Shakespeare's Sonnets: Revised (The Arden Shakespeare Third Series, 14) Paperback – Illustrated, June 1, 2010

Shakespeare's Sonnets beggar praise. Anyone who can read English ought to read them--carefully! This is a beautiful edition. Each sonnet is printed on its own page, which makes it easier to focus on it; for one thing, you have the whole sonnet, never divided over two pages. On the facing page are annotations by the editor, which one can read when one wishes. As a bonus, the edition includes the poem "A Lover's Complaint." The 100-page introduction contains detailed discussion of the publication history and later reception of and responses to the Sonnets. There is a short section of critical discussion of the sonnets itself (85-103); even that section devotes many pages to relations between the sonnets and "A Lover's Complaint." This introduction is at a rather high level of philological detail, mostly of interest to experts and academics. The non-academic reader would be well advised to go straight to the sonnets and stay there, perusing the introduction only after thoroughly familiar with the sonnets and when moved by an interest in the more technical, philological issues. The book prints the sonnets in nicely legible type, and it is well bound. Some readers may prefer a smaller book, even at the expense of critical commentary and annotations. But I find this edition very satisfactory.

Just received the item! Love it and thank you.

The sonnets are annotated with grace, precision and completeness here. Virtually every puzzle (or potential quibble) is commented upon in the rich notes facing each sonnet, and if there are ambiguities, they are allowed to flourish, rather than being settled. So there's plenty left for the reader to do, deciding which way to tilt the reading, and great enjoyment to be had. Smart, comprehensive, and readable (though it's true that to speak of its being readable in the most literal sense requires me to squint while reading the notes in anything but bright light). This is the indispensable collection of Shakespeare's Sonnets for a reader interested in savoring their incredible richness.

My 1st collection of the Sonnets, the notes and editing are going to help in reading them.

GAVE 12 COPIES OF THIS TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S ENGLISH TEACHER FOR A THANK YOU GIFT FOR TEACHING HER FOR 4 YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL. A PRIVATE SCHOOL.... SHE LEARNED SOOOOO MUCH FROM DR. FARR.

Lovely as a summer's day...oh yes. Every woman must own this book. It says exactly what no living man seems to. Yet Will is like silk, he's so good at it.

The sonnets are set apart cleanly for review, and the explanatory notes are separate.There is also room for notes.

Very good!