The Sonnets of William Shakespeare, a cycle of 154 linked poems, were first published in 1609. Filled with ideas about love, beauty and mortality, they are written in the same beautiful and innovative language that we have come to know from Shakespeare's plays. The first 126 sonnets are addressed to a young man known as the 'Fair Youth', while others are directed at a 'Rival Poet', and a 'Dark Lady'. This Macmillan Collector's Library edition contains all of the poems, which explore many of Shakespeare's most common themes: jealousy, betrayal, melancholy. They ache with unfulfilled longing and, tor many readers, they are the most complete and moving meditation; on love ever written. With an introduction by playwright and screenwriter Peter Harness.