The phoenix and the turtledove are both symbols of love, devotion, and perfection. In this allegorical poem, Shakespeare depicts the funeral arrangements for the Phoenix and the Turtledove, representing love, unity, and marriage in the tragedy of their deaths.

Known as “The Bard of Avon,” William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest English-language writer known. Enormously popular during his life, Shakespeare’s works continue to resonate more than three centuries after his death, as has his influence on theatre and literature. Shakespeare’s innovative use of character, language, and experimentation with romance as tragedy served as a foundation for later playwrights and dramatists, and some of his most famous lines of dialogue have become part of everyday speech.

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