English Sonnets

An archive of English sonnets (dating back to the early 16th century), commentary, and relevant web links and a forum for poets to share and discuss their own work.

All the sonnets are provided here, with descriptive commentary attached to each one, giving explanations of difficult and unfamiliar words and phrases, and with a full analysis of any special problems of interpretation which arise. Follow the instructions below to find your way around. Sonnets by other Elizabethan poets are also included, Spenser, Sidney, Drayton and a few other minor authors. The poems of Sir Thomas Wyatt are also given, with both old and modern spelling versions, and with brief notes provided.

The sonnet is arguably the most important lyric form in the English language.