Shakespeare's Sonnets

This BBC podcast episode of "In Our Time" features Robert Douglas-Fairhurst leading a discussion with Hannah Crawforth, Don Paterson, and Emma Smith about Shakespeare's Sonnets. The discussion covers the sonnets' historical context, publication, and form, including the Elizabethan sonnet tradition and the impact of James I's court. The panel explores the themes within the sonnets, such as love, time, and the complexities of the "Dark Lady" figure, as well as specific sonnets like 18, 116, and 129. The experts also delve into the biographical elements, the use of language, and the sonnets' reception and influence over time, including their modern interpretations and impact on later poets.