Celebrity Sonnet Reading: Alan Rickman reads Sonnet 130

Alan Rickman

On the weekends, I’m not going to add another episode, but in my effort to give a sonnet nearly everyday, I’ll post a celebrity sonnet that I find on Youtube.

For the first one, here’s Alan Rickman reading Sonnet 130.  (I picked a further one out, so I wouldn’t have to compare myself to him until I’ve read at least 129 sonnets live.  (and even then, well, let’s just say:  Alan Rickman!)

This was posted by Muriel Rickman (who I think is his wife)  Enjoy!

If you’d like to see other episodes that feature Shakespeare as an author, visit the Shakespeare page.
If you’d like to see other celebrity sonnet readings, visit the Celebrities page.

SONNET 130 by William Shakespeare

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.

I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound.
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.

And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.