The Classic Theatre is a podcast hosted by Sanio Kurtesevic, a New York–based actor. In each episode, I read and revisit classic works by playwrights and writers whose voices continue to shape theatre today. This podcast is a way to keep the language, the ideas, and the craft alive through direct engagement with the text.
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A Sonnet (or short poem) from a collection written by William Shakespeare, published in 1609.
#49
Synopsis:
The poet tries to prepare himself for a future in which the beloved rejects him. When that day comes, he writes, he will shield himself within the knowledge of his own worth, acknowledging that he can cite no reason in support of their love.
Against that time, if ever that time come,
When I shall see thee frown on my defects,
Whenas thy love hath cast his utmost sum,
Called to that audit by advised respects;
Against that time when thou shalt strangely pass
And scarcely greet me with that sun thine eye,
When love, converted from the thing it was,
Shall reasons find of settled gravity;
Against that time do I ensconce me here
Within the knowledge of mine own desert,
And this my hand against myself uprear
To guard the lawful reasons on thy part.
To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws,
Since why to love I can allege no cause.
(Project Gutenberg, Public Domain)
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3 Oct 2026
Sonnet 48 (Shakespeare)
A Sonnet (or short poem) from a collection written by William Shakespeare, published in 1609.
#48
Synopsis:
The poet contrasts the relative ease of locking away valuable material possessions with the impossibility of safeguarding his relationship with the beloved. The beloved can be enclosed only in the poet’s heart, which cannot block the beloved’s egress nor protect against those who would steal the beloved away.
How careful was I, when I took my way,
Each trifle under truest bars to thrust,
That to my use it might unusèd stay
From hands of falsehood, in sure wards of trust!
But thou, to whom my jewels trifles are,
Most worthy comfort, now my greatest grief,
Thou best of dearest and mine only care
Art left the prey of every vulgar thief.
Thee have I not locked up in any chest,
Save where thou art not, though I feel thou art,
Within the gentle closure of my breast,
From whence at pleasure thou mayst come and part;
And even thence thou wilt be stol’n, I fear,
For truth proves thievish for a prize so dear.
(Project Gutenberg, Public Domain)
Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm (https://transistor.fm/?via=music). Learn how to start a podcast (https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music) here.
26 Sept 2026
Sonnet 47 (Shakespeare)
A Sonnet (or short poem) from a collection written by William Shakespeare, published in 1609.
#47
Synopsis:
After the verdict is rendered (in s. 46), the poet’s eyes and heart become allies, with the eyes sometimes inviting the heart to enjoy the picture, and the heart sometimes inviting the eyes to share in its “thoughts of love.” The beloved, though absent, is thus doubly present to the poet through the picture and through the poet’s thoughts.
Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took,
And each doth good turns now unto the other.
When that mine eye is famished for a look,
Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother,
With my love’s picture then my eye doth feast
And to the painted banquet bids my heart.
Another time mine eye is my heart’s guest
And in his thoughts of love doth share a part.
So, either by thy picture or my love,
Thyself away are present still with me;
For thou no farther than my thoughts canst move,
And I am still with them, and they with thee;
Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight
Awakes my heart to heart’s and eye’s delight.
(Project Gutenberg, Public Domain)
Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm (https://transistor.fm/?via=music). Learn how to start a podcast (https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=music) here.
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