One question for Howard Moss...why?
It seems like he knew he couldn't improve on the elegance of Shakespeare's language, so he decided to make it as unpoetic as possible. Yes, comparison to a day in summer is a unique idea in the subject of love poems, and a very good one at that. But the idea of it alone doesn't make good poetry. Moss' language is so plain and common that it makes it almost painful to read, especially having read the original version right before it.
As for Shakespeare's original version, I love his use of language...especially the end:
"so long as men can breathe or eyes can see
so long lives this, and this gives life to thee"
He makes everyday concepts elegant.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I agree, it's kind of like when they remade Romeo and Juliet with that modern urban Leonardo Decaprio movie "Romeo + Juliet." It just doesn't work when you try to change or expand on Shakespeare.
Post a Comment