Introduction

The sonnets are almost all constructed from three four-line stanzas (called quatrains) and a final couplet composed in iambic pentameter (a meter used extensively in Shakespeare's plays) with the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg (this form is now known as the Shakespearean sonnet).The beginning of the third quatrain usually shifts in mood either a revelation or epiphany.Shakespeare wrote a total of 154 sonnets at the zenith of sonnet hysteria in England.

Theme of his sonnets

It is very clear that most of his sonnets are addressed to a young man whose charm, generosity and beauty are praised to heights. It is believed that the young man is most probably the Earl of Southampton. A total of 126 sonnets are addressed to this man and the rest of 26 are to a woman, referred to a Dark Lady, .The lady is suspected to be Mary Fitton .It is believed that there were some misunderstandings between the three and Shakespeare showed his displeasure through his sonnets during that phase. Most of the sonnets speak of love in general and explore subjects of misunderstandings, disappointment, betrayal etc.

Use of imagery

The lyrical quality of Shakespearean sonnets is maintained but the use of imager y is far from conventional. The images used indicate complex, emotional and intellectual feelings. Abstract images, concrete images like nature and human life are used abundantly. The imagery is either simile or a metaphor. There are many images he has used be it litreral, perceptual, visual, tactile, auditory (sound) or even images pertaining to taste.

Shakespeare's sonnet number 33

The sonnet number 33 is an important sonnet in terms of Shakespeare’s relationship with his male friend .The sonnet marks the misunderstanding between the two and Shakespeare’s unhappiness over it. Here is the   text of the sonnet:

Full many a glorious morning have I seen
Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye,
Kissing with golden face the meadows green,
Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy;
Anon permit the basest clouds to ride
With ugly rack on his celestial face,
And from the forlorn world his visage hide,
Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace:
Even so my sun one early morn did shine,
With all triumphant splendour on my brow;
But out, alack, he was but one hour mine,
The region cloud hath mask'd him from me now.
Yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth;
Suns of the world may stain when heaven's sun staineth

Paraphrasing of it :

Full many a glorious morning have I seen
Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye,

Shakespeare states that he has witnessed glorious mornings with sun(sovereign eye) kissing the mountain tops and lending it beauty and dignity .Likewise Sun(his friend)  has showered his full glory and kindness on him lending him beauty and love.

Anon permit the basest clouds to ride
With ugly rack on his celestial face,
And from the forlorn world his visage hide,
Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace:

But the sun sometimes gets hidden by the ugly clouds which mask his face and hide it from us and sometimes the celestial sun sets in the west without us even noticing it.

Even so my sun one early morn did shine,
With all triumphant splendour on my brow;
But out, alack, he was but one hour mine,
The region cloud hath mask'd him from me now.

Even Shakespeare’s sun (his friend) who once shone on him with kindness is now hidden by the ugly clouds of misunderstandings .Shakespeare is very sad about it .

Yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth;
Suns of the world may stain when heaven's sun staineth

But Shakespeare has no disdain towards his friend. Because he feels that when  the celestial sun  itself can be hidden by the ugly clouds  how can the earthly sun(his friend) escape such a fate. Shakespeare comes to term with it in a poignant way.