Forgotten Knight: 121 Classically-Styled Sonnets on Contemporary Themes

About this book: Forgotten Knight is a collection of 121 mostly Shakespearean and a few Petrarchan-styled sonnets. These poems tell tales of today on themes such as love, fantasy, pursuing dreams, mirth and whimsy. Each sonnet, a mere 14 lines, with a classical meter and rhyme scheme, deeply delves into the theme it comes under. The title sonnet tells the tale of a young soldier, maimed in battle, who returns home and struggles to cope. "Quasimodo's Lament" is a love story from afar, the narrator knowing he will never be the object of his true love's love. There are also a number of tributes such as "Ode to Keats," "Scandalize My Name" in honor of Paul Robeson, "Southern Literary Messenger," remembers Edgar Allen Poe, and "Dlya Pyotr," which honors Tchaikvsky. On the lighter side, "The Farce Awakens" parodies the Star Wars franchise, while "Bovine Brew" speaks to the wonders of cheese. This author's first volume of verse continues with a chronicle of his upbringing in Northern California told in 17 sonnets. Completing this work is a sonnet redouble' recounting the life, death, and inspirational legacy of Joan of Arc, with a novel twist, told in 15 textually intertwined sonnets and written in the first person.

About the author: In addition to being a writer, director, and actor, Robert Luis Rodriguez is an avid pool player and cook of many cuisines. Before college, Robert was a soccer goalie, and while attending the University of California, Berkeley, Robert played for the school's indoor soccer and ice hockey club teams. Among Robert's credits are the short film "Void" (writer and director), and the web series "The Firm--A Comedy Web Series" (writer, director and lead actor). Robert has written various spec film and television scripts, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA. He has performed in numerous plays and independent films, and has appeared in national and regional commercials. Robert's short play, "You're Funny," was performed in Towne Street Theatre's Ninth Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival."