The Meta-Sonnets Podcast = A New Way to Read Shakespeare's Poetry
Shakespeare's Sonnets is a famous and beloved piece of writing, but, in the view of this podcaster, the work is misunderstood and only about half as good as it can be, if a reader knows what to look for. This podcast will explore The Sonnets on three levels:
Level 1: The 154 poems group perfectly in an 11x14 Meta-Sonnet structure. This means that there are 11 groups of 14 sonnets and each sonnet functions as a line within a larger sonnet. Furthermore, these 11 sections group into 5 acts (with the first 3 sections forming Act 1 and each subsequent Act is 2 sections long). Regardless how readers interpret The Sonnets, they will notice that thematically similar sonnets almost always group neatly into Meta-Sonnet quatrains and couplets. They will also see that narrative arcs start and stop neatly within their sections and acts. Reading the poems in this way enables readers to make connections that would otherwise be invisible.
Level 2: There are three main characters in The Sonnets: the Poet, the Fair Youth, and the Dark Lady. Many readers see these characters as real people who lived 400 years ago and nothing more. That's fine, but there's plenty of textual evidence that the Fair Youth can also be a personification for poetry/the work itself (not a new idea) and the Dark Lady can be seen as a personification of the Sonnet Format/Renaissance Poetic Conventions/Meta-Sonnets. As such, in this view, The Sonnets is not the private love poems of bi-sexual playwright. Rather, it is a critical examination of the relationship between poet, poetry, and form. Other interpretations are perfectly valid, but this is new way to enjoy the work. Importantly, readers need to see the Meta-Sonnets to full appreciate this interpretation of poems.
Level 3: Assuming Level 1 and Level 2 are true, astute readers will have some serious questions. Maybe they won't and they can just connect the Meta-Sonnets to their existing ideas, but, for others, they will want some answers and rightfully demand an explanation. For example: how could this have happened? Why would Shakespeare have done this? If it's too perfect to be random, why did Shakespeare create Meta-Sonnets and not tell anyone? Honestly, I have no secret knowledge about Shakespeare, but I do have the text. Sonnet 43 (and Act 2 in general/the Second Season of this Podcast) is the best place to go for answers, but there are clues in other sonnets too. In short, the text leads me to believe:
1. Shakespeare invented Meta-Sonnets and wrote about them in the work.
2. He intentionally kept them a secret.
3. He knew that seeing them would double the reading pleasure.
4. If Sonnet 43 was an early sonnet (many scholars believe yes), then that suggests that Shakespeare always intended for The Sonnets to have secret Meta-Sonnets.
These Three Levels are very different. Most readers can easily accept the First Level and many readers are comfortable with the Second Level. The Third Level, however, is scary. Many might even suggest off-putting or ridiculous, and, without a doubt, it is controversial. Fair enough. If readers want to ignore the Third Level, that is fine, but it does not discredit the first two. Having said that, I will explore all three in the podcast.
Episodes
34 episodes
Sonnet 18 through the Metasonnet Lens
Sonnet 18 is one of the most analyzed poems ever. However, through the prism of the Metasonnets, it takes on new meaning. How is this possible? Well, if "thou" represents the masculine Fair Youth and "thee" represents the femi...
A Beginner's Guide to the Metasonnets
This episode is designed to help you enjoy the most basic aspects of the 11x14 framework.
Shakespeare is a Foreign Language - Part 2
Am I a language expert? Maybe...maybe not, but my personal and private life is completely built around languages. That gives me a sufficient amount of credibility, right?
Shakespeare is a Foreign Language - Part 1
Is this about Shakespeare or about how we view ourselves?
Shakespeare Reddit Broke My Heart
Shakespeare Reddit owes me nothing, but that doesn't mean I wish it would take me more seriously.
Most people don't read the full Sonnets
When we say "The Sonnets," what are we referring to? Well, for many, it's just a slice because approximately 2/3 of readers have read less than 20% of the work.
How did I discover the Metasonnet Theory? - Part 2
In this episode, I will explain how I, of all people, stumbled across this amazing idea.
How did I discover the Metasonnet Theory? - Part 1
In this episode, I will explain how I, of all people, stumbled across this amazing idea.
What is the purpose of this podcast?
Why am I doing this? Well, I'll tell you.
Sonnet 54 - How much more beauteous will the Sonnets be once readers see the Secret Structure?
In this episode, I'll explore a question that Shakespeare seemingly couldn't answer: how much beautiful would "The Sonnets" be once the metasonnets were uncovered and the truth revealed? Then, how this revitalize the work?
Sonnet 53 - Shakespeare's Soliloquy: What does it mean to create art and hide its full meaning?
Sonnet 53 is the most famous poem so far in Section 4, and it's often viewed as a meditation on beauty. While this is a valid interpretation, in this episode, I will dramatically expand the scope of this sonnet. Rather than just the...
I'm sorry my audio sucks - A short rant
I thought my audio equipment was good enough to make this podcast. Some of the episodes were good, but too many weren't. So, I've invested in a real podcast mic and I hope this is problem is fixed.
Sonnet 52 - Key, Treasure, Survey, Pleasure: Shakespeare's Instructions to Readers
The first four rhyme words of this poem are a major Easter egg.
Sonnet 51 - A horse, a horse, an allegory is my horse
Sonnet 51 is the second half of a pair. These two poems create one of the most unique meta moments in all of Shakespeare. In these two sonnets, Section 4's turn, the Bard is metaphorically, literally, and allegorically telling the r...
Sonnet 50 - The Meta-Sonnets Jump the Shark
Sonnet 50 is either boring or meta-brillance, depending your outlook. My theory is that Shakespeare personifies the meta-sonnets as a horse and then explains why he's Section 4 does not follow the 4442 format. It's because the meta-...
Sonnet 49 - If Ever that Time comes...
What does this mean: "Against that time, (if ever that time come.)" Is it a coded way of saying, "in reference to the time when the meta-sonnets are uncovered, if that every happens?" Well, in this episode, I explore this poem from ...
Sonnet 48 - Am I A Thief?
In this poem, the narrator is pretty angry a someone who he thinks stole something from him. Well, is that other poets who copied his poetic style or the person who uncovered his secret?
The Meta-Sonnets Podcast Reboot
I've decided to change the name of the podcast. 1. The Meta-Sonnets Podcast is a much better name2. I wanted to get "secret" out of the title
Sonnet 47 - A Picture with 154 Pieces
Sonnet 47 might derivative, but it's actually a really fun poem when taken into context. Within the framework of the Meta-Sonnet structure, this poem tells us:1. 4442 isn't happening in Section 4. Something is out of place.<...
Sonnet 46 - Eye (Words) vs Heart (Format)
Even if you don't think the Secret Five Act Structure is real, this poem is an engaging metaphor about what makes poetry great. Is it the words themselves or the format/structure employed by the poet?
The Meta-Sonnets Podcast Rebrand
During Season 2, I will rebrand the podcast with a new name. Until then, enjoy the earlier episodes as you see fit.
Sonnet 45 - Once Skippable, Now Interesting
The main idea of this poem is that the poet feels sad because Section 4 is breaking off from the 4442 format. It used to be a highly skippable sonnet, but now it's worth examining because we can see it in context.
Sonnet 44 - Who is the Intended Audience of this Poem?
To whom is this soliloquy directed? The poems? The Secret Structure? The Audience who knows about the Secret? Maybe all three. In this episode, we'll ponder: who is Shakespeare talking to and what does that mean?
Sonnet 43 - 30 year old Shakespeare's Winking Proclamation
Sonnet 43 is Shakespeare's most under-appreciated poem. It reveals:1. That the Secret Structure exists.2. That it was meant to be a secret.3. That readers will enjoy The Sonnets a whole lot more if they understand the Secr...