A Great Celebration: 1564-2014

This year, tomorrow, and at the end of the week, the Western World which is civilized, will celebrate the anniversary of the death and baptism of William Shakespeare. That Shakespeare would have been baptized shortly after his birth indicates an April birthday. His baptismal date is April 26th, and the birthday of someone close to me as well.

I am teaching Julius Caesar at this time and constantly find new things in the Bard's words. Today, however off, I want to emphasize his poetry with a favorite of mine.

Happy Official Birthdate and Death date tomorrow (1616) and Happy Baptism Friday--more later.






Sonnet 130


My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
   And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
   As any she belied with false compare. 


Take two hours this week and watch one of his plays. I recommend this one: