The ‘Dark Lady’ Sonnets

Abstract

The way in which the previous chapters theorised subjection is the basis for the reading of the ‘dark lady’ sonnets. Here I will be concerned firstly with the dark lady herself, and it should be obvious by now that my analysis will depart from traditional criticism in various ways. The conventional position is exemplified by A.L. Rowse. He begins his chapter on this figure in his book Shakespeare The Man as follows:

It would seem to have been towards the end of 1592 that a still more serious complication entered the relationship, to endanger it further. The snake had already entered paradise, and destroyed its pristine innocence, with a woman. This was the woman with whom Shakespeare became infatuated — and who made him suffer correspondingly — and with whom he had involved his patron.¹