1. "Sonnet 18": This sonnet begins with the famous line "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" and goes on to compare the beloved to various aspects of nature, arguing that their beauty is superior.
2. "When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes": This sonnet explores themes of self-doubt, envy, and the speaker's desire to be remembered by future generations.
3. "The Rape of Lucrece": This long narrative poem tells the story of the rape of Lucrece by the villainous Tarquin, and the tragic consequences that follow.
4. "Venus and Adonis": Another long narrative poem, "Venus and Adonis" tells the story of the goddess Venus's attempts to seduce the young hunter Adonis, who is ultimately killed by a wild boar.
5. "A Lover's Complaint": This poem is written in the form of a complaint by a young woman who has been abandoned by her lover. She laments her lost love and the pain she feels as a result.