* To express his thoughts and feelings. Poetry allowed Shakespeare to explore his innermost thoughts and feelings in a way that was both personal and creative. He could use poetry to express his love, his grief, his anger, and his joy.
* To communicate with others. Poetry was a way for Shakespeare to communicate with others about important issues of the day. He could use poetry to comment on political events, social issues, and moral dilemmas.
* To create beauty. Poetry was a way for Shakespeare to create beauty and to give pleasure to his readers. He took great care in crafting his poems, and he often used beautiful language and imagery to create a sense of wonder and awe.
* To experiment with language. Poetry allowed Shakespeare to experiment with language in a way that was not possible in his plays. He could use different poetic forms, rhythms, and meters to create unique and original effects.
* To have fun. Shakespeare simply enjoyed writing poetry. He found it to be a stimulating and rewarding experience, and he took great pride in his work.
Shakespeare's poems are a testament to his genius as a writer. They are beautiful, insightful, and moving, and they offer a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest writers of all time.