady" sonnets, contrasting them with traditional Petrarchan sonnets. It explores the reasons for the “dark lady” moniker, analyzing her physical and behavioral characteristics, and the implications of these for the sonnets’ themes.
- The \"dark lady\" theme and Antipetrarchism: This section delves into the concept of Petrarchism and Antipetrarchism, explaining how the latter characterizes the “dark lady” sonnets. It discusses the contrast between the Petrarchan ideal of a chaste and virtuous beloved and the “dark lady’s” portrayal, which challenges traditional notions of beauty and love.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and concepts of this paper are: Shakespearean sonnets, "dark lady" sonnets, Antipetrarchism, Petrarchism, sexuality, darkness, hell, death, imagery, betrayal, love, and madness.
- Quote paper
- Eva Sammel (Author), 2005, Shakespeare's "Dark Lady"-sonnets: The hell of sexuality – the sexuality of hell, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/55865
