The Final Couplet cover art

The Final Couplet

The Final Couplet

By: Theo Cowan
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About this listen

Join me, Theo Cowan, as I desperately attempt to work out what the hell William Shakespeare was going on about in all those sonnets. Don't worry, I create stupid little stories to accompany each one so you don't get too bored.Theo Cowan Art
Episodes
  • The Final Couplet Christmas Special 2025 ft. Kaffe Keating
    Dec 23 2025

    Join me and my amazing guest Kaffe Keating for our third and final Christmas Special. We talk Shakespeare and religion, weird festive traditions and the hell they got up to at New Year! Kaffe also surprised me with a phenomenal Christmas present at the end, so make sure to stick around.

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    48 mins
  • Shakespeare's Sonnet 133
    Dec 14 2025

    Shakespeare is really annoyed because his friend has now fallen in love with the Dark Lady as well.

    Our story continues with a confrontation!


    Sonnet 133

    Beshrew that heart that makes my heart to groan
    For that deep wound it gives my friend and me!
    Is't not enough to torture me alone,
    But slave to slavery my sweet'st friend must be?
    Me from myself thy cruel eye hath taken,
    And my next self thou harder hast engrossed:
    Of him, myself, and thee I am forsaken;
    A torment thrice three-fold thus to be crossed.
    Prison my heart in thy steel bosom's ward,
    But then my friend's heart let my poor heart bail;
    Whoe'er keeps me, let my heart be his guard;
    Thou canst not then use rigour in my jail:
    And yet thou wilt; for I, being pent in thee,
    Perforce am thine, and all that is in me.


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    26 mins
  • Shakespeare's Sonnet 132
    Dec 7 2025

    Shakespeare talks about his lovers eyes being all dark and pitying. He seems to like being pitied for some reason.


    Sonnet 132

    Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me,
    Knowing thy heart torments me with disdain,
    Have put on black and loving mourners be,
    Looking with pretty ruth upon my pain.
    And truly not the morning sun of heaven
    Better becomes the grey cheeks of the east,
    Nor that full star that ushers in the even,
    Doth half that glory to the sober west,
    As those two mourning eyes become thy face:
    O! let it then as well beseem thy heart
    To mourn for me since mourning doth thee grace,
    And suit thy pity like in every part.
    Then will I swear beauty herself is black,
    And all they foul that thy complexion lack.

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    23 mins
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