Shakespeare Sonnet XXIX

This is sonnet #29 by William Shakespeare. I learned it by repeatedly listening to Beauty and the Beast: Of Love and Hope, a collection of music from the TV show (credit Lee Holdridge) and various poems recited by Ron Perlman, who played Vincent.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• shakespeare
• sonnet
• xxix
• 29
• poem
• jjuran

[WillSkarlet]

Very nice. The ambient light added an emotional element.

[jjuran]

Thank you. I couldn't disable the LCD screen's backlight, so I used it to my advantage. :-)

[jerarc]

Expressions are also very important. They express whether the reader understands the meaning. Excelent.

[jjuran]

"Expressions are also very important. They express whether the reader understands the meaning. Excelent."

Funny you mention that. I recently realized to my chagrin that I misinterpreted the line "Yet in these thoughts, myself almost despis'ng".

I originally thought it was intended to be cynical and bitter (following a litany of complaints ending with "With what I most enjoy, contented least").

(continued)

[jjuran]

(part 2)

But in fact the line begins a new stanza, one which is not merely joyful, but euphoric. The conjunction "Yet" indicates contradiction of "these thoughts" of self-loathing; something supersedes them.

In other words (paraphrased), "Even while in this foulest of moods, I happen to think of you, and then I'm delighted."

So rather than bitter, in this line I now see the speaker poking fun at himself for being so dramatic.

So, now I understand the meaning. :-)

[Lightexpand]

This is a very nice--and believable--reading. The joy and the music at the end are themselves "Like to the lark at break of day arising..."

[jjuran]

Thank you!

I can't take full credit for the choice of music, though, since I took it from Perlman's reading of the same poem.

[SerenSeven]

CREEPY.

[missbabyice]

Part 2:

The brilliant thing about the sonnet is that it can be read in many different ways. On its own, it can take on a brighter significance (when I'm a bit down, i think about you and realise how lucky I am) but as part of the collection, where the narrator is practically bipolar, it takes on a darker tone.

[missbabyice]

It certainly starts off bitter and lonely but I don't think the narrator's poking fun at himself.

Perhaps it's because I've read the sonnets as a collection and so can trace the relationship, but to me this is a poem about unrequited love or love which cannot be- the narrator is insecure and at times wishes he didn't feel this way. But then his mind wanders onto thoughts of his love and he scorns his self-doubt. It is a relief.

[msm2you]

Wheee. Well done.

It is for this reason that I think the Beauty and the Beast: of Love and Hope needs to be rereleased: Ron Perlman did a brilliant job in recitation. I still have my tape of it.

[annabells]

Wonderful! Love the big smile at the end. I've always pictured it ending with a big smile!.

[INFECTED47]

^^Nice mate!

[Cheengow]

i recommend you work the blank verse a little more.