CONTEXT

• Renaissance period sonnet - Focused on the traditional classical outlooks of love. True love is everlasting and unconditional.
• English society had become more peaceful during the reign of Elizabeth I - allowed people to become introspective (reflecting on emotions)
• Petrarchan sonnet
• Written at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Elizabeth supported the arts, literature and poetry. Shakespeare was also living in a time of uncommon peace in terms of politics and war.