A simple question with a startling answer ... Q: How many Shakespeare sonnets are there? A: Just the right amount to match the maximum number of syllables in a sonnet.
I've just been flicking through Shakespeare on Toast by Ben Crystal and found this curious little fact. Here's the maths ...
- Shakespeare's sonnets are written in iambic pentameter = 10 syllables per line
- It is possible to use a feminine ending on each line = 11 syllables per line
- The sonnet form has 14 lines
So, the maximum number of syllables that any sonnet can contain is 11x14 = 154 ... which exactly matches the total number of sonnets penned by the Bard.
I wonder if Shakespeare was aware of this? Perhaps he had "154" in mind when he sat down to pen his very first sonnet? Or perhaps it's far too easy to discover codes in Shakespeare's writing? An interesting idea nonetheless.
Photo © Lee Jamieson
Comments
I just hope that none of them got left out of the cycle in order to keep the count correct.
This is very interesting. However, if you study the sonnets as closely as I have and read and listen to them over and over in shuffle mode on your iPod; one thing becomes very clear–the same person did not write all 154 sonnets. Or at least the same time person didn’t write all of them at the same stage in his life. But I’m inclined to think it was another hand altogether.
That little calculation happens to be my insight on the reason for there being 154 sonnets. Sorry Ben.
The idea being he wrote a series of sonnets based on the maximum number of syllables you can put in a sonnet.
Totally unprovable of course but a nice symmetry to the whole thing.
yours
Will
Hey Cyn i’d love to hear more about your theory. Find the iloveshakespeare blog group on facebook and we’ll talk!
This Is CRAZY, I HATE THIS
That did not answer my question
I disagree with all of your thoughts. The correct number would have to be 1000527.
I am actually grateful to the owner of this website who has shared this great article at here.
this dosn’t make sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!