"Sweets with sweets war not"

Examining Shakespeare’s Use of Musicality in Sonnet VIII

Abstract

This essay, composed for a first-year writing seminar at Blair, considers the musicality of Shakespeare’s Sonnet VIII. It argues that Shakespeare deliberately chose stylistic elements within the text in order to link musical language to the sonnet’s promotion of marriage as a worthy life goal. 

For additional context, listen to the author's reflection on the piece below.