A Shakespeare sonnet and a note from CS Lewis!

In this episode I read from my father-in-law’s rare copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets and then find in its pages a hand-written note from his tutor -CS Lewis!
Here is sonnet 18:
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,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimmed;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou w’st;
Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’t:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

[@DanielKellyFolkMusic]

It is easy to forget that this giant of literature was forced to busy himself with such things as marks and the structured process of academia. Yet still, he did it with care and elegance. Thankyou again for sharing these pearls.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks!

[@dalepiper6693]

Something ‘rich and strange” indeed Malcolm. You reveal a wonderful association and a timely reminder of that wonderful sonnet. Thank you for sharing.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cliffhiggins730]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful sonnet, Dr. Guite. The note from C.S. Lewis is a FANTASTIC keep sake!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks for listening

[@barbaraparry9424]

Lovely! The Director of the Old Globe theater in San Diego gave a podcast on sonnet 18, but indicated it was written to a youth. I asked if it could have been written to a divine being: your reading of CS Lewis' comments about the particulars of eternal love put that question into a grander and more personal perspective-thank you!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

it is one of a series written to the 'fair youth' but through his love for the youth Shakespeare gets a glimpse of the eternal

[@simonmartin5284]

I don't have the words. All I know is your words keep touching me in a mental way. I'm going to look for some poetry to read now ive had a glimpse. Only because your descriptions on what your talking about seems to wake something up in my thick scull. School didn't stand a chance. Amazing thank you very much. Kindest regards, Simon. ✌.🎶🎤🎸🎵.

[@juliewells4310]

What a treasure to have a letter written by Lewis!

[@stonehengeminstrel]

How remarkable that C.S. Lewis whom you admire so much is directly connected to your father in law. I get great pleasure in knowing the pleasure it provides you. A treasure of a book and a priceless note. Thank you for sharing the wonderful story and details of the book and especially for picking out sonnet 18 ✌️

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks!

[@xanderduffy6461]

I have a copy of Lewis English Literature, which my mother picked up for me for 50p in a secondhand shop. It is the blue edition you have in the video minus the sleeve. Its cool to see the sleeve as I didnt have any clue that it looked like that.

[@MacMacPherson]

wonderful

[@leightonisaacs202]

So grateful for you and your voice. Thank you.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

You are so welcome

[@sarahtisdale1748]

I am so loving these videos, Malcolm! Such fun and profound to be able to connect through words!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Glad you like them!

[@jamesmoore3002]

What a treasure! God bless you today.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Splendid Mr. Guite well much of this Spell in the library was touching and skillfully read and described . Thanks for your videos. Kind regards, SF.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Many thanks!

[@-NewtonPiper-]

A delightful story with your link to the past, family and friends. Shakespeare was ahead of his time, also at the right time 😊 Thank you for sharing with us and though Mr P Stewart May have a presence of his own so do you! I could listen to you for days 😊 (with a pipe of course)

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks, I think we might get the pipe going again soon!

[@loveandpeace1985]

Wonderful!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Many thanks!

[@mikegodfrey2221]

Amen brother

[@bear-wolfandmscathy626]

Love listening to you. On a side note my grandkids think I'm friends with Santa Claus when they see me watching you.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

yes I think he must be distant cousin!

[@bear-wolfandmscathy626]

@@MalcolmGuitespell I can relate to distant cousins. Supposed to have some over there and up in Scotland.

[@stephenandcas]

Thank you for your videos WORDS Words swirl around in my brain, Each seeking the immortality of the page. Some like sparks have a short life, Others more persistent invade my sleep. Use me they cry, let me speak for you. And I seek for order and rhyme. Words swirl around on my in my brain. Some seeking freedom and escape are violent. Others loving and seductive gently probe their prison. Why can't they leave me alone? And I seek for order and rhyme. Words swirl around in my brain. I reluctantly take up the pen. They now more excited, like dogs plead the release. Whilst White Paper lies blankly before me. With fear and trepidation I begin to write, And I seek for order and rhyme. Words swirl around in my brain. Too late, they cry, for order and rhyme. They pour out onto the page. Caring only for freedom they ignore me. Pushing and shoving they become visible. And I seek for order and rhyme.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks for contributing your poem

[@stephenandcas]

Malcolm Guite Your video reminded me just how powerful words are and that they can almost be magical in their ability to change us.