Shakespeare's Sonnet 30 and Tennyson's In Memoriam

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Loss has been experienced over centuries and many poets have written on the subject. William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 and Alfred Lord Tennyson’s In Memoriam are two poems from different eras that express the idea of loss. Both were written after the loss of a close male friend, and both are only one poem from a series of poems. Shakespeare lived in England where he was born in 1564 and died in 1616 and Tennyson also lived in England where he was born in 1809 and died in 1892, the poems being written in 1609 and between 1833 and 1850 respectively. Whilst the poet’s historical and cultural contexts are different, and there are differences in structure and poetic devices used in the two poems, there are also similarities in the expression and feelings engendered by the loss of a loved one.

William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 continues the theme of the previous sonnet, Sonnet 29, with its memories of youth. It is believed to be one of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets. It is believed that the sonnets were written about the convincing of a young man, with whom the poet seemed to have a romantic interest in (sonnets 1-126). The finale sonnets (127-154) are addressed to a women known as the dark lady. Sonnet 30 is written in relation to Sonnet 29’s theme, that memories of the youth are precious. (Mabillard, A., 2000) During the 16th and 17th century, the time of the Renaissance where there was a rebirth of art and literature, and Shakespeare was one of its most celebrated poet and playwright. However, the 17th century was also a time when the Plague and the Civil War in England took many lives. People during Shakespearean times were used to death and loss.

Tennyson’s full poem of In Memoriam was written between the years of 1833 and 1850. ...

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...alysis-of-in-memoriam-vii-by-alfred.html http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/30detail.html http://www.gradesaver.com/tennysons-poems/study-guide/section16/ http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-can-tennysons-memoriam-part-7-paraphrased-427484 (2006, 04). Sonnet 30. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 04, 2006, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Sonnet-30-84810.html
Analysis of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30, unknown date, unknown author. Accessed 9/04/14
Robson, W., 2013, Major Literary Work, Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed on 8/04/14
Mabillard, Amanda. Introduction to Shakespeare's Sonnets. Shakespeare Online. 30 Aug. 2000. Accessed 9/04/14 < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/sonnetintroduction.html >

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