William Shakespeare. His name comes up and most people tend to cringe. Many remember studying this literary figure in school, but a deep appreciation for his writings are rarely developed through simple recitations of his prose. It is only when the readers of his sonnets truly delve into the mindset of the particular speaker in each poem and the possible intent, that the life and meaning behind the words surface and bring about an intriguing design. The fact that Shakespeare's life story is correlated in many ways through his work is at times utterly poignant. In each of his constructions of fourteen concise lines, Shakespeare develops a powerful image of the speaker's personality. By understanding the tone of the poem as well as the message of it, the speaker's character also aids in determining the relationship with the subject, or the "beloved."

One of the most prominent elements...