#asonnetaday 2020 ~ Sonnet 121 by William Shakespeare

#asonnetaday 2020 ~ Recited by Kevin Kaouthomn in tandem with Sir Patrick Stewart (@sirpatstew) during the fearful isolation of the 2020 COVID Pandemic. Kevin was the only human being to do so, undertaking a rigorous daily masterclass of nearly 80 Shakespearean Sonnets over long months during a difficult time in history which also celebrated Sir Stewart's 80th birthday. His effort honors the mastery of this great actor and the Shakespeare lineage, and, is in its pith a love letter to Kevin's daughter. Kevin also wrote reflective sonnets in shortened form to chronicle the endeavor, and the efforts were lauded by noted celebrities such as Steve Martin, Keanu Reeves, and others. "Who knows what could have happened to us? There should have been hundreds of people doing what I did and following the call to graces with Sir Stewart," Kevin quips about the experience. "I will always be thankful to him for what was given in such a perilous and precarious time." Sonnet 121 'Tis better to be vile, than vile esteemed, When not to be, receives reproach of being, And the just pleasure lost which is so deemed Not by our feeling, but by others' seeing: For why should others' false adulterate eyes Give salutation to my sportive blood? Or on my frailties why are frailer spies, Which in their wills count bad what I think good? No; -- I am that I am, and they that level At my abuses reckon up their own: I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel; By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown; Unless this general evil they maintain, All men are bad, and in their badness reign.