William Shakespeare

[Beren3000]

A Midsummer Night's Dream has got to be my favorite Shakespeare play.
I've recently watched the BBC production of it. Perfect!

[Bombadillo]

I haven't read or seen that yet. It's one of those things on my "to read" list, which means I might get to it before I die.

I hated Shakespeare all throughout high school, but now that I graduated (I should say now that I just graduated, so I don't sound older than I am ) I realize it was really only because of the speech. Too hard to read... didn't feel like enjoying it. Apparently though, I got used to it by the time I read Macbeth junior year, and then I read Hamlet.

Hamlet rocks. Even just in its own right, regardless of its author's fame, and ignoring the challenge involved in writing entirely in iambic pentameter, it's a brilliant piece of work. I never expected that from Shakespeare, but no one does when they're in high school.

[Elfhelm]

He never wrote the plays to be read. He expected us to see them. He did write and publish some sonnets, though, that were meant to be read.

I say this because if the language is daunting to read, then how much more will it be in an early play that rhymes every line. I took Shakespeare in college and the first play was Midsummer. After about one page of it I gave up trying to read it and got a recording from the library. After listening once, I read it along with the recording and aced the quiz. Ta dah!

I've loved ol' Willy ever since.

[Rûdhaglarien]

I'm studying Shakespeare at college, now. Second class, in fact, is in 45 minutes. Our first is The Merchant of Venice. (I've been wondering about a good video/audio companion to go with my reading. If anyone has any suggestions, that'd be great.) Because seeing it is always so much better than reading it.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Try a theatre.

[Rûdhaglarien]

Well I would, of course. But it isn't actually running anywhere nearby, and as I'm rather transportation-less... you see my point, I'm sure.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I understand. I'm on a campus six miles from a town, with no car. And the six-mile away town is a pretty poor one in my estimation. We've got a nice 25-minuter, though.

[Count Comfect]

The Pacino Merchant is supposed to be good, although I personally have not seen it. That's a recent version, so it'll be out on DVD (probably VHS too if you have a VCR but nothing on which to play DVDs).

The BBC versions of the plays are good, usually, although sometimes a bit stilted - I don't really recommend their Othello for instance - but they're usually fairly easy to find, and they will give a better sense of the text than a simple readthrough can ever do.

[Fenir_LacDanan]

Originally Posted by Count Comfect

The BBC versions of the plays are good, usually, although sometimes a bit stilted but they're usually fairly easy to find, and they will give a better sense of the text than a simple readthrough can ever do.

I fully agree Count, the BBC movies give a good portrayal of the text.

Speaking of the Merchant of Venice, what does anyone think of the anti-semitic portrayal of Shylock? Or indeed, is there an anti-semitic tinge at all?

[hectorberlioz]

So we've heard that Ole Shakey was:

1) Non-Existent

2) Gay

3) An Atheist

But what do you guys think of the theory that he was a closet Catholic?

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I've heard it; seems plausible, but I wouldn't put any great faith in it. Possibly also gay.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Gwaimir Windgem

I've heard it; seems plausible, but I wouldn't put any great faith in it. Possibly also gay.

I've always wondered how they would know if they also thought he didn't exist, or even write the plays!.. Can't seem to win for losing!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I doubt anyone believes all of those theories.

[hectorberlioz]

Well you see what I'm saying though:

#1: Wow Shakespeare was so awesome!

Professor: Hate to break it to you, but that guy didn't even exist and if he did, he didn't write those plays.

#1: Well, whoever he is seems to hit the nail on the head.

Professor: Most atheists do. And by the way, he was also gay.

[Curubethion]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

So we've heard that Ole Shakey was:

1) Non-Existent

2) Gay

3) An Atheist

But what do you guys think of the theory that he was a closet Catholic?

Actually...there's actually something to that Catholic theory...consider, for example, his reference to Purgatory found in Hamlet. He also wrote a eulogy to his deceased son, I believe...

[hectorberlioz]

Yes, that and some not so nice "descriptions" of the queen's anti-catholicism (reading it into Macbeth I think)

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

Well you see what I'm saying though:

#1: Wow Shakespeare was so awesome!

Professor: Hate to break it to you, but that guy didn't even exist and if he did, he didn't write those plays.

#1: Well, whoever he is seems to hit the nail on the head.

Professor: Most atheists do. And by the way, he was also gay.

Hehehe. Good ol' caricatures!

Also, members of his family were known to be Catholic, and he attended a school with strong Catholic connections.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Gwaimir Windgem

Hehehe. Good ol' caricatures!

You enjoy them too? I thought I was the only one...

Also, members of his family were known to be Catholic, and he attended a school with strong Catholic connections.

That's what I've heard....I read a lot about it in First Things, a catholic magazine (the newest of which I bought today).

I've always wondered about his name. What a cool name!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

First Things isn't actually Catholic, but an ecumenical journal. It just seems Catholic 'cause we've got all the good writers.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Gwaimir Windgem

First Things isn't actually Catholic, but an ecumenical journal. It just seems Catholic 'cause we've got all the good writers.

Well, it's MOSTLY catholic...btw, the writer of the music articles teahces at this college. Hah.