Shakespeare votaries celebrate the Bard’s birthday 

"My favorite sonnet is Sonnet 18 because I think it has an interesting command of language and commentary," Samantha said.  "What I love most about Shakespeare's writing is his subtly and ability to allude to greater concepts." Sonnet 18: "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?" Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, An...

"Sonnet 29 is my favorite sonnet because it is very hopeful," Maddy said.  "It reminds me that in truth life is difficult but we have to appreciate the beauty in those things and people around us.  I love Shakespeare’s writing because there are so many layers to his work that make it feel like you never read the same thing twice.  I am always finding new things to appreciate about Shakespeare." Sonnet 29: "When, in disgrace with fortun...

"While I think this is a basic choice, I am interested in this sonnet because I think it so strikingly sets the foundation for the play and establishes its themes," Mimi said.  "I remember doing a lighting design project in my theatre class freshman year for the prologue and being captivated by the word 'star-crossed.'  While not only giving me ideas of imagery to use in my project, it really made...

"Sonnet 116 is my favorite sonnet because this was the first piece of theatre-related material that I'd ever memorized or performed, and I can still recite a decent amount of it to this day," Caitlin said.  "I had to do it for a reading and writing workshop assignment in seventh grade and spent nearly a month trying to perfect it.  It's one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets, and it...

"I love this sonnet because it celebrates people who do not fit conventional stereotypes of 'beauty' while also taking those who care about such norms to task," Dr. Lillo said.  "The speaker proudly proclaims that he loves his 'mistress' - not because she meets any stereotypical standards - but precisely because she does not.  Many poets in Shakespeare's lifetime praise the 'beauty' of their love inte...