An oration by James Louis Steed of the 14th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the fourteenth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Though this is considered part of the series of procreation sonnets, there is basically no reference to having children it. It does, however, have much of the same imagery of nature being cruel, etc. The poem is mostly about the author’s infatuation with the fair youth, in particular his eyes.
Tag: Poetry
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 13 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 13th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the thirteenth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Who would neglect his house and let it fall to waste from the barrages of winter and let his own life be the end of it? None but unthrifts who wile away their lives on selfish pursuits. Shakespeare has faith, though, that the youth is beyond this sort of end as he, once again, pleads with the him to have a child.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 12 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 12th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the twelfth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. As with all of nature, the fair youth is not beyond the ravages of time. As summers turn to winter, so too will the youthful beauty of the young man turn to gray and whither. How can he best prepare himself for the inevitable outcome? Why, by having a child of course!
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 11 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 11th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the eleventh of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. The fair youth’s superior human qualities make it especially important that he carry out the biological imperative, a plan developed by mother nature herself. If all humans believed as he does and decide not to follow the plan and bear children, it would mean the end of the race in three generations’ time.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 11 Full Poem Text
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet Eleven (As Fast As Thou Shalt Wane, So Fast Thou Grow’st) is the 11th of his 154 sonnets published in 1609 and the eleventh 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 fair youth’s superior human qualities make it especially important that he carry out the biological imperative, a plan developed by mother nature herself. If all humans believed as he does and decide not to follow the plan and bear children, it would mean the end of the race in three generations’ time. The sonnet is included here for reference and reading enjoyment.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 10 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 10th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the tenth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. There’s a fine line between love and hate and the fair youth is walking that line. Though he’s not walking it for the sake of his love of others. According to Shakespeare, his love of self is a self-destructive force that weighs more heavily on the hate side of the fine line.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 9 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 9th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the ninth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Shakespeare asks the fair youth if it is out of fear of leaving a young widow that he remain single. He then goes on to say that, if that is the case, it is still better to have loved and lost. And if he were to bear a child with his potential wife, he would live on through that child and not really be lost to her.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 8 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 8th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the eighth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Why is the fair youth annoyed by the harmony he sees in families around him? He enjoys music, does he not? Music is more than a single note and a single note is not music. He needs a family with him to witness the tranquil quality of harmony represented by the concept of polyphonic music in this sonnet.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 7 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 7th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the seventh of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Rather than dwelling on the cold winter this sonnet compares the life of the fair youth to the bright sun and its passage across the sky throughout the day. The warning, though, is still the same, if only a little more specific. Have a son or the setting sun of your life will be the last anyone will ever think of you.
William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 6 Recited by James Louis Steed
An oration by James Louis Steed of the 6th of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets published in 1609. This sonnet is the sixth of the author’s “Fair Youth” and “procreation” sonnets. Again, we see winter as a metaphor for aging as Shakespeare warns the fair youth about the prospect of growing old and dying before bearing children. In fact, there is a mathematical formula presented in this sonnet calculating just how happy the young man could be based off of the number of children he has!