Black and white photo of Jonathan Ball in a suit and tie standing behind a chair, arm leaning on it, looking at a crow. Words Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, Wrong is in red

Is Shakespeare an experimental writer? Sonnet 130

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Jonathan discusses William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130”, which he considers an experimental poem from the most well-known writer in western civilization.

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 damasked, 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.
 

 
 
 
CREDITS
Opening song is “We Got the Poison” by Electric Candles
Podcast production by Dan Vadeboncoeur


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