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Sonnets XXXVI-XLII

This week, the only one that resonated with me was Sonnet XXXVIII, which is about how one’s love inspires him more than the muses.

“For who’s so dumb that cannot write to thee
/ When thou thyself dost give invention light?”

Book 10 complete!

Act IV done.

Books 8-9 complete.

Finally gotten to some of the elements of the Odyssey I was already familiar with, namely the Lotus eaters and Cyclopes.

Books 4-7 complete.

Act III done.

Lady Constance is the real standout of this play so far.

Books 1-3 complete!

Act II done.

Act I done.

Intro and Translator’s Note read, maps looked at, and ready to dig into The Odyssey…tomorrow.

Sonnets XXIX-XXXV

This week’s standouts are XXIX, XXX, and XXXV. The first two have a similar theme of love and friendship making one grateful for what one has, and the last one has to do with being more forgiving of yourself, reminding us that nobody and nothing is perfect.

This was a good week. Some of the others praise the sun, but didn’t resonate quite as much with me.

Act IV done.

“Venus and Adonis”

Shakespeare’s re-telling of Ovid’s tale of Adonis’s death at the hands (or rather tusks) of a boar. It’s okay, but “Lucrece” resonated more with me.

Act III done.

“Who is so gross
That cannot see this palpable device?
Yet who so bold but says he sees it not?
Bad is the world, and all will come to naught
When such ill dealing must be seen in thought.”

Act II done.

Book 20 of 24 complete!

Act I done.

“Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of York” may be the best opening line of any Shakespeare play.