From the first ten sonnets of Shakespeare, it is clear that he is in favor of procreation and believes it to be a disservice to oneself and the world not to do so. However, he moves around on the purpose in doing so. This seems to suggest that there would be many reasons for strongly believing one should procreate. These reasons are generally compatible, but I did find one contradiction. Sonnet 3 encourages procreation for the purpose of self service. Sonnet 3 states that one’s image dies when a person dies, if that person has not procreated. This same sonnet states the beauty of seeing one’s self in the body of a child is an exciting one. These ideas all seem to be in self service. On the other hand, almost every other sonnet states alternative purposes, such as giving the world what it is owed (sonnet 1) or perpetuating beauty. Sonnet 6 even specifically states, “Be not self-willed.” Are the feelings encouraged in sonnet 3 contradictory to the other sonnets of the first 10? Can these reasons for procreation exist in harmony? These thoughts all remind me of the section of the Vendler reading that discusses reading sonnets individually versus as a whole. Reading these sonnets all together give a very different picture of Shakespeare’s beliefs than reading one individually.