Sonnet 33 (Shakespeare)

What this episode covers

A Sonnet (or short poem) from a collection written by William Shakespeare, published in 1609.  #33 Synopsis: The poet describes the sun first in its glory and then after its being covered with dark clouds; this change resembles his relationship with the beloved, who is now “masked” from him. But if even the sun can be darkened, he writes, it is no wonder that earthly beings sometimes fail to remain bright and unstained. (This is the first of a series of three poems in which the beloved is pictured as having hurt the poet through some unspecified misdeed.)   Full many a glorious morning have I seen Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye, Kissing with golden face the meadows green, Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy, Anon permit the basest clouds to ride With ugly rack on his celestial face, And from the forlorn world his visage hide, Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace. Even so my sun one early morn did shine With all-triumphant splendor on my brow, But, out alack, he was but one hour mine; The region cloud hath masked him from me now.  Yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth;  Suns of the world may stain when heaven’s sun staineth. (Project Gutenberg, Public Domain)

PodParley-generated summary based on available episode metadata and transcript content.