AboutRandy Sus Expertise I`m a retired high school English teacher from central Wisconsin. I taught Shakespeare for years and am very familiar with his writing style, his themes, his sonnets, and most of his plays. I taught Julius Caesar, King Lear, Richard the Third, and A Midsummer Night`s Dream for years. I`ve memorized many of the lines from these plays and I know many sonnets by heart. I`d be glad to respond to questions regarding Shakespeare`s life, works, and times if anyone desired such information.
Experience I have a master's degree in education and I take most pride in having ENJOYED teaching for over 30 years. Not everyone can honestly say that.
I coached undefeated high school soccer teams for fun too. I like public relations work and have served on P.R. committees for most of my professional life. I continue to do so in retirement.
Question Somewhere I read that the sonnets were written to a male. Is there any evidence
for that? My reading of them suggests it could have been to male or female. Not
that I care as they are brilliant. But I am having a discussion with a tutor at
university about it.
Answer Hi, Alex,
Thanks for calling upon Allexperts" for information regarding the "aim" of Shakespeare's sonnets.
NO person can say with accuracy to or for whom the sonnets were written. One can expect that they were written FOR the several patrons Shakespeare earned during his lifetime. Since the patrons paid good money to Shakespeare to acknowledge them with his writing, it is not unlikely to feel that Shakespeare would "love" them and their devotion to his craft. He could demonstrate his love and gratitude in his works.
Both male and female patrons backed Shakespeare's writing efforts.
These four are the most famous.
Henry Wriothsley, the Earl of Southampton
Lord Chamberlain (lord of what escapes me now)
Queen Elizabeth I
King James I
there were others as well
When one wonders TO whom they were written, we can only guess. No doubt Shakespeare may have had affairs (both male and female) with others than his wife, but that is ONLY speculation. The sonnets deal with feelings that he shares with another--that is all we safely say accurately.
The sonnets are miraculous in their study/portrayal of life's conditions.
Ignorance and curiosity
Loving and being loved
Youth and innocence
Aging and death
Some express their message quite obviously while others seem obscure.
Some of life's questions are easily answered while others remain unanswered forever.
I'm glad that you find them "brilliant." They are that indeed!
I hope that you enjoy your continued study of the master Shakespeare.
