Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

How to Read a Shakespearean Sonnet (Patreon)

Published:
2021-02-16 13:10:27
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

Before we kick off deep readings of Shakespeare's sonnets one-by-one, here are some guidelines for increasing your appreciation of these poetic Rorschach tests.

Cliff notes from the video:

  • The sonnets are ink blog test and ultimate mirror
  • Allow your choices to be revealing, THEN figure out WHY you like them
  • Start with intuition: mark words, phrases, constructions that immediately and personally stick out at you

A few reading rules:

1) Read through without needing to understand it

2) Read aloud

3) Reread

If you find a lot that strikes you, you've found a sonnet that resonates - so why not learn it by heart? Clearly there is something meaningful there for you. 

Whittle down from your list of resonant bits -if you had to pick only ONE, what part do you most resonate with?

Questions to consider (from Walter Pater):

  • Does this give me pleasure?
  • What kind/sort?
  • What degree?

Happy reading!

Files

Previews only

How to Read a Shakespearean Sonnet

📚 Read Shakespeare's sonnets with Hardcore Literature: https://www.patreon.com/hardcoreliterature/about ———————————— 🎙️ https://open.spotify.com/show/70IZA24... (Subscribe to the Hardcore Literature Podcast on iTunes & Spotify) 🏫 https://hardcore-university.teachable... (Hardcore University, Exam Preparation Courses) ✍🏼 https://benjaminmcevoy.com My Personal Website ———————————— Hardcore Literature Lecture Series ———————————— 📔Contents Page: https://cutt.ly/CmNhRY3 🎖️ War and Peace: https://cutt.ly/U3nzGma 🎭 Shakespeare Project: https://cutt.ly/B3nxHH7 🐳 Moby Dick: https://cutt.ly/K3nzVKf ☄️ Blood Meridian: https://cutt.ly/P3nz6Qp 🍂 Wuthering Heights: https://cutt.ly/N3nxxYt 🇮🇪 Ulysses: https://cutt.ly/x3nxQmN 🚂 Anna Karenina: https://cutt.ly/vmNhAWv 💀 Crime and Punishment: https://cutt.ly/rmNhFt5 ⚓ Persuasion: https://cutt.ly/amNhX7b ☕ In Search of Lost Time: https://cutt.ly/5mNh8oD ⚔️ The Hero’s Journey: https://cutt.ly/UmNjrE3 🌸 Siddharta: https://cutt.ly/YmNjuzi 🎠 Don Quixote: https://cutt.ly/cmNjoK4 ❤️Shakespeare’s Sonnets: https://cutt.ly/nmNlW7V 🇫🇷 Les Misérables: https://cutt.ly/J3YixoA 🕯️ The Turn of the Screw: https://cutt.ly/nToAQQ3 🖋️ Dickens Seasonal Read: https://cutt.ly/9ToAybt 📖 Middlemarch Serial Reading: https://tinyurl.com/45rv965c ———————————— Happy reading! Recommended Journal: https://amzn.to/3rYUi2R Recommended Edition of Shakespeare's Sonnets: https://amzn.to/2Nu7Kgj

Comments

FrozenWaterfall

Hey Ben and all! I am venturing through the Sonnets! I look forward to engaging and interpreting these "ink blots" as a spring-board to deep reading and wisdom and unlocking the wisdom of these profound works. So far I read each Sonnet three times out loud straight through, then, start to analyze specific words and fraises and make marginalia, then finally checking notes if necessary. I feel a hesitancy delving into poetry, but it is just the preparation and fidgeting for a grand love affair, I shall be embarking on a great journey, I look forward to seeing you all along the way!

John Myers

I am a new member at the Proust level. Can someone please tell me how to access the archives/ back catalog?

Dylan D. Erwin

Back during the pandemic I hosted a (now nonexistent) podcast where I sought to cover the Shakespeare that didn’t get as much attention (i.e., the sonnets and narrative poems). I’m so happy to realize I followed Ben’s advice. Each episode included me reading it out loud, then a reread of each quatrain and ending couplet followed by an in-depth discussion of each. I made it through the procreation sonnets (plus sonnet 18) before I got pulled apart by other projects. I remember when doing all my background reading and research I absolutely fell head over heels for Helen Vendler’s The Art of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Highly recommend if you want some additional theory. Each “chapter” begins with a sonnet, and then the analysis and theory comes after—so your first impression isn’t spoiled. You can note your impressions, then read what Helen has to say.

Jetzabel Peniche

Hi Ben, I read the first sonnet and re-read it again and again, and it is a very difficult language even though it is English but not my everyday. I will not give up, I promise and I have taken my notes on how to read a sonnet from your video. Thank you, your videos are so instructional and helpful. The last time I read something from Shakespear was way back when I was in high school and in college but I did not pay much attention to it because I just kept getting lost with the language as well as my patience was not so great when I was a kid. Now, 31 years later, I find myself holding Shakespeare's Sonnet book( I got the one that you recommended) and I am already breaking a sweat with the first sonnet, but I will not let this scare me away. I am going to read it, and read it aloud until something resonates with me. Just wanted to share this with you.

hardcoreliterature
>>59588786

Hi Jetzabel - that's so amazing to hear. You've felt resistance to Shakespeare since school, and not only have you still read this sonnet but you've reread it too! Remarkable! If you haven't seen it already, perhaps the deep dive analysis into the first sonnet might help you. I've read it aloud and then spoken about the themes and meaning here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/shakespeares-1st-48173250 A few other lovely readers have put their comments too :)

Jetzabel Peniche

Good morning Ben, thank you for that . I will watch it and analyze the sonnet. It will be a journey with Shakespeare but I am going to enjoy this :) . Thanks again for reaching out to me : )

Sharon xx

Re-starting, The Sonnets in anticipation of the Shakespeare Series to come in the new year. Trying to get serious about William and make him my new friend!

Lori Miller

Looking forward to starting this journey! Going to start slow but be consistent and follow the reading and journaling advice.