Section 11 Summary

Sonnet 106: Reviewing literature of the past, in praise of beautiful women and brave knights, the poet says he finds nothing adequate to describe his lady. All those efforts were but prelude to the majestic language required to do her justice, Shakespeare writes.

Sonnet 107: The poet tells his lady love that his verse will keep her forever young and beautiful, and ensure the immortality of his name because his lines will outlive the pomp and circumstance of petty tyrants and of time.

Sonnet 108: Addressing himself to "sweet boy," Shakespeare asks whether there are any words or art that could accurately reflect the qualities of his beloved. Their "eternal love" will outlive the dust of time and the insults of age, he says.

Sonnet 110: Shakespeare admits he's traveled far and wide, and probably looks world-weary from his pursuit of experience and knowledge. But, he says, he's found everything he's...