“Anne Hataway” is a sonnet written by Carol Ann Duffy in the poem “The World’s Wife”. Anne Hataway was the wife of William Shakespeare, the English poet, playwright and actor.

In the first quatrain, the narrator illustrates the intensity of the romantic, passionate relationship between the two lovers. The “pearls” in line three suggests that in their lovemaking, Anne and Shakespeare found something of precious. This intimate tone continues in the metaphor comparing her lover’s words to shooting stars, which fell to earth as kisses. Anne was seduced by her lover’s language and poetry.

In the second quatrain, the narrator extends the metaphorical language: Anne’s body is approached to her husband's hard, strong body. This comparison elevates her love to something of poetic using sensuality. At line eight, another reference to the bed that creates a link to the opening line of the poem. The bed become the symbol of their love.

The enjambment continues from line eight to extend the metaphor. The word romance is placed at the end of line nine to underline that this was the principle characteristic of their love. Next, the speaking voice compares their lovemaking with those who slept in the other bed, affirming that they can only be envious of Shakespeare poetry and that they can write only in prose. What the voice saying is: Shakespeare’s poetry is something of sublime and exceptional.

The final couplet ends with the rhyme of head and bed to provide a defined conclusion to the poem.