"When I was an undergraduate I had very badly annotated editions of Shakespeare's sonnets, all of which left out the important fact that will has a sexual sense in Shakespeare's sonnets"

This quote by Thom Gunn speaks with the nuances and often complicated layers of language and meaning in literary works, especially those of William Shakespeare. Gunn reviews his experience with the editions of Shakespeare's sonnets he encountered as an undergraduate, keeping in mind that they were "really badly annotated". This review suggests that the editions stopped working to properly clarify or maybe even acknowledge the depth and richness of Shakespeare's use of language.

The key point Gunn highlights is the omission of the sexual undertone of the word "will" within the sonnets. In Elizabethan English, "will" had numerous significances; it might describe desire, intent, and firm, but it also carried sexual undertones. Shakespeare was a master of wordplay, and his use of language was frequently layered with puns and doubles entendre. In the context of his sonnets, "will" can be analyzed in different ways-- sometimes describing individual desire or decision, other times hinting at libido or want.

Gunn's observation underscores the value of extensive and informative annotation in literary texts, specifically those as complex as Shakespeare's. Without understanding the complete series of significances, a reader may miss out on significant elements of the text's humor, styles, and character dynamics. When editors disregard to highlight these significances, they potentially obscure a reader's analysis and appreciation of the work.

In essence, Gunn's quote is a reflection on the wider themes of literary analysis and interpretation. It acknowledges the complexity of Shakespeare's language and stresses the significance of annotations that can guide readers to a much deeper understanding of the text. This works as a suggestion of the obligation associated with modifying classic works and the need for a nuanced method in recording the essence of such influential literature.