tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34911262102839357372024-03-05T06:09:01.482-06:00Much Ado About Nothing and Everything Else ShakespeareanA blog dedicated to the play "Much Ado About Nothing." It is also devoted to its author, William Shakespeare. Other plays and sonnets will be explored aside from the comedy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-52166761512105450232009-06-23T10:37:00.002-05:002009-06-23T10:39:57.685-05:00The Official End?My reading of Shakespeare won't end, but this blog will probably end for a while. I just graduated from college, I've undertaken a job and I've been busy getting written works published, so there's a chance I probably won't be working on this blog for quite a while. I did leave an "end post" at the end of the 2008 Shakespeare class, but I will give this blog the "official ending."<br /><br />I thank Linda for her help on the blog and to Dr. Clemente who showed me the ropes to making effective blog posts. I know I won't stop blogging in the future, but for now, I will need to concentrate on new interests and tasks.<br /><br />Till then, goodbye for now...<br /><br /><strong>- Kristopher</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-45068587937891220092008-07-24T21:52:00.019-05:002008-08-02T13:23:25.706-05:00"Othello's" Star Schemer is...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB4zRkBX65NQJEs9XXR1UYDa9hmVmCLoBDyoZHATmEmrzc9qBaw4kmn6-7IjNKxSY7qej69ZvCN5rkouwfhjqpcOBrWSKXGaxdP0UXVuG_UK6lFFQhg73E7QsFXTXnPyVOuhacP_gcVQ/s1600-h/Othello_6_lg.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226792332973813970" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 273px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqB4zRkBX65NQJEs9XXR1UYDa9hmVmCLoBDyoZHATmEmrzc9qBaw4kmn6-7IjNKxSY7qej69ZvCN5rkouwfhjqpcOBrWSKXGaxdP0UXVuG_UK6lFFQhg73E7QsFXTXnPyVOuhacP_gcVQ/s320/Othello_6_lg.gif" border="0" height="197" width="270" /></a>So...can anyone list off one of Shakespeare's most insidious (and complex) villains to grace the stage? Don John the Bastard? Right, right, the "sinister" level based on his namesake is laughable. Puck? He's as antagonistic as a housefly harassing a trash can. The Three Weird Sisters? Fairly insidious but too ominous to really cause damage. Lady Macbeth? Pretty close but the wife of the troubled title protagonist is still beaten at the "Star Schemer" spot. Caliban? Oh sure, he's a vicious character who does bad things but he ends up being pitied more than despised.<br /><br /><br />No, ladies and gentlemen. I believe one of Shakespeare's greatest villains is also a character who followed through the course of creation in the same area as Sir John Falstaff of <em>King Henry IV Part I </em>and Shylock of <em>The Merchant of Venice. </em>He's a character who gained a life of his own that he stole the pen away from the Bard himself!<br /><br /><div></div><div>That villain, on the subject of <em>Othello, </em>would be none other than the infamous <a href="http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/iago001.html">Iago.</a> I believe no other villain in Shakespeare's writings would have single handedly manipulate the protagonist towards tragedy. Iago is a racist and a sexist whose sinister nature allows him to use his cunning to the fullest. He has more lines than the other characters in <em>Othello </em>and rival's the title character's presence.</div><div></div><div>But what would motivate Iago to move as the antagonist? At first when I read the play, Iago appears to feel he was denied promotion from his general, Othello. Other people who studied Iago have come up with their own reasons why he enjoys trickery and emotional destruction (homosexual love for Othello, sadistic tendencies, high intelligence, etc.) but Shakespeare I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1ocJz9Dice6rORko_ajALNXdTDP12AvnUTLYqo_xIPURGWtkYyexSLDRS6VgVJdo64ZeeefXaE1eqli62S3aHCEYS5QBTPYwyw_6uDoUj-qOXP6c26dMG3X1kCh2Wrc-_o078Ui8hAE/s1600-h/Othelloiagomovie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226795665893505026" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 275px; height: 213px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1ocJz9Dice6rORko_ajALNXdTDP12AvnUTLYqo_xIPURGWtkYyexSLDRS6VgVJdo64ZeeefXaE1eqli62S3aHCEYS5QBTPYwyw_6uDoUj-qOXP6c26dMG3X1kCh2Wrc-_o078Ui8hAE/s320/Othelloiagomovie.jpg" border="0" height="185" width="284" /></a>believe wrote Iago initially to play the role of the hand that manipulates the scenes. If Iago were observed on a level outside his character and persona, he would symbolically resemble Fate's cruel hand moving events towards the worse for Othello and company. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Iago is highly successful in his mission to ruin lives and possibly has more reasons for revenge other than his role and and bigoted, jealous personality. We can see how Othello might have been viewed as an outsider for his time based on Moorish roots and why Iago, ironically his trusted ensign, could be racist due to his superior receiving more respect and acclaim. Yet could Iago had more reasons for possessing so much hatred and destroying the lives of everyone around him? The reader is free to interpret and decide. </div><br /><div>Many actors have portrayed the vile Iago. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Serkis">Andy Serkis, </a>best known for portraying Gollum in the <em>Lord of the Rings</em> trilogy, gave his take and interpretation on the villain:</div><br /><div><em><strong>"There are a million theories to Iago's motivations, but I believed that Iago was once a good soldier, a great man's man to have around, a bit of a laugh, who feels betrayed, gets jealous of his friend, wants to mess it up for him, enjoys causing him pain, makes a choice to channel all his creative energy into the destruction of this human being, and becomes completely addicted to the power he wields over him. I didn't want to play him as initially malevolent. He's not the devil</strong></em><em><strong>. He's you or me feeling jealous and not being able to control our feelings."</strong></em></div><br /><div>Iago in a way is tormented by his desire for power and revenge:</div><br /><div><strong><em>"It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>To be producted-as, if I stay, I shall-</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Against the Moor. For I do know the state,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>However this may gall him with some check,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Cannot with safety cast him; for he's embarked</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Which even now stands in act, that for their souls</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Another of his fathom they have none</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>To lead their business; in which regard</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Though I do hate him as I do hell pains,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Yet, for necessity of present life,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>I must show out a flag and sign of love,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him..."</em></strong></div><br /><div>Iago gives out several monologues expressing his intentions, but he also subtlely conceals them through speech:</div><br /><div><strong><em>"And what's he then that says I play the Villain?" </em></strong>Apparently, Iago enjoys his vengeance a <em>little </em>too much!</div><br />So Iago plans his revenge against Othello which succeeds in many ways:<br /><div></div><div>- Iago plans for Othello to demote Michael Cassio who earned the higher promotion instead. He manipulates Cassio into a drunken fight securing his demotion. He also plots another fight for Cassio to "lose," only this time it is against Rodrigo. Rodrigo ends up dying by Cassio's hand while Cassio suffers an injury.</div><br /><div>- Iago's greatest offense comes from convincing Othello that his beloved wife Desdemona had been having an affair with Cassio behind the general's back. Iago has his wife Emilia steal Desdemona's handkerchief away. Iago misinforms Othello that Desdemona's handkerchief was given to Cassio, instigating an idea of the false affair. Othello ends up accusing Desdemona of sleeping around behind his back and smothers his wife with a pillow. Desdemona's death and uncovering her innocence drives Othello to despair and suicide, allowing Iago's revenge to conclude in a full bitter circle.</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXa_UyFkd5wx97BqpDYVJlx2r8YYAr_fAcocjHYJ4EYlEpdSomhXJTUi2XLyXxxw5AuwIVTKdJ9fCJbRCgzfUcm7PBZLD6OyJzltfI-bSNGQ2l1w6K3Fu1TADx6ptebB7vv34h0en1ug/s1600-h/Olivier%2520Othello.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226798011808917954" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 256px; height: 181px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXa_UyFkd5wx97BqpDYVJlx2r8YYAr_fAcocjHYJ4EYlEpdSomhXJTUi2XLyXxxw5AuwIVTKdJ9fCJbRCgzfUcm7PBZLD6OyJzltfI-bSNGQ2l1w6K3Fu1TADx6ptebB7vv34h0en1ug/s320/Olivier%2520Othello.jpg" border="0" height="256" width="362" /></a>The reason why Iago is a great villain in <em>Othello </em>(and the greatest villain in Shakespeare's rogue's gallery) is because Iago possesses the capability of existing with us right now in this crazy twenty-first century. There will be a great figure utilizing great power with another figure below to plot the power house's demise. There will just be that person who will always hatch a plan when no one expect it to happen, who will escape suspicion while causing significant physical and emotional damage in the long run. Iago will remain fresh in people's minds as he is a villain who may endure for years to come.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_YGnor7YhWc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_YGnor7YhWc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em>P.S.: I have also decided to show a video to further illustrate Iago's villainy. This guy in the video recites Iago's dialogue from Act I Scene II in </em>Othello.<em> All I have to say is that the fedora and the cigarette make nice touches to this interpretation of Iago's malice.</em></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>- Kristopher</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-72691711258084287672008-07-17T20:29:00.007-05:002008-07-18T17:39:49.180-05:00Othello - A Tragedy Currently in Reading<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveTaUbRkY2XXLaC4dHfS2jftNLEJko9EW7o7Bf1rX2Wvh73V7b_pMDmPVwI7UPPdOpIzKRvLXJHGTV8yuTX11uoq_A80bDa-DUTqErOQSHVqYbNkdB7hi2HFvJ-yzvvkiiUkyQd8PK4Q/s1600-h/othello_micromosaic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224171475852511858" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 270px; height: 233px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveTaUbRkY2XXLaC4dHfS2jftNLEJko9EW7o7Bf1rX2Wvh73V7b_pMDmPVwI7UPPdOpIzKRvLXJHGTV8yuTX11uoq_A80bDa-DUTqErOQSHVqYbNkdB7hi2HFvJ-yzvvkiiUkyQd8PK4Q/s320/othello_micromosaic.jpg" border="0" /></a> I've covered most of William Shakespeare's well known plays but I have only begun to uncover <em><a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/">Othello.</a> Othello </em>tells a story of the main protagonist under siege from racial discrimination, personal insecurity and betrayal. The tragedy is based on a short story by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Battista_Giraldi">Italian novelist and poet Giovanni Battista Giraldi, also known as Cinthio. </a><br /><br />Othello is a Christian Moor who is highly renowned as a general fighting against the Turks for the Venetian military. He is secretly married to the beautiful Desdemona, the daughter of Senator Brabantio. The antagonist is Othello's advisor Iago, whose mix of jealousy, bigotry and sinister cunning help drive Othello's life into the dust.<br /><br />For now<em>, </em>Othello, its characters and themes will be under study in "Much Ado About Nothing and Everything Else Shakespearean." I shall end this note with a quote from the infamous Iago:<br /><br /><strong><em>"The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona</em></strong><br /><strong><em>A most dear husband. Now I do love her too;</em></strong><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlYIQPOFbNSkjch-0DGHlR8pIBPNGe7NWM5-AqADnvAyFyFou0dWcMfhw9cWLQQZHhW1iSaKfhHMl9l1qyxFhUv7lSNtlBEVL3yTNwnSmQFRshTCSu8CDI08cOlZoataHp6gnINlmulU/s1600-h/othello_3_lg.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlYIQPOFbNSkjch-0DGHlR8pIBPNGe7NWM5-AqADnvAyFyFou0dWcMfhw9cWLQQZHhW1iSaKfhHMl9l1qyxFhUv7lSNtlBEVL3yTNwnSmQFRshTCSu8CDI08cOlZoataHp6gnINlmulU/s320/othello_3_lg.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224487090319535698" border="0" /></a><strong><em>Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure</em></strong><br /><strong><em>I stand accountant for as great a sin,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>But partly led to diet my revenge,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>For that I do suspect the lusty Moor</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Hath leaped into my seat, the thought whereof</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>And nothing can or shall content my soul</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Till I am evened with him, wife for wife;</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor</em></strong><br /><strong><em>At least into a jealousy so strong</em></strong><br /><strong><em>That judgement cannot cure. Which thing to do,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace</em></strong><br /><strong><em>For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Abuse him to the Moor in rank garb</em></strong><br /><strong><em>(For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too),</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me</em></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9H0Kao-GqvNhRBJEsq57rQflX8nxTyd9n_DiIv6llzEK8nqQSZ8ShyphenhyphenY4ViPSsS3qYz4P_8i79QaXSZACjouYmDy2P1xAg43c6o80vvN6PLFhNgMI_3ZoSSJFzcj0rz5mMdjQpGNOstw/s1600-h/othello.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9H0Kao-GqvNhRBJEsq57rQflX8nxTyd9n_DiIv6llzEK8nqQSZ8ShyphenhyphenY4ViPSsS3qYz4P_8i79QaXSZACjouYmDy2P1xAg43c6o80vvN6PLFhNgMI_3ZoSSJFzcj0rz5mMdjQpGNOstw/s320/othello.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224487392052919458" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>For making him egregiously an ass</em></strong><br /><strong><em>And practicing upon his peace and quiet</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Knavery's plain face is never seen till used."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Ah, this quote alone appears to set the dark tone of the play. So I shall venture in and see what tragedy unfolds!<br /><br />- Kristopher<br /><br /><em></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-12294494366564053792008-06-25T12:18:00.008-05:002008-07-08T16:55:11.233-05:00Titania and the Foolhardiness in her Wake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXiMr0muV8hweIV3OtesortKwN_Oxg3laA9G0rBo8p61zzC16t8538V865c1CWidYMhSwrYJhH0bCh257mSvxObaCNPfZ5yhNHFz-u7F1HfKzgtpOSgjc7vemMDwMS4KWtbvTge2kx9o/s1600-h/TheQuarrelOfOberonandTitania.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215879204055456226" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 284px; height: 203px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXiMr0muV8hweIV3OtesortKwN_Oxg3laA9G0rBo8p61zzC16t8538V865c1CWidYMhSwrYJhH0bCh257mSvxObaCNPfZ5yhNHFz-u7F1HfKzgtpOSgjc7vemMDwMS4KWtbvTge2kx9o/s320/TheQuarrelOfOberonandTitania.jpg" border="0" /></a> Well, it has been quite a while since I have posted anything on this blog! There is a lot more to Shakespeare than what we explored in the class and the blog can serve a continuing interest.<br />One character from <em>A Midsummer Night's Dream </em>that I thought of covering is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titania_%28Fairy_Queen%29">Titania. </a>The queen of the fairies, Titania is regal in her manners and appearance. She goes against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberon">Oberon, the King of the Fairies,</a> to secure an Indian boy in her care. For a while Titania has the edge over Oberon...or does she?<br /><br />Oberon's edge is <a href="http://www.boldoutlaw.com/puckrobin/puck.html">Puck,</a> whose mischievous nature manipulate's a donkeyfied <a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/msnd/terms/char_11.html">Nick Bottom </a>to fall for Titania. So why would the Queen of the Fairies ball for a buffoon now officially an ass? Because Puck inserted magical juice from a flower into her eyelids.<br /><br />Titania's "romantic" relationship with Bottom appears to parody both the rich <em>and </em>poor. The extreme stereotypes of the self-righteous rich and the self-righteous poor are brought together, much to he humor of the audience!<br /><br />As far as Shakespeare's female characters go, I would consider Titania is among the least developed. She does not appear to have any strong woes or complications save for safeguarding the Indian boy away from the fairy king. That does not mean she is a "useless" character. The <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy0R3ypNxtvpGJc8VswObzcd9gbExsWHqXdmLFrgxzcFwvvqllKfrDScq-ObMTgrxegI6rwjMTNdPKs-sTPCvQ817C-wSNWdAinsNU-UW5uIQUNVfsflLXJ8JcocdaDxCdLGtwXBurb4/s1600-h/titania2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215878992246575938" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy0R3ypNxtvpGJc8VswObzcd9gbExsWHqXdmLFrgxzcFwvvqllKfrDScq-ObMTgrxegI6rwjMTNdPKs-sTPCvQ817C-wSNWdAinsNU-UW5uIQUNVfsflLXJ8JcocdaDxCdLGtwXBurb4/s320/titania2.jpg" border="0" /></a>relationship between Bottom and Titania can mirror the comedies involving the average looking dude and the beautiful woman. <em>There's Something About Mary, A Fish Called Wanda </em>and any Woody Allen comedy featuring the bumbling guy trying to get the vixen with success.<br /><br />In Bottom's case however, his fun with Titania is assumed as a dream. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7rIvHPHNfgWujKk9q8PYfu1qTs8AWPPmSNPWM8HeNJGEItc4uD0mnbk7rx1dlLh4FFcfn15m626oMqDUcz5jc6st6ccCiWL9kSmzN-tOmRJIMXOaF6hBzPI2DhQUAU6-QiibJtArghw/s1600-h/Titania.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215878394244766034" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 210px; height: 161px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7rIvHPHNfgWujKk9q8PYfu1qTs8AWPPmSNPWM8HeNJGEItc4uD0mnbk7rx1dlLh4FFcfn15m626oMqDUcz5jc6st6ccCiWL9kSmzN-tOmRJIMXOaF6hBzPI2DhQUAU6-QiibJtArghw/s320/Titania.jpg" border="0" height="205" width="234" /></a><br /><br />Titania, like other Shakespearian characters, has touched onto popular culture. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titania_%28moon%29">The largest moon orbiting the planet Uranus is </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titania_%28moon%29">named after the Queen of the Fairies.</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.dracandros.com/Jebgarg/tge/titania.htm">The animated TV show Gargoyles also features Titania as a character. </a><br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-21871803467582195882008-05-11T10:41:00.007-05:002008-05-11T11:25:18.446-05:00The Globe Theatre - Shakespeare's Grand Audience Chamber<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI3P3ss6VpVgbm4u0gdJiG81rqQNAF2dBOfVwckuiwDt6zlV6TXiISfqXEo-3ffucVAkFpNUjqg_PJ5MNNmcghjJxH3QfJdSSY8m1mOG1hNBr1kb-ZLFxj8n3QGoV7np4jZ0o5zk4jlg/s1600-h/20071021_094103.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199152342129009842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="232" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI3P3ss6VpVgbm4u0gdJiG81rqQNAF2dBOfVwckuiwDt6zlV6TXiISfqXEo-3ffucVAkFpNUjqg_PJ5MNNmcghjJxH3QfJdSSY8m1mOG1hNBr1kb-ZLFxj8n3QGoV7np4jZ0o5zk4jlg/s320/20071021_094103.jpg" width="276" border="0" /></a> Shakespeare would have had his large uniplex back in the day with the <a href="http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/">Globe Theatre.</a> It is an iconic building where Shakespeare's plays were performed to thousands of people. The theatre was not just a theatre in itself, but it was also supposed to be a brothel and gambling house. Like any good movie theatre, merchandise and refreshments were offered.<br /><br />Before the Globe Theatre, there was simply The Theater constructed in Shoreditch, London in 1576. The owner of the theater was James Burbage who had to deal with an expired twenty-one year old lease. The grounds landlord, Giles Allen, had no taste for theater whatsoever. This prompted the landlord to close it down and capitalize on the building materials. But Burbage spotted a clause that stated he could dismantle the theater on his own. So Burbage and the acting troupe moved the materials over to Bankside in Southwark. The troupe itself was responsible to carrying the wood across the River Thames!<br /><br /><div>In 1597-1598, the Globe Theatre as we know it was constructed by carpenter Peter Smith and his company. Other theaters sprouted before the Globe, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Theatre">Hope Theatre </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rose_(theatre)">Rose Theatre.</a> The Globe became the most famous. The Globe's fame was attributed back in its heyday where plays were in constant demand and money was to be made from them. Thousands flocked to the theatre, for attending the latest play would have been a colorful event <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh264VVnSOWP9UJQOpeIwBBYZBPsk-yRmgubdDIFPaqIG8K0tfA4t_BNpJHG1zjkYOSduT1-23aWO3iOZ7c1ddxnWP1Wsvk8YymteUxpPeNpaN4UOgp-HE3LfNPkuNES2Vr0yFnJpZdfbg/s1600-h/london-globe2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199152681431426242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh264VVnSOWP9UJQOpeIwBBYZBPsk-yRmgubdDIFPaqIG8K0tfA4t_BNpJHG1zjkYOSduT1-23aWO3iOZ7c1ddxnWP1Wsvk8YymteUxpPeNpaN4UOgp-HE3LfNPkuNES2Vr0yFnJpZdfbg/s320/london-globe2.jpg" border="0" /></a>indeed! The flags on the top of the Globe were a form of advertising, the color of the flag indicating what sort of play would be performed. A black flag would be a tragedy, a white flag would be a comedy and the red flag indicated a history play (To me, this method appears similiar to how pirates signaled their malice by placing either white or black flag on their ships!). Commoners in the audience would sit on the floor while the rich sat in chairs.</div><br /><div>On June 29th, 1613 a fire broke out in the Globe. The culprit was the cannon used for special effects, which the gunpowder set flame on the thatch roof. The Globe was rebuilt a year later, referred to as "Globe 2." In 1644, the Globe was demolished again by the Puritans. The Puritans with their religious beliefs believed theatre to be a sinful form of entertainment. After the Globe's second destruction, it was never rebuilt again. The old Globe site was found in the 20th century and rebuilt on the same spot.</div><br /><div>For more of an overview of the Globe, <a href="http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-globe-theatre.htm">click here.</a></div><div></div><div>- Kristopher</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-29763661167030726972008-04-29T17:43:00.005-05:002008-04-29T19:31:12.740-05:00Thanks, for the memories!<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" unselectable="on" width="100%"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off">My little additions to our GREAT Blog in Shakespeare hardly seems worthy of any praise <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">compared</span> to the unrelenting and marvelous work that my partner, Kristopher Miller( remember that name, Fame!), did on this project. I am nothing without him! I must give credit where credit is due. (I wonder if that was one of Shakespeare's great lines?!) This was so much fun! I loved reading all of the other blogs from fellow classmates and must say that they were all wonderful.<br /><br />Dr. Clemente's Shakespeare class was the best, and was the highlight of this semester for me. My other five classes didn't "hold a candle" (Shakespeare's phrase?) to my Shakespeare class. Not only did I read great Shakespearean plays I had never had the opportunity to enjoy before, but the rewards from the readings are enormous ones for me, too many to speak of now.<br /><br />I will be graduating in the fall of 2008 and probably will not have any more classes on the main campus at Peru after this week, so, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">farewell</span> to all of the wonderful people I have met there along the way, as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">well</span> as those of you who have shared with me the enjoyment of Dr. Clemente's <strong><em>Shakespeare</em> </strong>class.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Fair thee well," <span style="color:#000000;">Kris</span><span style="color:#000000;">, Dr. Clemente, and friends</span>. "When shall we meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? When the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hurley</span>- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">burley's</span> done (<em>Macbeth</em>)."</span><br />.........Linda</td></tr><tr unselectable="on" hb_tag="1"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-12323242493187746722008-04-29T16:51:00.003-05:002008-04-29T18:51:13.393-05:00OOOOH! Witchcraft!<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" unselectable="on" width="100%"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off"><p>Who doesn't love a scary story from time to time? Shakespeare has a way of incorporating scary characters in most of his plays, comedies and tragedies, keeping his readers entertained as well as on the edge of their seats. There are <span style="color:#c0c0c0;">ghosts</span> appearing in both <em>Hamlet </em>and <em>Macbeth</em>, <strong>dark</strong> fairies and a crazy, scary little guy named Puck in <em>A Mid Summer's Night's Dream</em>, and Caliban, the <span style="font-family:courier new;">deformed</span> slave, along with many, many <span style="color:#ffcc00;">spirits </span><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#000000;">are found</span> </span>in the <em>Tempest</em>. How much fun is that!<br /><br />But, for me, the Weird Sisters in <em>Macbeth</em> are my favorite scary and chilling characters of all the Shakespearean plays. How many times did I repeat "Double, Double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble," as a child when playing <em>witches</em> or on Halloween fifty some years ago saying over and over, "Something wicked this way comes," having absolutely no idea where those phrases came from or when I first heard them said? </p><p>Shakespeare had not only added brightly colored phrases from his ingenious plays to the English Language, but caused a small child to embrace and add <strong>vivid imagery</strong> to her simple speech! Thank you, Shakespeare, where ever you are, for that. .........Linda<br /></p></td></tr><tr unselectable="on" hb_tag="1"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-80918586659368817842008-04-29T16:10:00.003-05:002008-04-29T18:55:24.897-05:00Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth: Evil is as Evil DoesMirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the Evilest one of all? Macbeth or his wife? The answer lies with whether one is talking about the beginning or the ending of Shakespeare's tragic play, "Macbeth."<br /><br />Of course, love is rather blinding to the weaker in a relationship and it sets the stage for all kinds of manipulation by the stronger personality. In this case, the stronger of the two being Lady Macbeth, who also is the Evilest of the two in the beginning of the play. Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth about doing deeds that will truly make him a man, convincing him to kill Duncan.<br /><br />Her lust for power is more than ambitious, it is EVIL! Poor Macbeth had misguided ambition from that point on, getting a taste for power more and more after each killing. In the end, he became the greatest villian. I find it hard to believe that in one of the greatest Shakespeare tragedies ever written, one so evil as Lady Macbeth could so quickly get a conscience and go so 'mad' and die so abruptly. Justice? On the other hand, poor misguided Macbeth continued his quest for kingship though murder after murder, with madness on top of madness, until the mirror broke from his reflection. .......LindaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-31516437406410713152008-04-27T20:35:00.002-05:002008-04-27T20:49:19.084-05:00'Tis Been Fun...I have enjoyed Shakespeare class for it gave me a whole new perpsective on Shakespeare and how he worked on his plays and sonnets. The class also exposed me to plays that I have never read before (<em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>was a surprise hit with me), or what I have always been wanting to take a glimpse at (<em>King Lear, The Tempest</em>).<br /><br />The class in Shakespeare had another shining highlight to it: an opportunity to learn how to work with a blog. I have not used a blog before Shakespeare class and it gave me a new perspective on blogs as a whole. I know that blogs can be used for more than just personal purposes. If there is a subject that interests me and if I want to comment on it, I can make a blog exploring the subject. It is fun to use a blog overall; the ability to apply hyperlinks, photos, graphics, videos and other stuff onto posts makes for an engaging experience. It is satisfying when people look at your blog and are impressed by the work you have put together. <br /><br />Creating a blog for Shakespeare made me realize how many websites there are on Shakespeare and his works. There are literally hundreds of, if not thousands or more, sites devoted to critical analyses on the plays, their characters and what influenced Shakespeare to write the way he did. Looking over famous quotes that have been used in other media, such as movies, comics, etc., has made me realize on how much of a cultural impact Shakespeare made into the English language and global culture as a whole. <br /><br />Countries which do not have English as an initial language such as Japan and Russia have made their own versions of Shakespeare's plays. Russia has its <em>King Lear. </em>Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa filmed <em>Throne of Blood </em>and <em>Ran, </em>both adaptations of <em>Macbeth </em>and <em>King Lear </em>respectively. It is amazing how one culture who speaks one language influences another that speaks an entirely different language, as Shakespeare's stories have elements that everyone can relate to.<br /><br />Making the Shakespeare blog has given me a new appreciation for Shakespeare. I hope to keep "Much Ado About Nothing and Everything Else Shakespearean" running with sonnets and plays not explored in the class. <br /><br />I would like to thank my partner, Linda, for helping me out with the blog and the video performance. I know she has not been able to make as many posts as I had, but her commentary on different plays were welcome.<br /><br />'Tis been fun!<br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-42858983695989698392008-04-21T15:47:00.002-05:002008-04-21T15:59:04.250-05:00Much Ado About Nothing - A Heated Exchange Between Beatrice and BenedickYes, I know <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>is long and gone from our session. But since my blog is themed of that play and that I have not posted anything related to it for a while, I decided to give out one of my favorite parts where Benedick and Beatrice fling bad words at each other.<br /><br />I was also looking for an excuse to put up a good quote from the play. I have been exploring characters and themes from the plays we have read as well as aspects of Shakespeare's life for the most part. I thought the blog deserved a bit of the language. This takes place in Act I, Scene I, lines 107-139: <br /><br /><em><strong>Benedick: </strong>If Signor Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Beatrice: </strong>I wonder that you will be still talking, Signor Benedick. Nobody marks you.</em><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br /><em><strong>Benedick: </strong>What my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Beatrice: </strong>Is it possible disdain should die while he hath such meet food to feed it as Signor Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Benedick: </strong>Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted, and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Beatrice: </strong>A dear happiness to women! They should else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humor for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Benedick: </strong>God keep your ladyship still in that mind! So some gentlemen or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Beatrice: </strong>Scratching could not make it worse an 'twere such a face as yours were.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Benedick: </strong>Well, you are a rare parrot teacher.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Beatrice: </strong>A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Benedick: </strong>I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, a God's name! I have done.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em><strong>Beatrice: </strong>You always end with a jade's trick. I know you of old.</em><br /><br />It takes the interference of Pedro to end Beatrice and Benedick's bickering. It also takes Beatrice to skew away at Benedick's pride. Alas, poor Benedick...<br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-10643312091866400992008-04-21T09:25:00.011-05:002008-07-17T16:54:22.486-05:00Caliban - Oppressed Creature or Menacing Monster?<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191707374645114994" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LN6UmGrxIOR7OuPeaKfr3uSLqYx8CUfh0r9F9j-dcGP2XBYNMi4ZiaItpIi18YJBeMym6Equ6Fgl0LKxyuJImhMhmYA7TfNwDBv3dzf8790x2elLTZ3DhAsVim6kzAERmd9f3egJ1xk/s320/caliban.gif" border="0" />When one thinks of <a href="http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/tempest001.html">Caliban, </a>the thought of a reeking, hairy, filthy but tragic and wily creature comes to mind. He is under the service of Prospero, the sorcerer on the island where <em>The Tempest </em>takes place. Both Ariel, a spirit, and Caliban can be considered <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/itc/lithum/gallo/tempest.html">"colonized subjects," </a>meaning they are natives under a nonnative master.<br /><div><div></div><div>Caliban is a bitter creature, expressing this in many ways. He is honest from the very beginning:</div><div><br /></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div><strong><em>"You taught me the language, and my profit on't</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>For learning me your language!"</em></strong></div><div></div><div>Can we say that it is the equivalent of biting the hand that feeds? Prospero and Miranda in return simply say "Oh shut up!"</div><div><br />Being an antagonist of <em>The Tempest, </em>Caliban later attempts to rape Miranda. He is also infamous for plotting with shipwrecked visitors of how to get rid Prospero and his powers on the island, so he can act as supreme ruler. </div><div></div><div>The native harbors bitter feelings and thoughts for revenge as he is the deformed son of the witch <a href="http://www.wyrdology.com/shakespeare/sycorax.html">Sycorax.</a> Sycorax was responsible for imprisoning Ariel within a tree until Prospero came along and rescued him/her (the gender depends on the performance and the interpretation). Upon Sycorax's demise, Caliban came under Prospero's control. The creature is angry because he believes he is the rightful owner of the island, attempting to regain control through troublesome means.<br /></div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqu1Y8u0FbHZR3qiPd3-0tsrt0KsaueXapybLDCEc_bszAwtx1h2Q-GOY20Fq7bpYaWGFMg2YkZsNHPTaMarPG30Xj8fPZuP30wMwM5Uoi9oWJmBSg0MdlMe3kMrYr-O78SbLmRt99XA/s1600-h/Caliban.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191709109811902594" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqu1Y8u0FbHZR3qiPd3-0tsrt0KsaueXapybLDCEc_bszAwtx1h2Q-GOY20Fq7bpYaWGFMg2YkZsNHPTaMarPG30Xj8fPZuP30wMwM5Uoi9oWJmBSg0MdlMe3kMrYr-O78SbLmRt99XA/s320/Caliban.jpg" border="0" /></a>Caliban like other Shakespearean characters and stories has made impact on modern culture. There are characters borrowing his name, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliban_%28comics%29">Caliban</a> from the Marvel Comics universe. There is also a German metal group known as <a href="http://www.thegauntlet.com/album-reviews/79/1882/Caliban.html">Caliban</a> who borrows the name from the savage. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpESigAb5SsWErbvlbdsvtZS_0QCA-dh-XOOhRG_p9uaAQDWkqx6dNVK0fwvIkYxzTixxH9O5GvkW-x8NGuR-10ThtD-tbAuG4ujPch1_1ylYNFWFfRjpSRNkFRuIXqLstx0i2u1ctQ6g/s1600-h/caliban_tud.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191758789698615474" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpESigAb5SsWErbvlbdsvtZS_0QCA-dh-XOOhRG_p9uaAQDWkqx6dNVK0fwvIkYxzTixxH9O5GvkW-x8NGuR-10ThtD-tbAuG4ujPch1_1ylYNFWFfRjpSRNkFRuIXqLstx0i2u1ctQ6g/s320/caliban_tud.jpg" border="0" height="234" width="192" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>So Caliban with his newly found cohorts Stephano and Trinculo were driven out by Prospero's sorcery but his presence can never be driven out of Shakespeare's world and the English language. Like it or not, Caliban's menacing (and sometimes comical) presence remains and does not look like it will be leaving anytime soon.</div><div></div><div>- Kristopher</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-18058170661105909802008-04-14T13:18:00.009-05:002008-07-06T22:09:59.898-05:00Lady Macbeth and her scheming persona<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTacbqSN2hMEcu33TQYjskHx9hw2im3k-1TvMLWPmioZOhYK23ewI114InhYK_Y8_omY_p1dEmpt26Hu8DdBK7r73LVB3l6XMo-q7zNXQeUOeQ9-ihoS0L_Nc9CLOZSTSCyHK5fsuw3s/s1600-h/sargentmacbeth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189169041176476994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTacbqSN2hMEcu33TQYjskHx9hw2im3k-1TvMLWPmioZOhYK23ewI114InhYK_Y8_omY_p1dEmpt26Hu8DdBK7r73LVB3l6XMo-q7zNXQeUOeQ9-ihoS0L_Nc9CLOZSTSCyHK5fsuw3s/s320/sargentmacbeth.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/chrissandy1/caladymacbeth.htm">Lady Macbeth </a>is one of the most well known Shakespearian villains alongside Iago from <em>Othello. </em>So what does make her a devious character?<br /><br /><div>For one thing, she puts her husband, Macbeth, to murder the king in order for him to take the throne. Macbeth by nature is not a cruel person by heart but he does not possess the power, ego and wickedness that Lady Macbeth possesses. Add to the act that they are in love with each other and you can see how Lady Macbeth can see anyone as a potential tool, even her own husband.</div><br /><div></div><div>She makes her intentions clear from the beginning:</div><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong><em>"...Come you spirits, </em></strong></div><div><strong><em>That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood;</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>Stop up th' access and passage to remorse,</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>That no compunctious visitings of nature</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Th' effect and it. Come to my woman's breasts</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Whereever in your sightless substances</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>To cry 'Hold, hold.'"</em></strong></div><br /><div>Part of her speech reflects that Lady Macbeth is fully aware of a woman admists a patriarchial warrior society. Part of the reason she does not seek to kill Duncan herself is society's fault, for Lady Macbeth was simply not trained to effectively kill another person. She uses her sharp wit and potential of love to goad Macbeth to committing the deed that would doom him to the end of the play. Lady Macbeth also uses the blood stained daggers that were in Macbeth's possession to frame the guards responsible for protecting King Duncan's life.</div><div></div><div>Does that mean she is a one-dimensional monster? Lady Macbeth gives off a very good appearance of being a cold, calculating creature with her ability to use a power to goad others into what she desires. She craves power far more than what Macbeth originally wanted and she infects hm with that hunger to rule and to kill without opposition. But like her husband Macbeth, she possesses a mortal conscience. With the deaths mounting, the new "Queen" of Scotland goes mad:</div><br /><div><strong><em>"Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One-two - why then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?"</em></strong></div><div></div><div>It can be assumed that Lady Macbeth's madness is attributed to guilt, that she helped the deaths of important people within the play. Macbeth was a reluctant murderer but Lady Macbeth thought that she was a born murderess but was proven gravely mistaken. If we are to see her cries as guilt, we can see that Lady Macbeth is a potential murderer but not a sociopath.</div><br /><div>Lady Macbeth like other Shakespeare's characters have made their mark on popular culture. The recent addition of her liking is the historical novel <em><a href="http://www.susanfraserking.com/excerpts.htm">Lady Macbeth</a> </em>by Susan Fraser King. <a href="http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/2008/02/lady-macbeth-in.html">It is </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3icp0GzerJpke4Hsj8DjmDjXjq_kLIri15lLGzJauVvlYnIfLoXmWRd_d01y4wOL75PVwEgMgAPYmUh-en7F14WRzU_Pu9sBlZ_NLPqgShFMJ8fkh0oOwxo3ZPwhQYLdOg7oSr2qxMk/s1600-h/LadyMacbethRev200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189179147234524514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3icp0GzerJpke4Hsj8DjmDjXjq_kLIri15lLGzJauVvlYnIfLoXmWRd_d01y4wOL75PVwEgMgAPYmUh-en7F14WRzU_Pu9sBlZ_NLPqgShFMJ8fkh0oOwxo3ZPwhQYLdOg7oSr2qxMk/s320/LadyMacbethRev200.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/2008/02/lady-macbeth-in.html">a new take on the classic villainess set in the role as the protagonist. </a></div><br /><div></div><div>Yes, Lady Macbeth is someone you would not want to confront at a conference table but she turned out to be one of my favorite characters in Shakespeare's world. Why she is a favorite is possibly for the wrong reasons. She is powerful, able to seduce at a subtle level and is memorable. There are many people in real life, male and female, who have a mixture of power, seduction and vicious wit. Those all make a dangerous combination. </div><div></div><div>- Kristopher</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-87437346926480802822008-04-11T09:50:00.003-05:002008-04-12T22:46:32.707-05:00Linda and Kris Read from Much Ado about Nothing<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyW_3FCY45RTa5oHyIC9EeQ9NAmOwkPFFM9Icy1tye2AwN977YbQTbwTF9Jc6N8N5Qo-_obk_xYo2OXd9MU4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>After quite some time, our video has made a premiere on "Much Ado About Nothing and Everything Else Shakespearean!" Linda and I have been working with the reading for quite some time but the actual "acting" came in a few days before this video was shot. </p><p>The scene that we are going over in the video from <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>takes place at the end of Act 4, Scene 1. I know I'll be going over that part in the video so I won't repeat too much with the introduction of the video itself. </p><p>I would really like to compliment Linda for her part in the video, delivering the lines with genuine authenticity as Beatrice would react to Benedick's truth of loving her. </p><p>As for me, I felt I was pretty much a "nerdy" Benedick. But then again, Benedick had never encountered a strong willed and sharp tongued lady like Beatrice so reluctance on my part in saying some lines hopefully had some punch for the humor's sake. Even when things were doom ridden towards the end of <em>Much Ado About Nothing, </em>Shakespeare appeared to keep the tone light. But the tone wholly depends on how the director and actors manage it. </p><p>In the end, I am proud to have this video presented on the blog. Can't wait to see what other people were scheming with their performances!</p><p>- Kristopher</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-419731014074434792008-04-08T08:21:00.005-05:002008-04-08T08:52:56.408-05:00Ah, betrayal...<em>King Lear </em>is about backstabbing and placing the wrong trust into the wrong people. Two characters are guilty of this among others, for they are the fathers of the "villains" in the play. <div></div><div></div><div></div><div>To start, Lear himself asks his love from his two eldest daughters, Gonoreil and Regan. Both are equally vicious and conniving, equally vying for the attention of the Earl of Gloucester's son, Edmund. Lear's downfall is that he is used to so much power, that he would demand the same great amount of respect. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Gloucester suffers more of less of the same fate than the ill-fated title character. Rather than placing his love into his legitimate son, Edgar, he gives it to his iligitimate son Edmund who offers<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186865514186351794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="189" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YK6WtpZmOVPVxwaZ251iv4HBvD7W0H0xUqHbw-2DnegSdoTl5lmTUityP5xCeIHszzS4-xUsDdjztT5NUhA8FqueM41a7L6AJVz-0qIF14Suw-d3jKfPcLVlCpcNkhJloOz1IvEBMCY/s200/GloucesterLear.jpg" width="229" border="0" /> him no love in return. So how is Gloucester awarded for his affections? He has his eyes gouged out, blinded literally as Lear is blinded metaphorically on how his daughters are nothing but two-faced wolves in sheep's clothing.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>It is a sad fact that Lear and Gloucester are representatives of parents who place their faith on the "wrong" children, the children with the potential of betraying them. You have Cordelia, who is the one who truly loves her father but he keeps pushing her away. Gloucester is not appreciative of his son Edgar, who shows more valor than what Edmund was ever capable of. It is no wonder that both fathers are kicked out of their own establishment.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>- Kristopher</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-7947533037437254882008-04-04T11:56:00.008-05:002008-04-05T19:56:00.139-05:00More Shakespearean Comics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tYudLJYTJgobxELjW6VO23eRfd4VP_1yedtxgR9fmYA-pfsMxQUyYP2bW_PbjFrZwefbm7juR1UGqJBfklN12CDtFhwbquT1nKNhQNmR4-pW7DnMCcybHSywU7jy3btbPUXIBvEvZA0/s1600-h/FinalMacbethCover_Quick.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185438519892190370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tYudLJYTJgobxELjW6VO23eRfd4VP_1yedtxgR9fmYA-pfsMxQUyYP2bW_PbjFrZwefbm7juR1UGqJBfklN12CDtFhwbquT1nKNhQNmR4-pW7DnMCcybHSywU7jy3btbPUXIBvEvZA0/s320/FinalMacbethCover_Quick.jpg" border="0" /></a> Shakespeare will never escape from other media such as films, so it makes sense he will not escape the Western comic book world too. <a href="http://www.classicalcomics.com/">Classical Comics </a>offers Shakespeare's works such as <em>Macbeth </em>and <em>King Henry V </em>in graphic novel form. Just click on the hyperlinked text in this post and see! <div><div><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>- Kristopher</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-49848518711585618532008-04-02T19:29:00.013-05:002008-04-16T09:28:50.036-05:00Manga Shakespeare<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt30DxQsv2F9OHWV7xT8wwwyr08Y8jdyuCpYJEoDJFECBJjtmDfQxcIAKu8hDEuKwfQtCagM8bNHt7IK0a2HjimSJ2IffH-fqT1zFzo7pUagwCuP43MckK7a00eN4aLWu2So8j-9Vdk0k/s1600-h/mangahamlet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184813374517355570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="249" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt30DxQsv2F9OHWV7xT8wwwyr08Y8jdyuCpYJEoDJFECBJjtmDfQxcIAKu8hDEuKwfQtCagM8bNHt7IK0a2HjimSJ2IffH-fqT1zFzo7pUagwCuP43MckK7a00eN4aLWu2So8j-9Vdk0k/s320/mangahamlet.jpg" width="231" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>First off, I am a huge fan of the Japanese <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga">manga,</a> </em>or "comic," medium. There are numerous series that I am fond of, most of which do not directly reference Shakespeare. So that is a different subject entirely!<br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://www.selfmadehero.com/manga_shakespeare/index.html">Manga Shakespeare </a>is a line of comics from artists in the United Kingdom. Titles such as<em> Hamlet </em>and<em> Romeo and Juliet </em>have been adapted into the manga medium. Of course, they are not <em>direct</em> adaptations, as the artists take liberty to setting the familiar storylines in modern-and futuristic-situations where the original dialogue is still present.</div><br /><div>For example, Manga Shakespeare's <em>Romeo and Juliet </em>takes in the Shibuya District in Tokyo, focusing on two rival Yakuza families. Romeo is a rock star and still of the Montague clan, while Juliet remains a Capulet. The mangatized <em>Hamlet </em>takes place in the year 2017, where global <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfERn-swjg3Xvf7EoPEZ4Bgh77w4PGEP73S4yaHsKYQGTvAesFpfeBTJQXFrzg-xBgoJ9oXmu9gauK2CD988UPXHENUtzoztn5Nbfwa-KCxlalUOnb0Z1d_X2kf_fPYXwnVL7deAhE71s/s1600-h/romeo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184813511956309058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="282" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfERn-swjg3Xvf7EoPEZ4Bgh77w4PGEP73S4yaHsKYQGTvAesFpfeBTJQXFrzg-xBgoJ9oXmu9gauK2CD988UPXHENUtzoztn5Nbfwa-KCxlalUOnb0Z1d_X2kf_fPYXwnVL7deAhE71s/s320/romeo.jpg" width="256" border="0" /></a>warming has thrown the world into chaos but the story taken from the Shakespeare classic remains the same. </div><br /><div>The "Manga Shakespeare" series is done by different artists but the written material is undeniably Shakespeare. Personally, I think this was a daring new approach to look into the world of Shakespeare. The art work for the comics themselves is not shabby either! </div><br /><div></div><div>Below is a sample image, so click for a closer view:</div><br /><div><em></em></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlfp8r_S1QnlflIxyTZndMS8I1XUGQ2zkm5AbUAXIfKSTdtxJk4j9B-ciV5D_b1bYuMCU0p6OR6XDNQaJETdMNqsrq7pMgb4TEsfxleRHQZkT_ln5oXzO8SVL86dlVeVWrxXSULGt_PY/s1600-h/page131.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184815461871461458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" height="268" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlfp8r_S1QnlflIxyTZndMS8I1XUGQ2zkm5AbUAXIfKSTdtxJk4j9B-ciV5D_b1bYuMCU0p6OR6XDNQaJETdMNqsrq7pMgb4TEsfxleRHQZkT_ln5oXzO8SVL86dlVeVWrxXSULGt_PY/s320/page131.jpg" width="167" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>- Kristopher</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-49266152437947767472008-03-31T10:18:00.004-05:002008-04-16T09:29:49.444-05:00Themes of Witchcraft and Mythology in ShakespeareIn Shakespeare class, Dr. Clemente pointed out comparisons between the play we are currently reading in class, <em>King Lear, </em>and the Three Weird Sisters from <em>Macbeth. </em>The reason this was brought up was the mentioning of <a href="http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/greek_goddess_hecate.htm">Hecate,</a> who in Greek mythology was the patron of witchcraft. <em>King Lear </em>takes place before Christianity touched England so her inclusion would not be out of place.<br /><br />Lear himself mentions her:<br /><br />"Well, let it be so. Thy truth then be thy dower,<br />For by the sacred radiance of the sun,<br />The mysteries of <strong>Hecate </strong>and the night,<br />By all the operation of the orbs,<br />From whome we do exist and cease to be,<br />Here I disclaim all my paternal care,<br />Prpinquity, and property of blood,<br />And as a stranger to my heart and me<br />Hold thee from this forever. The barbarous Scythian,<br />Or he that makes his generation<br />Messes to gorge his appetite, shall be<br />As well neighbored, pitied, and relieved<br />As thou my sometime daughter."<br /><br />This also illustrates Lear's optimism and idealistic nature, which will most likely be his downfall concerning the management of his three daughters Cordelia, Goneril and Regan. He is a man who wants good things to happen but fails to see the darkness envelop around him.<br /><br />Part of the reason of why I am growing to like Shakespeare more than I used to is his use of references and themes from mythology and legend. <em>King Lear </em>itself <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leir_of_Britain">is an old folktale derived from ancient times. </a><em>A Midsummer Night's Dream </em>makes liberal use of Greek mythology, and other plays make good use of key figures in mythology to make important points in their dialogue.<br /><br />The amazing thing about Shakespeare's works is that the author unwittingly created his own mythology, his legend, that allowed characters from different plays to leap into films and other mediums that are not directly associated with Shakespeare. Puck for instance is a regular recurring character in the classic cartoon <a href="http://www.dracandros.com/Jebgarg/tge/puck.htm"><em>Gargoyles</em></a><em> </em>and other characters like Titania make their appearance in the show. Other writers' characters have been "borrowed" for storylines and Shakespeare is no exception.<br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-33328258399599303802008-03-25T13:34:00.006-05:002008-03-25T15:21:16.791-05:00Shakespeare Parodies Part 3<em>Hamlet</em> (and yes, I have stressed this before) is the most oft-parodied play that I have found among others on television, movies, comics, etc. Here is more <em>Hamlet </em>hilarity with these videos.<br /><br />This video, "Hamlet: Prince of YouTube," features a guy using the "To be or not to be" speech as a base to make fun of the woes of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube.<br /></a><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LzHjIj3fpR8&hl=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br />This video below is taken from the animated series <em>Animaniacs. </em>This cartoon parodies the scene where the skull of Yorick is dug up, with Dot translating what is being said into sarcastic, modern English.<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/07ej4zNlhpU&hl=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-7069818093561283582008-03-19T15:52:00.013-05:002008-03-26T13:40:38.940-05:00Hamlet - An Intriguing and Troubled Protagonist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8Nomd8uKHW9XD2QHJi2A6YBJNW8uiQ4yYqrNQrjvr64cOHSIOZUPMW3Bv9UB_bU8KrgfYJFhU0U-xsv3yxH1is42sFgs-mA83ZS0Wx4FkWYg-P3leYTvI18-HyNn6bfjbyWA0di0FXU/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179565293848830962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="251" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8Nomd8uKHW9XD2QHJi2A6YBJNW8uiQ4yYqrNQrjvr64cOHSIOZUPMW3Bv9UB_bU8KrgfYJFhU0U-xsv3yxH1is42sFgs-mA83ZS0Wx4FkWYg-P3leYTvI18-HyNn6bfjbyWA0di0FXU/s320/untitled.bmp" width="234" border="0" /></a> <em><a href="http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/">Hamlet</a></em> is considered to be one of Shakespeare's most memorable and iconic plays. It is also the play that the title character is as strong as the story itself, for the audience watches his many layers displayed when he puts on his "madness" front and the tortured soul when everyone's attention is not focused on him. <div><br /><div>Hamlet's appeal over the centuries is clear. We can all relate to Hamlet in his angst and unaccepting nature that his mother had been married to his uncle in such a short time. His thirst for vengeance throughout the play is also intriguing, in both character analysis and the story itself. Hamlet serves as a tragic example of how a young and brilliant man can destroy himself in the quest for revenge, as he pulls down many people along the way. </div><br /><div>The most notable individual is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophelia_(character)">Ophelia, </a>who loved Hamlet from the very start. But Polonius and Laertes opposed this kind of relationship, which serves to drive Ophelia over the edge. Hamlet denies his love for her, driving Ophelia closer to the brink, especially how she should "be sent to a nunnery." It is the death of Polonius by Hamlet's hand that does her in. She drowns herself in a brook, a testament to how high the cost of revenge is.</div><br /><div>Even to those who do not know Shakespeare, the image of Hamlet holding up a human skull is a popular image with the Bard. The skull that Hamlet holds belonged to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorick#_note-0">Yorick,</a> a jester from Hamlet's childhood. Some people think Shakespeare wanted Elizabethan audiences to connect Yorick with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Tarlton">Richard Tarlton, </a>who was famous prior to Shakespeare and was dead by the time Yorick was mentioned.</div><br /><div>The Prince of Denmark has been portrayed by many people. <a href="http://www.laurenceolivier.com/">Laurence Olivier </a>is one famous <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzPzKnF7mNeGqtG2wni_Kk2ifUVQDJtrZH8uNCtwk2hLlLx_jeqDvaa4IHrNrEWxUSbfxtaK-NzxOSdvDiI3MClyQswVkqRRXW4sbOr_v8hiVPNne1LztLa-8z1CdumCNrTKNImPjtXU/s1600-h/hamlet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179567016130716674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzPzKnF7mNeGqtG2wni_Kk2ifUVQDJtrZH8uNCtwk2hLlLx_jeqDvaa4IHrNrEWxUSbfxtaK-NzxOSdvDiI3MClyQswVkqRRXW4sbOr_v8hiVPNne1LztLa-8z1CdumCNrTKNImPjtXU/s200/hamlet.jpg" border="0" /></a>example in the British 1948 production of <em>Hamlet. </em>In most recent years, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000154/">Mel Gibson </a>and <a href="http://www.branaghcompendium.com/index2.html">Kenneth Branagh </a>have also played their hand as the title character. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Franco Zefirelli's 1990 <em>Hamlet </em>with Gibson is pretty much an action flick with most of the dialogue left out. I saw this version quite a while ago with "Lethal Hamlet" intense and brawny. Branagh's 1996 version, which I have not seen, is four hours long with all dialogue included. <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1097245-hamlet/">A 2000 version</a> featuring Ethan Hawke as the brooding Hamlet was released in the style of <em>Romeo + Juliet,</em> in that it takes place in a modern setting. </div><div></div><div>Also famous is Hamlet's <a href="http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/385300.html">"To be, or not to be"</a> speech. Those who have read into the play understand it is the Prince of Denmark's contemplation of suicide. This speech has been used many times and it also has been spoofed several times. </div><br /><div>This video below comes from 1996's <em>Hamlet, </em>with Branagh as Hamlet uttering the famous soliloquy.</div><br /><div>- Kristopher</div><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-JD6gOrARk4&hl=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-83459154818816632012008-03-18T08:23:00.003-05:002008-03-18T09:26:41.730-05:00Shakespeare - A Hidden Catholic?During the reign of Elizabeth I, Catholics were not given an easy rest. <a href="http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/religion-elizabethan-england.htm">During the Elizabethan period, it was easy to be prosecuted for the religion being practiced other than the main Protestant faith that Elizabeth decreed.</a><br /><br />So how can we tell if Shakespeare was a Catholic or not? The play <em>Hamlet </em>depicts the slain king suffering in <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12575a.htm">purgatory,</a> who tells Hamlet to avenge his death. Purgatory was a Catholic concept, with a soul being trapped in the region between heaven and hell, unable to go to heaven especially for "venial faults." Another example would be in <em><a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/richardii/">Richard II,</a> </em>where on the stage the king confesses to use prayer with beads, another form of worship that met with hostility in England. <a href="http://www.oread.ku.edu/Oread00/OreadJuly14/shakespeare.html">Both forms of evidence were the basis of a retired Lawrence high school teacher turned KU graduate who looked into Shakespeare's faith.</a><br /><br />Although there is a great possibility and speculation that Shakespeare was Catholic, the idea is not concrete. Not much is known about his life, for few records exist that depict how he lived. Shakespeare regardless wrote plays that are quite ambigous in nature so it would not have mattered to a Protestant, Catholic or a person of any other faith if they enjoyed the play. Shakespeare has not preached strong values in his time, he was only interested in creating entertaining dramas which persist to this day.<br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-10446387300639415042008-03-15T10:21:00.003-05:002008-03-17T10:21:39.196-05:00Trickery, Again!<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" unselectable="on" width="100%"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off"><p>After reading the beginning few pages of <em>King Henry the Fourth, Part 1</em> several times to get a good idea of who was who, I was happy to find in the following pages of the play a little humor. I have to admit, this Shakespeare play frightened me a little. I was expecting complete <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">boredom</span>,</strong> as I read it, and I had a hard time understanding who all of the characters were, at first. As I read on, King Henry's son, Harry, proved to be my link to "appreciation." </p><p>Although <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><strong>Falstaff </strong></span>seemed to me to be a cumbersome clown at times, it was Harry who instigated and carried out numerous tricks on the poor fellow, which I enjoyed, immensely. Harry's and his sidekicks' stealing money from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><strong>Falstaff</strong></span> as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><strong>Falstaff</strong></span> himself had just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><strong>stolen</strong></span> it was fun reading. My first impression of Harry was a little "off" as well, thinking him somewhat a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><strong>cruel</strong></span> young man, but realizing later he was a kid at heart and had quite a fondness, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">in fact</span>, for Falstaff. </p><p>And, Shakespeare tricked me on this one, which was perhaps his intention for all of his readers. His combination of many human elements-love, hate, betrayal, trickery, and especially humor-in most of his plays make his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><strong>genius</strong></span> exude and his humanity evident. .....Linda<br /></p></td></tr><tr unselectable="on" hb_tag="1"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-69898064906580152682008-03-11T09:21:00.004-05:002008-03-12T19:53:45.737-05:00Shakespeare Fan FictionWilliam Shakespeare is not even safe from the fan fiction craze. I'm guilty of having written this type of fiction a long time ago as a teenager, scribing mostly parodies of existing series of various media.<br /><br />I cannot say fanfiction should be abhored, but sometimes it can get horrid to the point that it makes for a good laugh.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/book/Shakespeare/">This site includes a large list Shakespeare fan fiction.</a><br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-85916579188914562402008-03-09T18:55:00.010-05:002008-03-11T09:49:51.252-05:00Much Ado about Nothing - Kristopher's ReactionIn all honesty, I did not suspect that <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>would become one of my favorite Shakespearian plays. I'd like to thank my partner Linda who did a small analysis of some of the play's themes earlier, in the post "Nothing Like a Friend..."<br /><br />I have been meaning to post my feelings about the play itself, with all the character explanations I have been throwing onto the blog. At first, I was cynical about enjoying the play. I have read Shakespeare's tragedies <em>Macbeth </em>and <em>Hamlet</em>, which gave me the impression that a comedy about two pairs of lovers dealing with court issues would seem meager in comparison to Macbeth's pressure into power and Hamlet's struggle with revenge. Between a serious piece and a funny one, I would usually opt for the more serious piece with death, despair and an ending where love does not conquer all.<br /><br />In the area of real life romance, I could not stand a chance. The big question was of how I was going to relate to a bunch of people in court struggling with their feelings without the fantasy setting of <em>A Midsummer Night's Dream.</em><br /><br />But with <em>Much Ado About Nothing, </em>that cynicism melted away. There is very funny wordplay involved, and I know I offered a few snippets of dialogue throughout the blog. From Benedick and Beatrice's fencing with words to Dogberry's malapropisms, <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>hardly gets dull. Even for other people who have had little or no experience with relationships will still enjoy this Shakespearian classic.<br /><br />I got into the tepid arguements between Benedick and Beatrice. Those two were made for one another in that they can lash out with whatever sharp comments they can come up with and rebound. All right, so Beatrice usually wins the fights but the point is, the romantic tension between ladies' man Benedick and witty, strong willed Beatrice was captivating and kept the play moving forward.<br /><br />I imagine all guys would want to be Benedick; confident, swaggering and able to duel with words. This does not make Claudio and Hero shadows of Benedick and Beatrice. They are the couple who are not gifted with any "special" abilities to set things straight. They are the couple we can relate to in that there are people and things that control them. The overall point is that we can all relate to and pity Claudio and Hero in one way or another.<br /><br />Claudio is the very opposite of Benedick, for he is no Casanova. He is a fairly gullible character, being fooled by Don John's "claim" that Hero was permiscous. Combined with his insecurities, the forces of love's difficulty make Claudio frustrated, assuming that Hero is unchaste. Hero herself matches well with Claudio because there are strong forces of love outside of her hands as well. She is forced to stay strong, not usually boisterous as Beatrice, and is "resurrected" as a stronger person after Don John and company get their vicious due.<br /><br />Still, between the "Favorite Couples" area, Benedick and Beatrice still win for me for the sake of their entertainment value. Okay, so they can be a fun couple to watch, but I imagine both of them in real life would be a bother to deal with. There are many real life equivalents of Benedick who are obnoxious. Obnoxiousness is funny in the play but would be a chore in real life to deal with. And I really like Beatrice but she would be a difficult person for me to get to know in real life, even on a friendly basis. She aims her vicious words at almost <em>everybody </em>involved.<br /><br />The sad thing about <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em> is that it is possibly underrated. I can find plenty of critical essays and articles, but many people do not go out of their way to express their love for the play. I have looked all around to find only a few good parody clips, some footage from the film adaptation and stage performance footage.<br /><br />So maybe I am exaggerating, as there are some solid clips, just not enough good "tributes." Plays like <em>Hamlet</em> get their justice with <em>Star Wars </em>themed spoofs, and even <em>King Lear </em>was parodied using themes from <em>The Office. </em>But <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>almost gets zilched.<br /><br />Overall, this is a play to enjoy its characters struggling with romance, as all of us can relate to folks who just cannot grasp love so easily.<br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-2337653359399252932008-03-03T15:13:00.008-06:002008-03-03T19:40:33.266-06:00Shakespeare Parodies Part 2Last time I made this type of post, most of the parodies involved the play <em>Hamlet</em>. This will probably prove true to this post, since <em>Hamlet </em>is highly spoofed.<br /><br />I have said before that looking for decent parodies of <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>was as hard as finding a contact lense in an ocean. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=%22425%22%20height=%22355%22%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/GNDBIW_EGv4%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22wmode%22%20value=%22transparent%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/GNDBIW_EGv4%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20wmode=%22transparent%22%20width=%22425%22%20height=%22355%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E">Click this link to not only find an example of "bad" Shakespeare, but an example of "minimalist" Shakespeare.</a><br /><br />A more promising spoof took place alongside the <em>Star Wars </em>universe. Will Shakespeare with lightsabers get boring? Probably not. Are they usually funny together? Most likely. Below is a cartoon made by 11th grade English students. The lack of animation makes this cleverly written video funnier.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GNDBIW_EGv4"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GNDBIW_EGv4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />The other video belows is an example of "convoluted" Shakespeare. You have the plot and dialogue of <em>Much Ado About Nothing </em>coupled with <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail. </em><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7T9XCOQ9ybM"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7T9XCOQ9ybM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />I have looked at the results for "Favorite Shakespearian Character Part 2." I'm quite disappointed to see the lack of results. To confess, I was the one who put a vote in for Hamlet.<br /><br />With the new poll however, it appears that Beatrice is in the lead! I am guilty as charged in the fact that I help her rise in the poll. However, I noticed a surge of blog activity so the pace should go up fairly soon.<br /><br />- KristopherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491126210283935737.post-17656153706977354672008-03-03T13:47:00.017-06:002008-03-12T10:02:24.717-05:00Much Ado About Falstaff<a href="http://dsc.dixie.edu/shakespeare/falstess.htm">Sir John Falstaff </a>is everyone's favorite slacker, glutton, sleaze, big mouth, pervert, do-nothing, idiot, coward and Shakespearian character. He would be the equivalent of the "dumb best buddy," the bloke convincing you to do just about anything stupid such as flinging toilet paper on the neighbor's house. <div></div><div></div><div>Despite being a knight, Falstaff displays the chivalry of a drunken tavern patron. Rather than indulging in good deeds, the fat knight "lives" to his fullest. He drinks, he lechers, he overeats and manipulates Hal into performing asinine activities. Falstaff appears to bring out Hal's worse side, the childish side that King Henry IV despises. This could be Shakespeare's way of showing Hal's irresponsible, reluctant side through Falstaff himself. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173614632905027186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="219" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICJjFSH5TisE-RDRoqR2elO6z2SXsINwwY6rjLpCNm8Tw_YUdu6J7fILf4FM_tflOniJ1OSypB-lsE4E2J_uv5XQifO0vhJeXmG8KFkz5tgT5owHt1PV8TQbW1scdm7_r4EJODq3_iuw/s320/falstaff-2002a.jpg" width="279" border="0" /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Hotspur, Hal's polar opposite, would be raging with a blade about Falstaff's statement of honor. According to Falstaff, honor is valuable as plain dirt: </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>“Can honour set to a leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound? No. . . . What is honour?”</strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>If Falstaff is such a loser, why does he endure throughout the years as one of the most memorable Shakespeare characters of all time? </div><div></div><div></div><div>Sure, <em>being </em>with the obese knight may not be fun. But <em>watching </em>Falstaff hearing his outrageous speeches is a treat to behold. Like Shylock, Falstaff escape's Shakespeare's pen, almost taking reign of <em>King Henry IV</em> and the attention of the struggling protagonist, Prince Hal. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Interestingly enough, Falstaff was inspired by an English soldier named <a href="http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Sir_John_Fastolf">John Fastolf, </a>who is described of bragging and being a coward. It was enough to inspire Falstaff as a rotund loudmouth.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>If Falstaff had a large appetite of being on stage, he would practically be a large bowling ball with the attention fed to him. Several actors have claimed to have fun portraying the fat knight. </div><div> </div><div>One <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLQDS8qhQn5UPDIhcICvB0EeCSxVXcO93oyFokSmxZab_CP6OZgW59WpzNdgLCjHRq9H2cAMllb0VFZCLyNG3fOywZryOssHwX5WGwu3AabjFGkCqHu17BXAyvcXf0Qo8jB6RrL3O-5k/s1600-h/chimes4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173608723030027874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLQDS8qhQn5UPDIhcICvB0EeCSxVXcO93oyFokSmxZab_CP6OZgW59WpzNdgLCjHRq9H2cAMllb0VFZCLyNG3fOywZryOssHwX5WGwu3AabjFGkCqHu17BXAyvcXf0Qo8jB6RrL3O-5k/s320/chimes4.jpg" border="0" /></a>prime example would be <a href="http://hollowaypages.com/welles.htm">Orson Welles,</a> whose immortality was acquired through the classic movie <em>Citizen Kane</em>. Welles has worked with Shakespeare's other plays such as <em>Macbeth</em> and <em>Twelth Night. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><div></div><div>Falstaff is memorable in that his type of persona would exist today. He would represent all the vices we all get into. In a way, as we laugh at Falstaff, we laugh at ourselves.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>- Kristopher</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0