# Sonnets explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

Referred to as 'our ever-living poet' in the dedication.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/sonnets
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters