Charles Tuthill: Sonnet 128
What is it about Shakespeare’s sonnets which so confounds editors, scholars and theater makers? In this interview, master teacher Charles Tuthill tickles out the music of Sonnet 128. Mr. Tuthill defends the verse... and delivers a passionate challenge to young actors.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Check out Podcast Extra #1 for Charles line-by-line analysis of Sonnet 128.
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TOPICS: Scansion, Structure, Metaphor, Sonnets, Metrical Variation.
Sonnet 128
1. How oft, when thou, my music, music play'st,
2. Upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds
3. With thy sweet fingers, when thou gently sway'st
4. The wiry concord that mine ear confounds,
5. Do I envy those jacks that nimble leap
6. To kiss the tender inward of thy hand,
7. Whilst my poor lips, which should that harvest reap,
8. At the wood's boldness by thee blushing stand!
9. To be so tickled, they would change their state
10. And situation with those dancing chips,
11. O'er whom thy fingers walk with gentle gait,
12. Making dead wood more blest than living lips.
13. Since saucy jacks so happy are in this,
14. Give them thy fingers, me thy lips to kiss.