William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 4 Recited by James Louis Steed

An oration by James Louis Steed of the 4th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the fourth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Shakespeare compares the gifts of nature to those of commerce quite explicitly in this sonnet. The irony, though, is that nature’s gift to us of youth and the consequent beauty is not really a gift at all. It is really only on loan to us and it is up to us to, essentially, spend the gift wisely through rearing children.

William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 3 Recited by James Louis Steed

An oration by James Louis Steed of the 3rd of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the third of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Again, Shakespeare warns of the dire consequences of growing old and dying without having offspring. He does so by offering two different outcomes to the youth’s life. One being an empty future with gloomy golden years, while another is full of life and joy as he lives on through his future generations.

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Categorized as Oration

William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 2 Recited by James Louis Steed

An oration by James Louis Steed of the 2nd of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the second of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. The poem warns the fair youth being addressed that he will most certainly regret perpetuating his youthful debauchery when he reaches the ripe old age of forty, particularly if he ultimately ends up failing to marry and produce offspring.

William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 1 Recited by James Louis Steed

William Shakespeare’s Sonnet One (From Fairest Creatures We Desire Increase) is the 1st of his 154 sonnets published in 1609 and the First of the “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. It is a typical Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains followed by a couplet. It also has the characteristic rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem attempts to convince the fair youth that his reluctance to carry his unique qualities on through having children is selfish and self-destructive.