An extensive overview of Shakespeare’s life, world, and sonnets by the general editor of the Signet Classics Shakespeare series, Sylvan Barnet, Tufts University Special introduction to The Sonnets, by W. H. Auden Literary criticism by William Empson, Hallett Smith, Winifred M. T. Nowottny, and Helen Vendler Detailed footnotes at the bottom of each page of the sonnets List of recommended reading All text printed in the clearest, most readable type