As an actor,
Shakespeare's sonnets have always been close to my heart. I have had much fun at staged readings of these
'mini plays' over the years. Although they can be simply enjoyed for the great poetry that they are, it is
much more fun to try to find the 'Character' or the 'Voice' behind each piece. Imagine a crusty, ageing father
or mother admonishing their son for not marrying and having children in sonnet number 2; or imagine an old
farmhand speaking the lines of sonnet number 130, which happens to be my personal favourite. This sonnet
turns the whole idea of a sonnet upside down. Instead of declaring his love's beauty to the world, he spells
out in no uncertain terms of her plainness. Yet, by the end of the sonnet it is plain how much he loves her.
There are 154 sonnets to explore and 154 'Characters' to populate your world and befriend. So please explore
to your hearts content and let your imagination run wild, but don't forget to drink a glass of Sonnet Pinot
while whiling away the hours with old Will.
