Hoarding the treasure and squandering the truth: giving and possessing in Shakespeare's sonnets to the young man

Focuses on "The Sonnets," by William Shakespeare to examine the nature of the poet-speaker's struggle to confer his gift upon a man of superior social status, from whom he desires reciprocation of some kind. Discussion of the problematic notions of valuation, ownership and obligation in the poem; Information on the application of gift theory to the poetry of Shakespeare; Problems raised by "The Sonnets" about giving praise in the hope of a reward.