(5) Base camp
We know sonnets can be intimidating but, the cool thing about this one is that Shakespeare starts with a single idea (that sexual desire is like an illness that leads to death) and lets his speaker run with it. (Extended metaphor, anyone?) So even though some of the language and word order can get tricky in Sonnet 147, you'll be okay if you keep in mind that desire = sickness and death. According to our speaker, anyway. If you get confused, you can always check out our "Summary" to set the record straight.