tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post3096994049065492522..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Shakespeare Sonnets 5 and 6 Brian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-86230327201266455952014-07-28T23:55:12.499-04:002014-07-28T23:55:12.499-04:00Hi Maria - I love many things about the winter too...Hi Maria - I love many things about the winter too!<br /><br />Interestingly as I get older I can simultaneously also appreciate how winter imagery can be compared to desolation and even death. The contradiction can live within my brain!<br /><br />In all his moods Shakespeare is indeed the best!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89664258159783925002014-07-28T13:51:36.930-04:002014-07-28T13:51:36.930-04:00Excellent commentary as always, Brian!
I have t...Excellent commentary as always, Brian! <br /><br />I have to say that I tend to differ with Shakespeare here, and with a lot of people as well. Lol. To me, the winter season is absolutely beautiful, majestic, and conducive to family closeness. Maybe that's because I've never seen snow or experienced freezing temperatures....lol. I guess the grass is greener on the other side, after all, even when it's frozen. : )<br /><br />Not that I don't like beautiful, sandy beaches and sparkling ocean waters. But.....the HEAT. I HATE THE HEAT. And I don't like the fact that we don't get to see the change of seasons down here in Miami. Perhaps what I hate the most is getting temps in the 80s on Christmas Day!!!! Lol.<br /><br />Of course, the Bard creates beautiful images here, along with the exhortation to the youth to not waste his valuable time, and procreate! That sounds funny to modern ears, but then, we have to remember that, back in those days, the life expectancy wasn't what it is nowadays. And it's improving all the time, too.<br /><br />I agree with you that Shakespeare does sound a little melodramatic here. Again, that seems to be due to the shortness of life back in his day. Of course, even when he's being a bit melodramatic, he's still the BEST poet ever!!<br /><br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29533727583011260382014-07-18T09:07:06.528-04:002014-07-18T09:07:06.528-04:00Hi VB - Shakespeare can be challenging. It took me...Hi VB - Shakespeare can be challenging. It took me along time to be able to read him with comprehension.<br /><br />One nice thing about the Sonnets is that they can be read on in small bits.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-12753833290506583352014-07-18T03:15:06.562-04:002014-07-18T03:15:06.562-04:00You actually inspired me with your post on sonnets...You actually inspired me with your post on sonnets that I ought myself one though Iam yet to relish them...The way you have commented highlights the extend of your love and understanding of it..Though I doubt it might be the same with other Shakespeare lovers.Cheers againvbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815931257531886393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-18027917590770724412014-07-04T16:38:55.552-04:002014-07-04T16:38:55.552-04:00Hi Jaqui - Thanks for the link.
The clip played n...Hi Jaqui - Thanks for the link.<br /><br />The clip played no problem. and I am in the US. <br /><br />Simon Russell Beale mentions some interests contrasts between the Sonnets and the plays.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-22159988506656576502014-07-03T12:35:35.778-04:002014-07-03T12:35:35.778-04:00Hi Brian, I heard Simon Russell Beale discussing S...Hi Brian, I heard Simon Russell Beale discussing Shakespeare's sonnets on the radio recently - it's just a brief snippets from BBC Radio 4's Front Row arts programme. I'm not sure if you can listen to this link outside of the UK, but thought it might be of interest to you (and other readers of your blog). If the link doesn't work, you might be able to listen via the 'Front Row Daily' podcast.<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01zzt1n<br />JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25386874232837989542014-06-24T23:24:20.359-04:002014-06-24T23:24:20.359-04:00Hi Jacqui - I think that the Sonnets are a great p...Hi Jacqui - I think that the Sonnets are a great place to start as they can be read individually.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-46081976623456902262014-06-24T14:54:38.361-04:002014-06-24T14:54:38.361-04:00At school I struggled with Shakespeare’s plays, bu...At school I struggled with Shakespeare’s plays, but your post leaves me feeling the urge to check out his sonnets – lovely piece!JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-80668556140158121892014-06-22T14:50:13.126-04:002014-06-22T14:50:13.126-04:00Hi Lainy - And the ten children were a blessing!
...Hi Lainy - And the ten children were a blessing!<br /><br />One nice thing about the Sonnets is that they can be digested in little bits :)Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-57880184216569841292014-06-22T14:26:04.765-04:002014-06-22T14:26:04.765-04:0010 children, good Lord I find my hands full as it ...10 children, good Lord I find my hands full as it is with a cat let!<br /><br />I find Shakespeare to be very moving and have the complete works somewhere but it is not something I can read in large parts like any other print. As always it is lovely to hear someones thoughts on such work and I really do need to dig that book out!<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-75957954916795918582014-06-19T20:03:21.078-04:002014-06-19T20:03:21.078-04:00Hi Caroline - Indeed he shows the most emotion her...Hi Caroline - Indeed he shows the most emotion here as compared to the earlier ones.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-3293954923587376782014-06-19T10:55:32.378-04:002014-06-19T10:55:32.378-04:00I think these are the poems I like best so far. I ...I think these are the poems I like best so far. I love the imagery. A bit bleak but so expressive. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-22292722797372937402014-06-19T10:21:11.156-04:002014-06-19T10:21:11.156-04:00Hi Lindsay - I really need to get around myself to...Hi Lindsay - I really need to get around myself to hearing these read aloud.<br /><br /><br />People sometimes look at me funny when I say i find these fun to read :) Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-13201910213411024772014-06-19T10:01:55.813-04:002014-06-19T10:01:55.813-04:00I'm so sorry that I duplicated my comment Bria...I'm so sorry that I duplicated my comment Brian.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08731930823596505781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34657334302778415642014-06-19T09:59:31.300-04:002014-06-19T09:59:31.300-04:00Great insightful and thoughtful reading of these t...Great insightful and thoughtful reading of these two sonnets Brian. I agree with your closing comment that they are a lot of fun to read, and I agree with Tracy about hearing them spoken out loud. Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08731930823596505781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90544971991142704442014-06-19T09:00:22.759-04:002014-06-19T09:00:22.759-04:00Hi Lucy - Thanks so much.
I can see as to how so...Hi Lucy - Thanks so much.<br /><br /> I can see as to how some of these Sonnets can get overlooked. As I mentioned their quality is not entirely uniform and there is a bit of sameness to some of the entries in the Fair Youth series.<br /><br /><br />One thing that I think is fruitful is trying to focus on what makes each particular Sonnet distinctive.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-51303257438676464462014-06-19T05:22:47.977-04:002014-06-19T05:22:47.977-04:00Superb commentary as always, Brian. I'm so gla...Superb commentary as always, Brian. I'm so glad you've chosen these two sonnets - I've always overlooked them slightly on my readings, but they certainly deserve recognition! I definitely agree with you that the imagery is very distinctive. I like that you think it's slightly melodramatic too.<br /><br />I love the opening phrase of Sonnet 6...definitively a line to remember!Lucy (Tolstoy Therapy)http://www.tolstoytherapy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28800122000165911662014-06-18T09:54:50.133-04:002014-06-18T09:54:50.133-04:00Hi Harvee - Not so when I was younger, but as I ge...Hi Harvee - Not so when I was younger, but as I get a little older imagery of harsh winters does indeed connect to reality for me too!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52639371421036011452014-06-18T09:51:51.272-04:002014-06-18T09:51:51.272-04:00These sonnets about winter remind me of our horrid...These sonnets about winter remind me of our horrid/wonderful white winter of last year. Bitter-sweet season.<br /><br />For never-resting Time leads Summer on<br />To hideous Winter and confounds him there;Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-3230785628019700842014-06-17T23:04:48.522-04:002014-06-17T23:04:48.522-04:00Hi Jane - Indeed his views on age seem so differen...Hi Jane - Indeed his views on age seem so different from how I think of that human commonality. I have been pondering just shat Shakespeare was getting at here. It really is an enigma. I will be partially the subject of my next post on the Sonnets.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-78442721354148566522014-06-17T15:18:54.322-04:002014-06-17T15:18:54.322-04:00I would agree that Shakespeare goes over the top w...I would agree that Shakespeare goes over the top with these two sonnets in particular. Maybe it's my modern sensitivities that age need not be considered haggard, but he paints such a two-dimensional picture. It's almost as if these are exercises in developing theme rather than from the heart.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-33317291761882776772014-06-16T23:31:17.474-04:002014-06-16T23:31:17.474-04:00Hi Violet - Yes, if one reads history the infant m...Hi Violet - Yes, if one reads history the infant mortality rate as well as children who died a little older was striking. One the other hand if ten children were making one happy perhaps Shakespeare was thinking about surviving children.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for the link. Yes, pretty out there stuff. Secret codes in the Sonnets! One of our oldest conspiracy theories :) <br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-76168011549469151822014-06-16T21:59:54.849-04:002014-06-16T21:59:54.849-04:00On the ten children thing? The rate of child morta...On the ten children thing? The rate of child mortality in those days probably meant that only a few of the ten would reach adulthood, so the ability to have many children was seen as a very good thing? The poor women though!<br /><br />On the Marlowe authorship question? Google 'Marlovian' and see what pops up. <a href="http://www.masoncode.com/Marlowes_Sonnets.pdf" rel="nofollow"> This</a> is pretty wild. ! :)Violethttp://still-life-with-books.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-63116050777195377742014-06-16T09:24:55.973-04:002014-06-16T09:24:55.973-04:00Hi Suko - Me too. I really must hear them read. My...Hi Suko - Me too. I really must hear them read. My wife mentioned me reading them so I might give the a try!<br /><br />Funny how the refrence to ten children creates such a reaction! <br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-50084818527230084932014-06-15T22:48:18.097-04:002014-06-15T22:48:18.097-04:00Tracy reminded me that these would be powerful if ...Tracy reminded me that these would be powerful if read out loud.<br /><br />10 children is quite a handful--two, actually! Wonderful commentary on Sonnets 5 and 6, Brian Joseph. Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.com