The Final Couplet

Theo Cowan
  • 5.0 (7)
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Join me, Theo Cowan, as I desperately attempt to work out what the hell William Shakespeare was going on about in all those sonnets. Don't worry, I create stupid little stories to accompany each one so you don't get too bored.

  1. 13 APR

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 145

    This is one of Shakespeare's weirder ones but I have to say it rolled off the tongue nicely! Sonnet 145 Those lips that Love’s own hand did makeBreathed forth the sound that said “I hate”To me that languished for her sake;But when she saw my woeful state,Straight in her heart did mercy come,Chiding that tongue that ever sweetWas used in giving gentle doom,And taught it thus anew to greet:“I hate” she altered with an endThat followed it as gentle dayDoth follow night, who, like a fiend,From heaven to hell is flown away.   “I hate” from hate away she threw,   And saved my life, saying “not you.”

    22 min

  2. 5 APR

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 144

    The Fair Youth x Dark Lady colab we have all been waiting for! Sonnet 144 Two loves I have, of comfort and despair,Which like two spirits do suggest me still.The better angel is a man right fair,The worser spirit a woman colored ill.To win me soon to hell my female evilTempteth my better angel from my side,And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,Wooing his purity with her foul pride.And whether that my angel be turned fiendSuspect I may, yet not directly tell;But being both from me, both to each friend,I guess one angel in another’s hell. Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt, Till my bad angel fire my good one out.

    19 min

  3. 29 MAR

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 143 ft. Joe Eyre

    My guest the week is the wickedly talented Actor, Writer and Voice Artist Joe Eyre. I had great fun recording this episode with Joe and debunking this ridiculous sonnet, stick around for his brilliant story at the end. Sonnet 143 Lo, as a careful huswife runs to catchOne of her feathered creatures broke away,Sets down her babe, and makes all swift dispatchIn pursuit of the thing she would have stay,Whilst her neglected child holds her in chase,Cries to catch her whose busy care is bentTo follow that which flies before her face,Not prizing her poor infant’s discontent;So runn’st thou after that which flies from thee,Whilst I, thy babe, chase thee afar behind.But if thou catch thy hope, turn back to meAnd play the mother’s part: kiss me, be kind. So will I pray that thou mayst have thy will, If thou turn back and my loud crying still.

    44 min

  4. 22 MAR

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 142

    Shakespeare tells his lover that they both sleep with other people's partners and that's OK! Sonnet 142 Love is my sin, and thy dear virtue hate,Hate of my sin, grounded on sinful loving.O, but with mine compare thou thine own state,And thou shalt find it merits not reproving;Or if it do, not from those lips of thine,That have profaned their scarlet ornamentsAnd sealed false bonds of love as oft as mine,Robbed others’ beds’ revenues of their rents.Be it lawful I love thee as thou lov’st thoseWhom thine eyes woo as mine importune thee:Root pity in thy heart, that, when it grows,Thy pity may deserve to pitied be.    If thou dost seek to have what thou dost hide,    By self-example mayst thou be denied.

    20 min

  5. 15 MAR

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 141

    Shakespeare is slowly unravelling - he says his eyes, nose, and taste hate his lover but his heart loves her. I try and work out what the hell that means! Sonnet 141 In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,For they in thee a thousand errors note;But ‘tis my heart that loves what they despise,Who, in despite of view, is pleased to dote;Nor are mine ears with thy tongue’s tune delighted,Nor tender feeling, to base touches prone,Nor taste, nor smell, desire to be invitedTo any sensual feast with thee alone:But my five wits nor my five senses canDissuade one foolish heart from serving thee,Who leaves unswayed the likeness of a man,Thy proud heart’s slave and vassal wretch to be.   Only my plague thus far I count my gain,   That she that makes me sin awards me pain.

    20 min

  6. 22 FEB

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 140

    Shakespeare makes desperate attempt to try and make the dark lady love him. It's both pathetic and manipulative - classic Shakespeare. Sonnet 140 Be wise as thou art cruel; do not pressMy tongue-tied patience with too much disdain;Lest sorrow lend me words, and words expressThe manner of my pity-wanting pain.If I might teach thee wit, better it were,Though not to love, yet, love to tell me so;As testy sick men, when their deaths be near,No news but health from their physicians know;For, if I should despair, I should grow mad,And in my madness might speak ill of thee;Now this ill-wresting world is grown so bad,Mad slanderers by mad ears believed be.   That I may not be so, nor thou belied,   Bear thine eyes straight, though thy proud heart go wide.

    21 min

  7. 15 FEB

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 139

    Shakespeare is head of over heals in love with the "dark lady" but her can see his love isn't necessarily reciprocated. Sonnet 139 O! call not me to justify the wrongThat thy unkindness lays upon my heart;Wound me not with thine eye, but with thy tongue:Use power with power, and slay me not by art,Tell me thou lov'st elsewhere; but in my sight,Dear heart, forbear to glance thine eye aside:What need'st thou wound with cunning, when thy mightIs more than my o'erpressed defence can bide?Let me excuse thee: ah! my love well knowsHer pretty looks have been mine enemies;And therefore from my face she turns my foes,That they elsewhere might dart their injuries:   Yet do not so; but since I am near slain,   Kill me outright with looks, and rid my pain.

    22 min

  8. 8 FEB

    Shakespeare's Sonnet 138

    Shakespeare talks about ageing and infidelity and LIES in this one. The relationship is getting spicy. Sonnet 138 When my love swears that she is made of truth,I do believe her though I know she lies,That she might think me some untutored youth,Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,Although she knows my days are past the best,Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue:On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed:But wherefore says she not she is unjust?And wherefore say not I that I am old?O! love's best habit is in seeming trust,And age in love, loves not to have years told:   Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,   And in our faults by lies we flattered be.

    21 min
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About

Join me, Theo Cowan, as I desperately attempt to work out what the hell William Shakespeare was going on about in all those sonnets. Don't worry, I create stupid little stories to accompany each one so you don't get too bored.

Information

  • Creator
    Theo Cowan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    147
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Theo Cowan
  • Show Website
    The Final Couplet