The amazing thing about Shakespeare (plays, poetry, whatever) is that everyone can take a little something of it. It's malleable enough to come across to stuffy academics, bawdy enough to laugh at, passionate enough for romantics and intricate enough for obsessives.
The man (and I do believe in the man) was a gifted, ambitious, tricky bastard who knew how to use his skills to get ahead in a world that was moving pretty fast.
The only thing I hate about his works is that a lot of English teachers try to introduce kids to the really boring stuff because they worry about the SEX or the murder. I had read Twelth Night several times but until I saw it performed, live, by some really talented people, I had no idea it was so much FUN. It was an epiphany for me.
I've studied him and his works extensively, but I don't look down on someone who's only read one or two sonnets and loves them for whatever they get out of them (even if it's not technicallly the correct interpretation).
Not me!
Heh. I figured that. I was thinking of a particular high school English teacher at my high school--but not one that I had. She insisted on starting freshmen off with Julius Ceasar. SNOOOORE.
My 8th grade teacher started us with The Tempest.
The only thing I hate about his works is that a lot of English teachers try to introduce kids to the really boring stuff because they worry about the SEX or the murder.
Huh -- all of my English teachers brought up the sex and murder as selling points! I think they figured teenagers are more likely to do the required reading if you tell them it's dirty in advance.
Huh.
I just found--buttoned into one of my cargo pants' pockets--a small, orange rubber ball.
I have never seen it before and have no idea how it ended up in my pants. Is this a new ING marketing ploy?
Yes, Nora, I'm looking at you.
I have never seen it before and have no idea how it ended up in my pants. Is this a new ING marketing ploy?
Yes, Nora, I'm looking at you.
Heeeeeeeeee.
Of course, the rubber ball makes me think of
The Prestige.
I found an $1100 check in the recycling bin a few days ago. Luckily, it was mine.
Cash, do you have any suggestions for a good "First Shakespeare", especially for 4-6th graders?
eta: or anyone else.
Shaw also thought that sex was icky, and that in the future we'd evolve into perfect beings that wouln't have sex.
Snerk
We got R&J as freshmen in high school, then Julius Caesar as sophomores. Then the wimps went to Mrs. Berryhill for average English class and the ones who thought themselves smart took on Mr. Berryhill, who xeroxed off his own supply of detention slips and had no problem in telling his students they were idiots. His reputation was well known, and you had to request his class. Damn, I loved the man. Hamlet, Macbeth, Merchant of Venice--all read aloud and debated. Plus he made us read The Hobbit.
Yes, Nora, I'm looking at you.
Guess again.
especially for 4-6th graders?
Midsummer's Night's Dream? It's fairly light but might be too obscure.
