Famous Shakespeare Poems – Verses from the Great Wordsmith

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There are many famous Shakespeare poems, but we cannot examine all of them and so we will only discuss five of them today. That is what we shall do this fair summer’s day. Let us go then, you and I, upon a journey into the most famous poems by William Shakespeare to discuss them in some detail before we depart from this place. Let us get this tale underway and look at some of the most famous Shakespeare poems!

Famous Poems by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was one of the most famous and important figures in the development of English literature and the language itself. He is predominantly known for his plays and poems. While he did write several poems that were not sonnets, his most famous poems tend to be his sonnets, and so that is what we will examine today. The sonnets are arranged in their numerical order, and they do not actually have names. Instead, Shakespeare’s sonnets have become known by the first line of each sonnet, and that is why one does not traditionally capitalize the various words within each “title” as they are not technically titles at all.

Portrait of William Shakespeare (1610) by John Taylor; Attributed to John Taylor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Each of these sonnets makes use of the form for which William Shakespeare is perhaps best known: the Elizabethan sonnet. This means that it makes use of fourteen lines and has a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCE EFEF GG. In addition, they all use standard meter formation known as iambic pentameter. There will be slightly more examination of some of these elements below. So, let’s get started and have a look at five of the most famous Shakespeare poems.

Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time

Sonnet 12 is one of the earlier poems in this particular collection of famous Shakespeare poems, and it is considered to be part of a section known as the Fair Youth sequence. This sequence is about a young man who is immensely attractive and egotistical, and these particular sonnets are dedicated to him. The earliest parts of the sonnets, of which this particular sonnet is a part, are specifically related to an encouragement of this young man to settle down, get married, and have some kids.

The poem itself makes use of an extensive depiction of time. It shows the way in which time’s arrow marches on, and so there are many depictions of things that age and die within this poem.

Lines such as: “When lofty trees I see barren of leaves” and “summer’s green all girded up in sheaves” serve to reveal this continuous decaying aspect of time that continues ever on regardless of how we wish to fight against it. In terms of more formal features, the sonnet makes use of a standard Elizabethan sonnet rhyme scheme. It makes use of the standard Shakespearean sonnet structure and rhyme scheme. This means that it makes use of three quatrains and a couplet alongside its typical Elizabethan rhyme scheme.

It is believed that this particular poem was written in the 1590s, but it was published alongside the rest of his poems in 1609. The dedication to a discussion and understanding of mortality and the waning of beauty and youth has made it one of the most resonant poems by William Shakespeare.

Sonnet 12 in the Quarto of Shakespeare’s sonnets (1609) by William Shakespeare; William Shakespeare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sonnet 15: When I consider everything that grows

Sonnet 15 is yet another of the collection of William Shakespeare’s poetry that is part of the larger Fair Youth sequence of poems. In this particular poem, once again addressed to the “Fair Youth” character who is an attractive young man who should settle down before it is too late. It is very similar, in many ways, to Sonnet 12 discussed above.

The poem describes the beauty of this young man alongside the decay of everything else around, such as in the lines: “Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay/To change your day of youth to sullied night”.

There is, once again, a connection and fixation on the wasting of time and youth, the inevitability of the decay that comes with it, and the way in which a young man such as this should instead choose to move towards their future. This figure is one that focuses on leaving behind a legacy in the form of a child.

However, the last line provides some level of hope in which it states: “As he takes from you, I engraft you new”. Here, Shakespeare refers to Time as the metaphorical character “he” who does the taking, whereas the “I” of the poetic speaker, who could be Shakespeare, will forever preserve this Fair Youth character within the poem. This will be another form of immortality that this character could achieve.

Similar to the above poem, this sonnet makes use of the standard rhyme scheme for which Shakespeare would become known, the Elizabethan, and it was also likely written in the 1590s when many of his most famous sonnets were written. This sonnet has gone on to become one of the most famous of all William Shakespeare’s poetry.

Sonnet 15 in the Quarto of Shakespeare’s Sonnets (1609) by William Shakespeare; William Shakespeare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Sonnet 18 is, quite possibly, the most famous of all the poems by William Shakespeare. In this particular case, this poem is yet another of the many poems that form part of the section of his work known as the Fair Youth sequence, which is the largest of all of the poetic sequences for which Shakespeare is known.

Unlike many misinterpretations, this poem is not addressed to a woman but instead to that same Fair Youth character.

However, the poem has become something of a universalized love sonnet because of its comparative nature. The poem itself makes use of a comparison between this Fair Youth character and the beauty of a summer’s day. However, the comparison is very quickly rejected because “thou art more lovely and more temperate” than that summer’s day.

In many ways, this poem does make use of certain similar themes to the two previous Fair Youth poems that have been discussed, as there is a certain morality in it. Shakespeare compares this Fair Youth to something better than a summer’s day, as summer days can be far too hot or too short. The immortality of the poem itself is, like the previous poems, a means of preservation. It is a way for the Fair Youth’s beauty to remain forever despite everything around him wilting away.

Like all of the most famous Shakespeare poems, this sonnet makes use of the usual Elizabethan rhyme scheme and meter that has been discussed before. It was also likely written alongside the other famous sonnets already discussed. This sonnet has, likely, become the most famous of all of Shakespeare’s poetry, and the first line is probably one of the most famous lines of poetry in general. Even those who don’t know poetry know the line: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”.

Sonnet 18 in the Quarto of Shakespeare’s Sonnets (1609) by William Shakespeare; William Shakespeare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sonnet 116: Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Sonnet 116 is another of the poems that forms part of the larger sequence that we have examined several times already in this article, the sequence which pertains to the character of the Fair Youth. In this particular case, it is yet another of many love poems that focuses on mortality and immortality.

In this particular case, it focuses on the way in which true love does not change with time.

Instead, true love is one that is always a constant and remains with one regardless of all the difficulties that one may face. This is likely a very common understanding to many people because of the traditional marriage vows which state that “in sickness and in health” (regardless of whether or not one agrees, it is a persistent idea).

Similarly to the other poems that have been discussed, it makes use of a fairly typical Shakespearean form in the use of the Elizabethan sonnet rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter. This poem has remained one of the most famous and enduring of all the poems that William Shakespeare ever wrote.

Sonnet 116 in the Quarto of Shakespeare’s Sonnets (1609) by William Shakespeare; William Shakespeare, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun

Sonnet 130 is one of the sonnets that forms part of the Dark Lady sequence of William Shakespeare’s poetry. This character is distinct from the Fair Youth as she is often described in far more unflattering terms. In this particular sense, the poem discusses her beauty, but in a far different way to something like Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day (Sonnet 18).

In juxtaposition to that poem, which focuses on the extensive praise of a person’s beauty, this sonnet instead rejects the idealism presented in poems such as Sonnet 18.

Instead of pretending that someone is perfectly beautiful, the poem makes many rather cruel points about physical imperfection, such as saying that her hair is like black wires, her skin is not fair, and her breath is not like roses.

However, after the seeming ugliness with which this person is presented, the poem nears its conclusion by stating that unlike all these idealized characters “My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground”. She is a person, not a perfect being. The final lines sum it up by stating: “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare/As any she belied with false compare”. Essentially, even though she isn’t perfect, his love for her is a beautiful thing and nothing can truly compare to her.

The poem is a defiant objection against the very poetry for which people like Shakespeare are so well-known. It is a criticism of that way of thinking, of placing someone on a pedestal and acting as if they are sheer perfection. This poem treats a person as a person rather than as an angel because no one is actually perfect. We are flawed, yet that is what makes us beautiful.

Songs of Shakespeare (1865) by William Shakespeare; William Shakespeare, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shall I compare this article to a summer’s day or are the wires of its black font as unpleasant as the smell that reeks from the breath of our mouths? Regardless, we have on this perhaps fair, yet perhaps not fair, day interrogated five of the most famous Shakespeare poems. Hopefully, an enjoyment hath come from this examination of these famous poems by the Bard, but perhaps not. There are always more to peruse if the latter is the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Was William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was one of the most influential figures in the development of English literature. He is predominantly known for his plays and poems. While all of his sonnets are numbered, they are generally known by their first line, and some of the most famous include: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (Sonnet 18) and My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun (Sonnet 130). He is also well known for his plays, such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Twelfth Night.

How Many Poems Did William Shakespeare Write?

The most famous Shakespeare poems are the sonnets, which were included in a collection in 1609. This collection included 154 sonnets. However, he also wrote six other sonnets, but they are found in his plays. The most famous of those sonnets is found in Romeo and Juliet. Additionally, he wrote two long narrative poems, a partial sonnet, and a few other minor ones that are lesser known.

What Is William Shakespeare’s Most Famous Poem?

It is very likely that the most famous poem Shakespeare ever wrote was Sonnet 18. This sonnet is better known by its first line: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? This poem has gone on to become one of the most famous love poems ever written and has been extensively quoted, recited, and adapted.

How Many Plays Did William Shakespeare Write?

Technically, we are not certain how many plays Shakespeare wrote, but 39 of them survive. There are also debates over exact authorship. Some may have been collaborative while others were solo pieces. Most of his plays were not published in his lifetime, and there are issues with the classification of certain plays. There has been much debate about Shakespeare’s poetry and plays over the years.

Why Are William Shakespeare’s Sonnets Numbered?

The numbering of Shakespeare’s sonnets is because that was the order in which they appeared in the 1609 publication of the collection. It is possible that Shakespeare himself never named any of the poems and that they have simply become known for their first lines because of that. We do not know exactly why they do not have titles in the traditional sense, but the numbering also does not correspond to narrative chronology or date of writing. This is one of the many topics of debate that surrounds the work of William Shakespeare.

Charlene Lewis( Content Writer for Painting and Crafting )

In 2005, Charlene completed her wellness degrees in therapeutic aromatherapy and reflexology at the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for several years before opening her own therapy practice. In 2015, she was asked by a digital marketer friend to join her company as a content creator, and it was here that she discovered her enthusiasm for writing. Since entering the world of content creation, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing about various topics such as beauty, health, wellness, travel, crafting, and much more. Due to various circumstances, she had to give up her therapy practice and now works as a freelance writer. Since she is a very creative person and as a balance to writing likes to be active in various areas of art and crafts, the activity at acrylgiessen.com is perfect for her to contribute their knowledge and experience in various creative topics.

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