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Poetry · Chapter
Sonnets explained
The opening dedication of Shakespeare's Sonnets, addressed to 'Mr.
What happens
The opening dedication of Shakespeare's Sonnets, addressed to 'Mr. W. H.', expresses a wish for eternal happiness as promised by the poet's immortal verse.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Immortality
The dedication promises 'that eternity promised by our ever-living poet,' linking the sonnets to the theme of achieving immortality through poetry.
Characters to notice
- William Shakespeare
Referred to as 'our ever-living poet' in the dedication.
Key passages
“To the only begetter of these ensuing sonnets Mr. W. H. all happiness and that eternity promised by our ever-living poet wisheth the well-wishing adventure in setting forth T. T.”
To the sole inspirer of these sonnets, Mr. W. H., may you have all happiness and the eternal life promised by our immortal poet, wishes the well-intentioned publisher, T. T.
This opening dedication frames the sonnets as a gift offering eternal fame to the dedicatee.