Sonnet 44 / Shakespeare

During my undergrad in English education, I had the privilege of being taught by Dr. Pamela Peled. Her contagious passion for English literature left an indelible mark on me, emphasizing the idea that to truly love Shakespeare, one must know him by heart. I began the journey of memorizing Shakespeare's sonnets and monologues, frequently quoting them to both peers and strangers. Eventually, our entire class embraced the practice, socializing and communicating through Shakespearean quotes. We often found ourselves discussing ways to infuse this excitement into our future classrooms as aspiring teachers. We unanimously agreed that teaching requires a touch of the actor, as drama and showmanship are powerful tools to convey messages and engage even the most reluctant students. For me, Shakespeare epitomized the intricate relationship between language and literature. His inventive creation of new words, mastery of iambic pentameter, and the brilliant fusion of speech with history, plot, and fantasy formed the perfect blend of intellect and emotion. Despite nearly a decade passing since my undergrad days, I still find joy in reading Shakespeare's work and remain in awe each time.

One of my cherished Shakespeare sonnets is Sonnet 44, not only because it was the first sonnet I memorized but also due to its relatability. In this sonnet, Shakespeare yearns to be a 'thought,' a form that can swiftly transport him to any desired place by mere contemplation. Being a ‘thought’ becomes particularly appealing in times of missing a loved one. Yet, he acknowledges the reality that he is not a ‘thought’; he is made of flesh and blood, unable to be with his beloved. Consequently, he is left with tears and sorrow as his only companions.

This is Sonnet 44 out of 154, enjoy it, and maybe learn it by heart (:

If the dull substance of my flesh were thought,
Injurious distance should not stop my way;
For then despite of space I would be brought,
From limits far remote where thou dost stay.
No matter then although my foot did stand
Upon the farthest earth removed from thee;
For nimble thought can jump both sea and land
As soon as think the place where he would be.
But ah! thought kills me that I am not thought,
To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone,
But that so much of earth and water wrought
I must attend time's leisure with my moan,
Receiving nought by elements so slow
But heavy tears, badges of either's woe.

Here is Sonnet 44 read by Captain Picard (or Professor Xavier)