Download A Lover’s Complaint by William Shakespeare. A poetic tale of seduction and regret. Available in PDF, EPUB, and MOBI formats.
A Lover’s Complaint Summary
A Lover’s Complaint by William Shakespeare is a narrative poem that originally appeared alongside his Sonnets in 1609. Written in rhyme royal stanzas, it tells the sorrowful tale of a young woman deceived by a charming but faithless lover. As she recounts her betrayal, Shakespeare explores themes of desire, deception, and the frailty of youthful judgment.
A Lover’s Complaint Excerpt
Short Summary: A young woman sits beside a river, unburdening her heart to an old man. Her tale? Of beauty misused, vows betrayed, and love’s illusions cruelly dispelled.
"O father, what a hell of false delight / Hath thy old age made thy youth yield to night."
The speaker recounts how her lover, adorned with eloquence and tears, wooed her soul before abandoning it. Shakespeare masterfully blends sensuality with sorrow, as the poem reflects on the manipulative allure of words and appearances.
Written in the same year as the Sonnets, this piece complements their introspective tone. Here, however, the voice is feminine, the regret sharper, and the aftermath public. It offers a Shakespearean twist on pastoral lament, richer in psychological detail and darker in consequence.
Though lesser known, A Lover’s Complaint reveals Shakespeare’s lyrical depth beyond drama—his ability to channel emotional turmoil into the steady cadence of a poetic confession.
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