Completed January 2014
The Sonnet Project is the ambitious (and nearly completed) undertaking to film each and every one of Shakespeare’s 151 sonnets. This, Sonnet #51, was our contribution to the project. Given a text, an actor, and a location, each director has to find a creative way to tell the story underlying the sonnet. Enjoy!
Thus can my love excuse the slow offence
Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed:
From where thou art why should I haste me thence?
Till I return, of posting is no need.
O! what excuse will my poor beast then find,
When swift extremity can seem but slow?
Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind,
In winged speed no motion shall I know,
Then can no horse with my desire keep pace.
Therefore desire, (of perfect’st love being made)
Shall neigh, no dull flesh, in his fiery race;
But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade-
Since from thee going, he went wilful-slow,
Towards thee I’ll run, and give him leave to go.