In "CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Sonnets, " you explore the significance of William Shakespeare's 154 sonnets -- a sequence of poems that have solidified the Bard's reputation as one of the greatest poets ever. In these sonnets, Shakespeare writes of the trials and triumphs of love, and you meet three of the most mysterious literary characters ever: The Fair Young Man, The Dark Lady, and The Rival Poet.

Critical essays help you understand the history of the sonnet, as well as how the sonnets relate to Shakespeare's plays. Other features that help you study includeAnalyses of The Fair Young Man, The Dark Lady, and The Rival PoetDiscussions of the sonnets' dominate themesCriticism of individual sonnetsA section of review questionsA selected bibliography

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