Sonnet 104

“Sonnet 104” is one of the sonnets addressed to the “fair youth” (as literary critics dub him) that make up the first 126 of William Shakespeare’s 154-sonnet sequence. There has been much speculation over the years about the identity of the youth, although some commentators suggest that the sonnets may not be autobiographical. It is more likely, they say, that Shakespeare simply wanted to explore in sonnet form themes of love, beauty, and time, as well as the emotional entanglements and jealousies that come into play with the entry of the “rival poet” (Sonnets 78-86) and the “dark lady” (Sonnets 127-52). Those who believe the sonnets are autobiographical, however, point out that these are the only poems in which Shakespeare writes in the first person, and he also refers to his name as “Will” and puns on it (Sonnets 135, 136, 143). Therefore, many readers, believing that Shakespeare is telling a personal story, are curious about the identity of the friend. Various candidates have been put forward as to who he might be, but the two who are mentioned most frequently are Henry Wriothesley, third Earl of Southampton, (1573-1624) and William Herbert, third Earl of Pembroke (1580-1630).