嘉越．飛越

Welcome to the second book in our four-part mini-series, which aims to introduce you to the world of poetry. If you have read the introductory first book How to Read Poetry Like a Professor: A Quippy and Sonorous Guide to Verse, you may recall that rule number seven of reading poetry is Read It Again to grasp the poem. As the author wisely advises, “Shorter is easier; sonnets are perfect for rereading”. So, let’s take the advice and dive into the world of sonnets! And who better to start with than Shakespeare?

Shakespeare: sonnets, introduction by Dr. Kate Gath is a beautifully designed, pocket-sized curation of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated short poems. While Shakespeare is best known as one of the greatest playwrights in history, let’s not forget he was also an illustrious poet, with 154 surviving sonnets that explore themes like love, beauty, time, and mortality—all packed into just fourteen intricate lines. Instead of following the bard’s original sonnet sequence from 1 to 154, which tells a story much like a play, this book arranges the sonnets by themes. By presenting each sonnet as a standalone poem, the book invites you to explore new perspectives on the Bard’s timeless words.

For instance, let’s explore Sonnet 76—perhaps not among Shakespeare’s most famous works, but one that holds a fascinating depth.

Why is my verse so barren of new pride,

So far from variation or quick change?

Why with the time do I not glance aside

To new-found methods, and to compounds strange?

…

O! know sweet love I always write of you,

And you and love are still my argument;

So all my best is dressing old words new,

Spending again what is already spent:

   For as the sun is daily new and old,

   So is my love still telling what is told.

This sonnet is part of Shakespeare’s famous Fair Youth sequence, which is a series of sonnets dedicated to singing praise to a beautiful young man. If you focus solely on the text, you'll discover new layers of wordplay with every revisit. Have you noticed how the speaker acknowledges that his writing is repetitive and lacks variation, and yet several lines deviate from strict iambic pentameter? These could go on and on, but that’s another story for another day. Now, set aside any previous understanding of the Fair Youth you might have and forget about Shakespeare for a moment. Imagine this sonnet as your very own love letter—a declaration where every line reassures you of affection as constant as the sun. How passionate and romantic!

If this book appeals to you, look no further. The blend of a pocket-sized book and short poems makes it perfect for reading on the go. Whether you are on the MTR, hopping on a ‘Ding Ding’, or crossing the harbour on the Star Ferry, you can easily immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare during Hong Kong’s bustling rush hour commute. By picking up this book, you will be reimagining the city’s reputation of “where the East meets West” to also include “where the Contemporary meets the Elizabethan”. It’s a one-of-a-kind fusion experience, don’t you agree?