Sonnet 76

Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare (1593)

This is one of Shakespeare’s rare narrative poems with similar imagery to “Sonnet 76,” which is believed to be inspired by the same mysterious “Fair Youth” as his poetry canon.

“Sonnet 38” by William Shakespeare (1609)

“Sonnet 76” is considered a thematic continuation of “Sonnet 38”; they share similar story threads and motifs, and both explore the connection between art and love.

“Sonnet 77” by William Shakespeare (1609)

This poem immediately follows “Sonnet 76” and marks the exact halfway point in Shakespeare’s collection of 154 sonnets.

“Loving in Truth” by Sir Philip Sidney (c. 1580)

Another traditional sonnet that explores the relationship between love and creative stagnation.

“Who Was William Shakespeare’s Fair Youth?” by Camryn Anthony (2021)

This article explores possible identities of Shakespeare’s “Fair Youth” depicted in many of his sonnets and the possible relationship the two may have had.

“Queering Shakespeare” by Sandra Newman (2019)

This essay questions the realities of Shakespeare’s hidden sexuality and the literary debates surrounding the autobiographical nature of his sonnets.

“Christopher Marlowe credited as Shakespeare's co-writer” (2016)

The BBC provides news coverage of the additional writer’s credit in New Oxford Shakespeare, a move which sparked heated criticism and debate in the academic community.