Oxford was nephew to the late Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517-1547), who (with Sir Thomas Wyatt) wrote the first English sonnets in the form to become known as the "Shakespearean" form.
Acting and the Stage: "As an imperfect actor on the stage" - Sonnet 23
Oxford patronized two acting companies, performed in "enterludes" at Court and was well known for his "comedies" or stage plays.
Alchemy: "Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy" - Sonnet 33
Oxford studied with astrologer Dr. John Dee, who experimented with alchemy, and both men invested in the Frobisher voyages.
Astronomy: "And yet methinks I have astronomy" - Sonnet 14
Oxford was well acquainted with the "astronomy" or astrology of Dr. Dee and was praised for his knowledge of the subject.
Bible: "No, I am that I am..." - Sonnet 121
Oxford wrote to Burghley using the same words in the same tone (the words of God to Moses in the Bible) to protest his spying on him.
Cup: "And to his palate doth prepare the cup" - Sonnet 114
Oxford's ceremonial role as Lord Great Chamberlain included bringing the "tasting cup" to the monarch.
Fancy Clothing: "Some in their garments, though new-fangled ill" - Sonnet 91
Oxford was the "Italianate Englishman" known (and mocked) for wearing new-fangled clothing from the Continent.
Five Hundred Years: "O that record could with a backward look,
Even of five hundred courses of the Sunne" - Sonnet 59
Oxford's earldom extended back five hundred years to the time of William the Conqueror.
Flowers: "Of different flowers in odor and in hue" - Sonnet 98
Oxford was raised amid the great gardens of William Cecil, whose well-known gardner imported flowers that had never been seen in England -- accounting for Shakespeare's vast knowledge of flowers.
Forty Winters: "When forty shall beseige thy brow" - Sonnet 2
Oxford was forty years old in 1590, when most commentators feel the opening sonnets were written.
Hawks: "Of more delight than hawks or horses be" - Sonnet 91
Oxford was a falconry expert who wrote youthful poetry comparing women to hawks "that fly from man to man."
High Birth: "Thy love is better than high birth to me" - Sonnet 91
Oxford was hereditary Lord Great Chamberlain, highest-ranking earl of England by birth.
Horsemanship: "Then can no horse with my desire keep pace" - Sonnet 51
Oxford was an expert horseback rider and two-time champion of her Majesty's tiltyard.
Hounds: "Some in their hawks and hounds" - Sonnet 91
Oxford was steeped from childhood in this favorite pastime of the nobility.
Jewelry: "As on the finger of a a throned Queen, /
The basest Jewel will be well esteemed" - Sonnet 96
Oxford gave the Queen "a fair jewel of gold" with diamonds in 1580.
Lameness: "Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt" - Sonnet 89
Oxford was lamed during a street fight with swords in 1582.
Legal Knowledge: "To guard the lawful reasons on thy part" - Sonnet 49
Oxford studied law at Gray's Inn and served as a judge at the treason trials of Norfolk, Mary Stuart and Essex. His personal letters are filled with evidence of his intimate knowledge of the law.
Lute: "Mark how one string, sweet husband to another" - Sonnet 8
Oxford was an accomplished musician and wrote music for the lute.
Medicine: "Potions of Eisel 'gainst my strong infection" - Sonnet 111
Oxford's surgeon was Dr. George Baker, who dedicated three books to either the earl or his wife Anne Cecil.
Monument: "And thou in this shalt find thy monument" - Sonnet 107
Oxford wrote to Thomas Bedingfield in 1573 that "I shall erect you such a monument..."
Music: "Music to hear, why hear'st thou music sadly" - Sonnet 8
Oxford was patron of John Farmer, the musical composer, who dedicated two songbooks to him, praising his musical knowledge.
Name: "My name be buried where my body is" - Sonnet 72
Oxford wrote in his early poetry that "the only loss of my good name is of these griefs the ground."
Old Age: "But when my glass shows me myself indeed, /
Beated and chopped with tanned antiquity" - Sonnet 62
Oxford was past age fifty in 1601, when Sonnet 62 was written (according to the new paradigm presented in THE MONUMENT by Hank Whittemore).
Physical Skill: "Some glory in their birth, some in their skill" - Sonnet 91
Oxford challenged all comers in Palermo, Italy to combat with horses and weapons of any kind, but there were no takers.
Virginals: "Upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds" - Sonnet 128
Oxford was an intimate favorite of the Queen, who frequently played on the virginals.
Water: "Myself bring water for my stain" - Sonnet 109
Oxford was "water-bearer to the monarch" at the Coronation of King James on July 25, 1603, in his capacity as Lord Great Chamberlain.
Wealth: "Some glory in their birth, some in their skill, /
Some in their wealth..."
Oxford had inherited great wealth in the form of many estates, but he lost most of this wealth during his lifetime.