Shakespeare's Sonnets and Poems (Folger Shakespeare Library)

THE WORLD'S LEADING CENTER FOR SHAKESPEARE STUDIES

This edition includes:

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on the page facing each sonnet and poem
• A brief introduction to each sonnet and poem, providing insight and context
• Introductions to reading Shakespeare's language in the sonnets and in the poems
• Essays by leading Shakespeare scholars who provide modern perspectives on the sonnets and on the poems
• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essays by Lynne Magnusson and Catherine Belsey

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

THE WORLD'S LEADING CENTER FOR SHAKESPEARE STUDIES

This edition includes:

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on the page facing each sonnet and poem
• A brief introduction to each sonnet and poem, providing insight and context
• Introductions to reading Shakespeare's language in the sonnets and in the poems
• Essays by leading Shakespeare scholars who provide modern perspectives on the sonnets and on the poems
• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essays by Lynne Magnusson and Catherine Belsey

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

Barbara A. Mowat is Director of Academic Programs at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Editor of Shakespeare Quarterly, Chair of the Folger Institute, and author of The Dramaturgy of Shakespeare's Romances and of essays on Shakespeare's plays and on the editing of the plays.

Paul Werstine is Professor of English at King's College and the Graduate School of the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He is the author of many papers and articles on the printing and editing of Shakespeare's plays and was Associate Editor of the annual Medieval and Renaissance Drama in England from 1980 to 1989.

Contents

Editors' Preface

Shakespeare's Life

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Reading Shakespeare's