“Fancy A Shift?” Shakespeare Translated For Modern-Day Lovers

They’re some of the most romantic poems ever written and despite the fact that they were first published centuries ago, they’re still read and adored worldwide.

What are we talking about? Why Shakespeare’s sonnets of course. If you had the pleasure (and/or trauma) of studying good old Shakey-speare in secondary school/college you’ll know that there are 154 of the blasted things and they deal with love, beauty and life.

Anyway on this day, May 20th (back in 1609) Shakespeare’s sonnets were unleashed into the world. They were a hit and they’ve endured the test of time despite the fact that certain things have changed.

We thought it would be fun to take a few of the best-known lines about love and romance from Shakespeare’s sonnets and pair them with their modern-day equivalent. One thing is for sure: Shakespeare definitely knew how to put the moves on...

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The original 1609 cover of Shakespeare's sonnets

Sonnet 29: “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.”

Translation: Are you tired? Cause you’ve been running through my mind all day. Also can you hear a lark singing? I’m pretty sure I can hear a lark. Oh and me da has loads of land.

"I have to be up for work in two hours... just write back!" 

Sonnet 43: “All days are nights to see till I see thee, and nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.”

Translation: It’s 3am. Reply to my text, reply to my text, reply to my text – PLEASE REPLY TO MY TEXT! I need sleep and can’t turn off the light until I know you got that message!!! Arrrghhh!!!!!!!

 

"Is it hot in here or is it just you?"

Sonnet 18: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.”

Translation:  Here, I think you’re an absolute ride. Fancy a shift?

"You're fine and you don't even know it!" 

Sonnet 55: “So, till the judgement that yourself arise, you live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.”

Translation: The hottest thing about you is the fact that you don’t even know how sexy you are. You’re gorgeous!

"Stick with me and I'll get you a bag of chips after the nightclub" 

Sonnet 109: “For nothing this wide universe I call save thou, my rose, in it thou art my all.”

Translation: You’re the finest thing I’ve seen in ages. You’re so fine that I’m definitely going to try and buy you a bag of chips on the way home.

 

"Give us a smooch!"

Sonnet 130: “My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare as she belied with false compare.”

Translation: I would shift you before I’d shift anyone else in here. That’s a total compliment, by the way.

"You're lovely but I hate you!" 

Sonnet 147: “For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright, who art as black as hell, as dark as night.”

Translation: I love you but I hate you but I still love you... you’re such an a**!