A Birthday in April ~ Shakespeare

Today, the 23^rd of April, is the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth in 1564, and—52 years later—the anniversary of his death.

~Today's Prompt~
Write a new poem inspired by 
Shakespeare, the Bard.

(From Becky To, with permission)

Shakespeare' influence on the English language and on world literature is hard to measure.  Chiefly remembered for his dramatic works, Shakespeare was also an inspired poet. His sonnet sequence - consisting of 154 separate poems - is often cited as "the finest collection of love poems in the English language."  

Title page of Shakespeare's Sonnets (1609)

It is also one of the most mysterious as scholars still do not know the identity of the young man and the Dark Lady who inspired them.  

Statue of Shakespeare in London. Photo Taken by Lonpicman

Other major poems by Shakespeare are: Venus and Adonis (1593), The Rape of Lucrece (1594) and A Lover's Complaint (1609).  These last are narratives complete with drama. In dialogue, they would be plays.

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~Ideas for your Shakespeare-inspired poem~

1. I imagine that I could share a joke or critique with Shakespeare!  What about you?  Try a poem of dialogue with Shakespeare.  
2. I imagine rivaling him in writing a poem to or about my love.   How about trying this, in sonnet form or free verse?
3. Or you may celebrate Shakespeare by letting a phrase or a line of his inspire a poem of your own.  You may choose any line from any Shakespeare’s drama or poems.  Here are a few of my favorite lines which may inspire you: 

~“Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.” 
~“Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?” 
~“So are you to my thoughts as food to life, or as sweet seasoned showers are to the ground.”
~“Why should we rise because 'tis light? Did we lie down because t'was night?” 
~"For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds;Lillies that fester smell far worse than weeds.” 
~“What is your substance, whereof are you made,That millions of strange shadows on you tend?"
~“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
~“If music be the food of love, play on.”
~"Look, how a bird lies tangled in a net, So fasten'd in her arms Adonis lies"
~“Now I will believe that there are unicorns...”
~“Sweet are the uses of adversity Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”

Find Shakespeare quotes on the web everywhere, including:  

• "William Shakespeare: Quotes and quotations"
• Goodreads: William Shakespeare
• Google will give you the source for any of the quotes above: Just plug them in.

Enjoy!  
Remember to share the link to your new poem on Mr. Linky and leave a comment.  
Then come back to read and comment on the rest.