Explore the poem

This song is taken from the final act of Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. It is sung by the ‘Clown’ or court jester, Feste, in a play that is full of references to music. The opening line offers a sweet image of the little tiny boy, while the surprising ‘and’ where we might expect a ‘but’ draws attention to both parts of the line.

The simple lyrical quality of the poem, its rhyme and rhythm patterns and frequent use of repetition all contribute to its song‑like qualities.

Consider the tone of the poem and the philosophical aspects of the content. The wind and rain perhaps suggest the difficulties and hardships that are a constant accompaniment to all stages of a person’s life. The singer does not rant against the elements but seems to accept them stoically and almost wistfully with a ‘hey, ho’.

In the final stanza, the trials and tribulations of life are put to one side for a moment in the hope that the play can provide comfort and pleasure and an escape from the wind and the rain for a short while.

About William Shakespeare

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare was a poet and playwright who lived in the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. He is a figure who dominates the study of English literature across the world. His plays remain exceptionally popular, especially his comedies, for example, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and his tragedies Macbeth and Hamlet.

Shakespeare was not only a commercially successful writer of plays for performance in Elizabethan England but also an accomplished actor and shrewd theatrical manager. He was one of the owners of the Globe Theatre for many years. By the time of his death in 1616, he was a man of some wealth and fame.

Although his plays continue to be studied in schools and universities and performed all over the world, Shakespeare is also remembered for his 154 sonnets, which include Sonnet 18, one of his most widely read: ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’