The Most Popular Shakespearean Sonnet, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the sonnet you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:48
Shakespeare's sonnets offer a treasure trove of eloquence, insight, and emotion, capturing the complexity of human feelings with remarkable precision and beauty. However, amidst his expansive catalog, some sonnets resonate more profoundly with contemporary audiences, making it useful to see which ones rise to the top in popular opinion.
By participating in ranking these beloved poems, users contribute to a collective evaluation that helps highlight the most impactful work, according to public perspective. This process not only aids in new readers' discovery of Shakespeare’s masterpieces but also enhances our understanding of the timeless relevance of these texts.
What Is the Most Popular Shakespearean Sonnet?
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154votes
Sonnet 18
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is one of the most famous and beloved of all of Shakespeare's sonnets. It is often referred to by its first line, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" The poem is a tribute to the beauty and eternal nature of love and the beloved.Sonnet 18, also known as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?", is one of the most popular sonnets written by William Shakespeare. It is a beautiful and timeless poem that compares the beauty of a beloved person to the beauty of a perfect summer day.- Sonnet number: 18
- Number of lines: 14
- Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
- Meter: Iambic pentameter
- Themes: Love, beauty, mortality
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222votes
Sonnet 116
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is often considered one of Shakespeare's most powerful and moving love poems. It deals with the nature of true love and the enduring power of that love over time.Sonnet 116 is one of the most popular Shakespearean sonnets, known for its timeless exploration of love and its ability to withstand challenges. It expresses a deep and unwavering belief in the enduring nature of true love.- Title: Sonnet 116
- Form: Sonnet
- Meter: Iambic pentameter
- Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
- Theme: Love and steadfastness
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315votes
Sonnet 130
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a playful and satirical take on the traditional love sonnet. Instead of praising his beloved's beauty, Shakespeare pokes fun at her imperfections and celebrates her unique qualities.Sonnet 130, also known as My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun, is one of the most famous and often analysed sonnets written by William Shakespeare. It is part of his collection of 154 sonnets which were first published in 1609.- Title: Sonnet 130
- Alternative Title: My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun
- Publication Year: 1609
- Form: Shakespearean sonnet
- Structure: 14 lines in iambic pentameter
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417votes
Sonnet 73
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. It is often read as a reflection on the aging process and the importance of cherishing the time we have.Sonnet 73 is a famous Shakespearean sonnet that explores the themes of aging, death, and the passage of time. It depicts the speaker's realization of his own mortality and the gradual decay of both his physical and emotional being.- Form: Shakespearean sonnet
- Meter: Iambic pentameter
- Structure: Fourteen lines (three quatrains and a couplet)
- Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
- Theme: Aging, death, and the passing of time
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515votes
Sonnet 29
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a confession of the speaker's feelings of isolation and despair. It is often read as a reflection on the human condition and the need for love and companionship.Sonnet 29 is one of the most popular Shakespearean sonnets. It explores the themes of self-doubt, love, and the transformative power of beauty. The speaker of the sonnet goes through a series of emotions, starting with feelings of despair and envy, but ultimately finds solace in the thought of a loved one.- Figures of Speech: Metaphor, simile, imagery
- Form: Petrarchan sonnet (14 lines, iambic pentameter)
- Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
- Theme: Self-doubt, love, beauty
- Structure: Three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet
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613votes
Sonnet 55
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a celebration of the power of poetry to preserve beauty and memory. It is often read as a reflection on the importance of art and literature in our lives.Sonnet 55 is one of the most popular Shakespearean sonnets, known for its theme of immortality and eternal fame through poetry. It stands out for its lofty language and poetic imagery, making it a masterpiece of English literature.- Sonnet Type: Shakespearean Sonnet
- Number: 55
- Meter: Iambic Pentameter
- Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCDEFEFGG
- Theme: Immortality, Poetry, Eternal Fame
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79votes
Sonnet 2
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a meditation on the power of procreation and the importance of passing on one's legacy to future generations. It is often read as a reflection on the human desire for immortality.Sonnet 2 is one of Shakespeare's most popular sonnets. It is part of his collection of 154 sonnets, written in the late 16th century.- Form: Shakespearean sonnet
- Meter: Iambic pentameter
- Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCDEFEFGG
- Theme: The passing of time and the importance of procreation
- Structure: Three quatrains followed by a rhyming couplet
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813votes
Sonnet 116
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is often considered one of Shakespeare's most powerful and moving love poems. It deals with the nature of true love and the enduring power of that love over time.Sonnet 116 is one of the most popular Shakespearean sonnets, known for its timeless exploration of love and its ability to withstand challenges. It expresses a deep and unwavering belief in the enduring nature of true love.- Title: Sonnet 116
- Form: Sonnet
- Meter: Iambic pentameter
- Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
- Theme: Love and steadfastness
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91votes
Sonnet 147
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a meditation on the speaker's own conflicted emotions and desires. It is often read as a reflection on the human struggle between reason and passion.Sonnet 147 is one of William Shakespeare's 154 sonnets. It explores the theme of love and desire, focusing on the conflicted emotions of the speaker in relation to his beloved.- Theme: Love and desire
- Number: 147
- Structure: Written in iambic pentameter with three quatrains and a final couplet
- Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCDEFEFGG
- Setting: Emotional turmoil and internal struggle
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108votes
Sonnet 130
William ShakespeareThis sonnet is a playful and satirical take on the traditional love sonnet. Instead of praising his beloved's beauty, Shakespeare pokes fun at her imperfections and celebrates her unique qualities.Sonnet 130, also known as My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun, is one of the most famous and often analysed sonnets written by William Shakespeare. It is part of his collection of 154 sonnets which were first published in 1609.- Title: Sonnet 130
- Alternative Title: My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun
- Publication Year: 1609
- Form: Shakespearean sonnet
- Structure: 14 lines in iambic pentameter
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular sonnet
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Popularity among readersA popular Shakespearean sonnet should have a wide readership and be appreciated by a large group of people.
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Language and imageryA popular Shakespearean sonnet should have rich and vivid language, as well as effective use of imagery.
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Complexity and depthThe best sonnets are complex and thought-provoking, with multiple layers of meaning.
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MusicalityIn addition to its content, a popular Shakespearean sonnet should be aesthetically pleasing and rhythmically attractive when read aloud.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Shakespearean sonnet. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Sonnet is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2021 views
- 162 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Sonnet once every 24 hours. The rank of each Sonnet is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular shakespearean sonnet
Shakespearean sonnets are revered by literature enthusiasts all over the world. These 14-line poems follow a strict rhyme scheme and are traditionally written in iambic pentameter. William Shakespeare is known for writing 154 sonnets that cover a wide range of themes, from love and beauty to time and mortality.
Among these 154 sonnets, there are a few that stand out as particularly popular. Many readers and scholars consider Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?") to be one of Shakespeare's greatest works. This sonnet, along with Sonnet 116 ("Let me not to the marriage of true minds"), Sonnet 130 ("My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun"), and Sonnet 29 ("When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes"), are often cited as the most beloved Shakespearean sonnets.
Each of these sonnets has its own unique style and message, but they all showcase Shakespeare's mastery of language and his ability to capture complex emotions in just a few lines. Whether you're a longtime fan of Shakespeare or a newcomer to his work, exploring his sonnets is a rewarding experience that is sure to deepen your appreciation for his contributions to literature.
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