Willie Hughes

Willie Hughes

William Hughes is one potential candidate for the person on whom the 'Fair Youth' of Shakespeare's Sonnets is based (if the sonnets are autobiographical). The 'Fair Youth' is a handsome, effeminate young man to whom the poet addresses many passionate sonnets. Some sonnets can be interpreted as puns on the name 'William Hughes'. However, no real life person of that name can easily be identified with the character.