Shakespeare

[SimonNZ]

Can someone recommend me things to read about the sonnets -- criticism?

A good edition of the sonnets themselves should have introductory material, including a history of interpretation and of the influence of other poets on Shakespeare, that approaches the length of a shortish book. The will also include a survey of current scholarship with suggestions for further reading. And in addition should have commentary for each individual sonnet, probably after the set. I haven't seen the Arden edition of the sonnets, but would imagine it has the most thorough introductory material and notes. But you should get something similar from the Oxford and Penguin editions.

[SimonNZ]

Watched for the first time last night:



An unexpected treat. A convincing argument for choosing to lean into the somber tone of the work rather than trying to play it as a comedy. And the sets, costumes and framings that are clearly meant to call to mind old master paintings, especially Vermeer and Rembrandt, with what seems to be but surely can't be real candle or fireside lighting, is again perfectly judged.