The Final Couplet

Shakespeare compares says his lover is like Adonis, but better. I'd love to have seen just how hot this guy was! He sounds amazing. Sonnet 53 What is your substance, whereof are you made, That millions of strange shadows on you tend? Since every one hath, every one, one shade, And you but one, can every shadow lend. Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit Is poorly imitated after you; On Helen&#3...

I'm back on my own for this one! Shakespeare writes another sonnet about how amazing his lover is. Yeah, we get it. Our story continues with John Donne locked in a chest. Sonnet 52 So am I as the rich, whose blessed key, Can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure, The which he will not every hour survey, For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure. Therefore are feasts so solemn and so r...

The actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd joins me again for a look at Sonnet 51 (which should be called sonnet 50 part 2). Does Shakespeare treat his horse any better in this one? Sonnet 51 Thus can my love excuse the slow offence Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed: From where thou art why should I haste me thence? Till I return, of posting is no need. O! what excuse will my poor beast then find, When...

The actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd who you might know from "The Queens Gambit", "The Power" and "Bodies" joins me for the 50th Episode. We mainly talk about how mean Shakespeare is to his poor old horse. Enjoy! Sonnet 50 How heavy do I journey on the way, When what I seek, my weary travel’s end, Doth teach that ease and that repose to say, ‘Thus far the miles are measured...

Shakespeare is putting himself down again in this one and he's becoming quite possessive of his lover. Our story continues with Shakespeare locking John Donne in a trunk. Sonnet 49 Against that time, if ever that time come, When I shall see thee frown on my defects, When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum, Called to that audit by advis'd respects; Against that time when thou shalt strang...

In this one Shakespeare talks about how he should be more protective of his lover so that they don't run off and do things with other people. He even suggests he should lock them in a chest, which is a but much in my opinion... Sonnet 48 How careful was I when I took my way, Each trifle under truest bars to thrust, That to my use it might unused stay From hands of falsehood, in sure wards of t...

You'll be pleased to hear Shakespeare's heart and eyes have made up and are friends now. -------------------------------------- Sonnet 47 Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took, And each doth good turns now unto the other: When that mine eye is famish'd for a look, Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother, With my love's picture then my eye doth feast, And to the paint...

Shakespeare's long distance relationship continues. His eyes and his heart are at war! ---------------------------------- Sonnet 46 Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war, How to divide the conquest of thy sight; Mine eye my heart thy picture's sight would bar, My heart mine eye the freedom of that right. My heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie, A closet never pierced with crystal ey...

This should be called Sonnet 44 Part 2 but unfortunately it isn't. Sonnet 45 is a continuation of Shakespeare's lament about his long distance relationship. Get ready for the final couplet that sounds like it was written by his kid... ----------------------------- Sonnet 45 The other two, slight air and purging fire, Are both with thee, wherever I abide; The first my thought, the other my...

Shakespeare talks about being in a long distance relationship in Sonnet 44. Even he thinks long distance relationships suck! ----------------------------- Sonnet 44 If the dull substance of my flesh were thought, Injurious distance should not stop my way; For then despite of space I would be brought, From limits far remote, where thou dost stay. No matter then although my foot did stand Upon the f...

This one is all about Shakespeare dreaming about his lover when he is asleep. He says he sees better with his eyes closed, I might give it a go! ----------------------------------------- Sonnet 43 When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, For all the day they view things unrespected; But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee, And darkly bright, are bright in dark directed. Then thou, whose...

What is going on? The recipient of Shakespeare's Sonnets is cheating on him with his wife? The love triangle to end all love triangles. ------------------------------------ Sonnet 41 Those pretty wrongs that liberty commits, When I am sometime absent from thy heart, Thy beauty, and thy years full well befits, For still temptation follows where thou art. Gentle thou art, and therefore to be won...

Shakespeare is annoyed that his lover cheated on him... again! When will he learn! -------------------------------------- Sonnet 40 Take all my loves, my love, yea, take them all: What hast thou then more than thou hadst before? No love, my love, that thou mayst true love call— All mine was thine before thou hadst this more. Then if for my love thou my love receivest, I cannot blame thee for my lo...

Happy New Year! Sonnet 38 is, in my opinion, not his best work but I guess we all have off days... Also, a familiar character turns up in our story. ------------------------------------- Sonnet 38 How can my muse want subject to invent, While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse Thine own sweet argument, too excellent For every vulgar paper to rehearse? O! give thy self the thanks, if...

Shakespeare talks about how old and decrepit he is BUT he can live vicariously through his younger lover which is slightly strange if you as me. Our story continues with Shakespeare getting hunted by the police. -------------------------------- Sonnet 37 As a decrepit father takes delight To see his active child do deeds of youth, So I, made lame by Fortune's dearest spite, Take all my comfort...

Shakespeare's toxic relationship hits its peak and he's had enough! Also, out story continues with a terrifying twist. ---------------------------------------- Sonnet 36 Let me confess that we two must be twain, Although our undivided loves are one: So shall those blots that do with me remain, Without thy help, by me be borne alone. In our two loves there is but one respect, Though in our...

I'm joined by the actor Kaffe Keating for this Christmas Special where we talk all things Tudor Christmas. What would Shakespeare have eaten, sung and done in the festive season? You're about to find out. Merry Christmas!

Shakespeare continues writing about his toxic relationship with the recipient of his sonnets. Has the recipient been cheating on him? ---------------------------------- No more be grieved at that which thou hast done: Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud, Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun, And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud. All men make faults, and even I in this, Authóri...

This one should be called Sonnet 33 part 2 but... it's not. It seems Shakespeare is in a toxic relationship with the recipient of his Sonnets and I'm worried for him. ---------------------------- Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day, And make me travel forth without my cloak, To let base clouds o’ertake me in my way, Hiding thy bravery in their rotten smoke? ‘Tis not enough that thr...

The recipient of this sonnet must have done something to piss Shakespeare off but don't worry, Shakespeare forgives him. The Shadowy figure's identity is revealed and you won't believe who it is! -------------------------------- Sonnet 33 Full many a glorious morning have I seen Flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, Kissing with golden face the meadows green, Gilding pale strea...

This quickly became a firm favourite of mine - it also includes a poem within a poem which is fun. Two for the price of one. We continue our story of Shakespeare's love affair with the shadowy figure. -------------------- Sonnet 32 If thou survive my well-contented day, When that churl Death my bones with dust shall cover, And shalt by fortune once more re-survey These poor rude lines of thy d...

Hold onto your hats cause this one is pretty confusing. Shakespeare talks to his new love about all his old loves and says that their love is in his new love... confused yet?

A special episode with the brilliant Actor Emma Paetz star of HBO Max's Pennyworth and Gentleman Jack. Had a great time recording this, enjoy!

Judy Dench just read this on The Graham Norton Show, it was pretty good. I think this is my favourite Sonnet yet! We also continue our story of Shakespeare and the Shadowy Figure.

Shakespeare has a tough time sleeping at night cause he's in love. This should actually be called Sonnet 27 part 2 but I'll let Shakespeare off on this occasion.