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This is a very detailed psycho-analytical study of Shakespeare's Sonnets and several of his plays, with the aid of which the author attempts to solve the much discussed mystery behind the triangular situation created by the Poet, the Dark Lady, and the Fair Youth of the Sonnets. The literature concerning itself directly or indirectly with this theme is certainly most profuse, and the various interpretations, explanations, and apologies by many commentators have given rise throughout the centuries to a great deal of heated controversy and to irreconcilable achools of thought.
In his introduction the author writes: 'The structure of this study reflects the chronological development of the conclusions reached in the way in which this would be carried out in therapeutic treatment. Furthermore, it fully bears the character of a case study with all the unexpected turns pertaining to it.'
A psycho-analytic study of this kind, based on very meagre historical data on the one hand and on creations of a high artistic level on the other, has of necessity its self-imposed limitations with regard to that degree of scientific accuracy which, by comparison, we would aim at in a clinical case study. However convincing the conclusions may seem (and Dr. Van Emde Boas reaches many conclusions which sound very convincing) the most important corroborative material, i.e. Shakespeare's own free associations, are lacking. It must be stated in fairness that the author is aware of this, and he does not make more than modest claims for the accuracy of his findings.
Two main themes constitute the foci of this extensive study: the poet's depression which is generally believed to have set in round 1601, and his latent homosexuality (subject homo-eroticism) which, in the author's view plays the most important part in the genesis and development of his depressed condition. A substantial part of the book is taken up in tracing these latent homosexual character traits and the 'friendship' sonnets