The Poems

Narrative and lyrical works showcase the depth of Shakespeare's poetic experimentation.

Venus and Adonis (1593)

Based on Ovid's Metamorphoses, this erotic narrative poem depicts the goddess Venus’s unrequited lust for the beautiful young hunter Adonis.

The Rape of Lucrece (1594)

A serious narrative poem concerning the legendary Roman noblewoman Lucrece and the psychological aftermath of Tarquin's assault.

The Passionate Pilgrim (1598)

An anthology of twenty poems. While attributed to Shakespeare upon publication, only a selection are definitively his work.

The Phoenix and the Turtle (1601)

An allegorical mourning poem describing the death of ideal love through the mystical union of a phoenix and a turtledove.

A Lover's Complaint (1609)

A narrative poem featuring a young woman recounting her seduction and abandonment by a deceptive, charismatic youth.