ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -While William Shakespeare’s reputation is based primarily on his plays, he became famous first as a poet.

Detailed explanation-2: -Written in 1609 and undoubtedly the best known of the 154 sonnets written by English playwright William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18 has emerged as the nation’s favourite poem, coming top with 18% of the vote.

Detailed explanation-3: -In this sonnet, Shakespeare also claims to have the power to preserve his love’s beauty through poetry which has lead critics such as James Boyd-White to claim that it is actually ‘one long exercise in self-glorification’ rather than a love poem. The sonnet begins with conveying the beauty of Shakespeare’s love.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Perhaps the most famous of all the sonnets is Sonnet 18, where Shakespeare addresses a young man to whom he is very close.