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Shakespeare Sonnet 29

posted 14 years ago by antimatter33
3 replies | jump to latest

The drunken actor who stumbles down the stairs in Steele's apartment quotes from Shakespeare, but not from the plays - rather this sonnet:

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;

Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

What could more perfectly express Steele's state of mind and soul? This was screenwriting of a high order!

-drl

[–] heyuactor 13 years ago

Thanks for posting that.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] heyuactor 13 years ago

That final verse is poignant and painful:

For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

That's some love, for sure.

"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] KutWrite (1220) 5 years ago

I agree, and thanks for posting it. I knew it was Shakespeare but couldn't place it.

It was cool that they had the drunken actor say that, the butt of everyone's jokes and many's scorn.
Robert Warwick did a great job with the role.

I took that character as a glimpse of the future Dix.

Ironic that the alcoholic's name was "Waterman."