Since their first publication in 1609, William Shakespeare's sonnets have begged a tantalizing question--for whom were they intended? The dedication comes not from the author himself but from the publisher, and the address to "Mr. W.H." may well be a deliberate attempt at misdirection. In the sonnets themselves, the poet first devotes his thoughts to a beautiful young male friend; then shifts his focus to his mistress-a dark femme fatale. The continuing...

Classic Books Library presents this new beautiful edition of "Shakespeare's Sonnets" (1609). Featuring a specially commissioned new biography of William Shakespeare, it is a must for classical poetry enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets beautifully explore the age-old human themes of love and beauty, time and mortality, and contain some of the most revered lines in poetry such as, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's...

The tragic drama of an old king's foolishness is accompanied by material on Shakespeare's language, life, and theater, notes, and an essay.