The extent to which Shakespeare derived the inspiration for his plays and Sonnets from the Bible has sparked debate for centuries. Although much research has been done on Shakespeare's plays, a comprehensive analysis of his Sonnets has been absent, until now. This book gives a detailed examination of Shakespeare's Sonnets, identifying their underlying spiritual themes at the religious and scriptural levels of interpretation.

Numbering more than 150, Shakespeare's sonnets have contributed significantly to discussions of the elusive character of the Bard. While most of the poems are addressed to a young man, others invoke the renowned Dark Lady. Each sonnet is interpreted, focusing on language particular to the poem, as well as on how the sonnet form furthers meaning. In addition, Shakespeare's major themes of love and beauty; mutability; and time and immortality are explored.

Annotation In a revision of his 1997 doctoral thesis for the Iliff School of Theology, Vance (biblical languages and literature, Oral Roberts U.) contributes to the long debate about the meter of poetry in the Bible and what if any relationship it has to classical Hebrew poetry as it is found in the Hebrew Bible. He argues that none of the metrical theories proposed has been thoroughly tested against the entire corpus of Hebrew poetic texts, relying instead on sampling and extrapolation. He reviews those theories, beginning with that of Philo of Alexandria, by categories such as quantitative, accentual, and syllabic. Then he analyzes the meter of selected texts, particularly from Lamentations and Psalms. He indexes only ancient and modern authors. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.

The purpose of this volume is to analyze some of the sonnets of Shakespeare that offer difficulties or problems of interpretation which can be resolved by the use of the proper contexts. -- from book jacket.

When, why and to whom were Shakespeare's Sonnets written, and are they abstract works of art or the poet's own reactions to actual situations and events? If the latter, what have they to tell us about Shakespeare the man? Today, scholars remain sharply divided over these questions. In this book the author demonstrates that by carefully setting the Sonnets against the historical and literary background of the period it is possible not merely to suggest convincing answers to all these problems but to date almost every sonnet to within less than six months. With fascinating material, together with a deep and sympathetic understanding of the poetry itself, Mr. Wait restores the vivid pictures which Shakespeare's images were intended to convey, while at the same time building a strong case for his own elucidation of one of the greatest of literary enigmas. -- From publisher's description.