Yes! Bring back the time of horse-drawn carriages and the Bubonic plague! It can’t be much worse than modernity…

I’m glad you enjoyed this article, and very impressed by the memorized sonnet. Many thanks, Julia!

Slowing down and savoring each word and re-reading for enjoyment and meaning—why not dim the lights and go for it? And then, take pen (or quill) in hand and give it a go…

My favorite Shakespeare sonnet (memorized in high school AP English) is:

Is it thy will thy image should keep open my heavy eyelids to the weary night?

Dost thou desire my slumber should be broken while shadows like to thee do mock my sight?

Is it thy spirit that thou sendst from thee, so far from home, into my deeds to pry?

To find out shame and idle hours in me, the scope and tenor of thy jealousy?

Oh no! thy love, though much, is not so great.

It is my love that keeps mine eyes awake.

My own true love that doth my rest defeat,

To play the watchman ever for thy sake.

For thee watch I whilst thou slumbers elsewhere,

From me far off, with others all too near.

I love how Shakespeare reflects the lover’s jealousy in the last line.