Reaction to Shakespeare's Sonnet 29 recited by Dame Judi Dench

So beautifully done; its power will strike you.

Shakespeare's Sonnet 29:
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 myself 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.

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[lazyhazeldaisy]

I love the way the audience are silent, just captured in the moment!

[dianewalker]

I adore Shakespeare’s sonnets. Watching Dame Judy recite one is a precious gift.

[jamesscully]

She did it completely from memory at the age of 89. She lives and breaths Shakespere and Kenneth Branagh said in their many times working together that she gives him a certain that tells him that he screwed it up. She remains a gem.

[ceciliadanaher]

I could listen to Dame Judy’s voice all day. I just love her tone. As for explaining Shakespeare, there is no need. Unlike say, John Donne, Shakespeare doesn’t write in metaphysical language. Shakespeare’s plays & poems were written in Early Modern English, the language of the time, and of the common man. If you read Sonnet 29, just read the words. Don’t go symbol hunting . The words mean what they mean. No hidden meaning. The resolution to the poet’s problem, is always in the final rhymed couplet at the end of the sonnet. 😀💙

[joangordon]

To be able to do this, at the drop of a hat, is amazing. And to give so much meaning to the words so that we can understand the meaning of the sonnet is true talent.

[SueNielsen-gx]

I saw Dame Judy in 72 in London in Midsummers nights Dream when she was just a slip of a girl. Unforgettable. 😊

[johncrwarner]

My first experience of Shakespeare
was aged eight at the Royal Shakespeare Company
in Stratford-upon-Avon
where I saw her as Portia
in The Merchant of Venice

Weirdly I remember the set
as Shylock's house popped out of the stage
in the elopement scene
and Nerissa was played by a TV Comedy star
and sang the song to guide Bassanio to the right casket.

That was in 1970!

I have seen her many many times since then.

[PaulForeman-indievisuals]

It's in her blood, her family history is quite remarkable if you manage to see the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are? about her particular heritage

[MrNorcal]

Not only did Dame Judi recite the sonnett but she actually did it as she would on stage at the RSC. Just brilliant. There was a tribute to Cameron Macintosh, the West End and Broadway producer, done some years ago that had a star studded cast perform musical numbers from his various shows. Dame Judi did Send in the Clowns. It was a master class in how to completely sell a song. Like Glyness Johns, who did the song on Broadway, Ms. Dench was certainly not a polished singer but the sheer power of her acting while she was singing made the performance iconic. Look up Judi Dench Send in the Clowns Hey Mr. Producer and sit in wonder. She has also performed it at BBC Proms concerts as well as other venues but the one that I cited may be the best of them.

[jamesdrynan]

I saw that show. She was mesmerizing. I would also recommend anyone to become familiar with Graham Norton's program. He hosts a talk show quite unlike anything you've ever seen before.

[deborahduthie]

Dame Judy Dench might not remember everything that has happened over such an event filled lifetime but she remembered Shake's Sonnet and it was beautiful from her mouth.

[dee]

Have to say, Judi Dench is also a remarkable comedy actress. She, and her late husband Michael Williams started together in a wonderful gentle sit- com called ‘A Fine Romance’. I loved that series and showed just how versatile she was. She could do anything.

[wandamundy]

She hasn't been JUST in films or on the stage. She started on the stage - and then went to television. She played with her husband, Michael Williams, in an odd sort of sit-com called, "A Fine Romance" for three years. And then she played in another sit-com with Geoffrey Palmer, called "As Time Goes By" - that was long-running, had several reunions and a movie. And she played "M" in several James Bond movies - and Geoffrey Palmer also played with her in those movies.

She was in both original stage productions of Cats (Grizabella) and Cabaret (Sally Bowles). And of course, all the movies and plays for which she is so famous. She and Dame Maggie Smith are famously good buddies - and I adore them both. But Dame Judi is something very rare and special. A National Living Treasure - who is very beloved.

[AuntieM]

Judi Dench is probably best known in the UK as a stage actress. She is phenomenal and has appeared in Ibsen and Chekov as well as Shakespeare. I first saw her on stage in the early 1970s in Stratford upon Avon, playing Portia in the Merchant of Venice. Her performance made a lasting impression.

[raybrooking]

They are wonderfully talented these Shakespearian actors they must be to be able to deliver pieces that nobody else has s clue what it’s about.

[richardgornalle]

The truly amazing Dame Judi Dench, a regular on the best entertainment show on world tv, the Graham Norton show.

[lizmagu]

I've seen her on other talk shows and such doing Shakespeare. I cry everytime!! She's just AMAZING AND MESMERIZING!! 💯👏👍

[pamplayer]

Dame Judy n Dame Maggie are the best Graham is the best talk show host none of our buffoon talk show hosts can compare Graham let’s the guests interact n every one has a lot of fun n it’s a lot looser too n when u get a Scot n an Irish talking the look on the U.S. guests faces is a riot cause they don’t understand what their saying 😂

[dee]

Undoubtedly one of our greatest actresses of all time and winner of several Olivier awards. Eerie how on her appearance on ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ when tracing her ancestry, led her to Denmark and to be be indirectly associated with characters from Shakespeare’s plays.

[MrAronRobinson]

I had the good fortune to see her and Anthony Hopkins in ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ as a kid. Mesmerising.