Which sonnets by Shakespeare are the most famous?

[thedaffodils]

Hello! Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets. I don’t think I have the ability and time to read them all. Could you please tell me which pieces of them are the most well-known by native speakers? Or which pieces do schoolchildren have to learn? I hope to read them first. Many thanks!

[Rebel]

I cannot say which one is the most popular, but my favourite is Sonnet CXVI.

Schoolchildren didn't study Shakespeare when I was a child such a long time ago. Maybe things have changed now.

[David L.]

Try 29.

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless** cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply* I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

** bootless= to no avail, achieving nothing

* haply = by chance, a stroke of luck

Wishing me like to one(1. some person) more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him(2 - another second person), like him(3, another third person) with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's (4) art and that man's(5) scope,
(That is, Shakespeare is as if looking at 5 different people, and noting how each seems more fortunate or blessed than he.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Rebel,

Thank you for your reply. I had thought schoolchildren would study some relatively simple works of Shakespeares like Chinese schoolchildren learn some classic poets.

[thedaffodils]

Hi David L.,

Thank you for your recommend. It is very thoughtful of you to add some helpful annotations.

There's something wrong with my Internet connection in these a few days. And I have some important things to deal with. I'll read it carefully a bit later.

[Anglika]

Sonnet 18; 64; 130; 116


These are all frequently used in anthologies.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Anglika,

Thank you for your answer.