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Shakespeare In a Year
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I'm very interested in the processes or plan of attack you have...
i think we will be starting richard 3 in three weeks approximately...if that suits ya...
The good point about this year-long program is that newbies will gain some familiarity and veterans will re-establish ties with the playwright. The play a week or so differs from the approach of Shakespeare Fans, which digs deep when possible. From a personal viewpoint the history plays are full of bravado and of kings in succession but the later comedies have more nuggets of wit and magic as well as psychological complexity. Other people may prefer the plots and intrigue of the former. In summary the thirty-eight plays a year is an exciting adventure.
Ashley wrote: "Thanks, Asmah! I hope you'll join me!"I'm already working on it! This suggestion to tackle all Shakespeare's works in one year is fantastic. The huge Riverside second edition is just the source. Thanks.
Asmah wrote: "The huge Riverside second edition is just the source..."Beware: Been reading the Henry 6 plays mainly from a complete works (the RSC one)...INVEST IN A LUMBAR SUPPORT BELT!
On the plus side if you avoid the lower back pain you will end up with forearms like Popeye and good abs.
Old-Barbarossa wrote: "Beware: Been reading the Henry 6 plays mainly from a complete works (the RSC one)...INVEST IN A LUMBAR SUPPORT BELT!On th..."
The RSC weighs a ton and the Riverside a couple tons. Your comment by the way is no exaggeration. The bright side for me is that their pages have escaped the creeping brown edges and condensed print of my 1972 complete Shakespeare, bought that long ago for $1.98.
I know this post hasn't been updated in almost 2 years, but I just wanted to comment because I am doing the same thing this year; trying to read all the shakespeare plays in 2012. I'm not sure if I will be able to do it; at my current rate I think I may need to go into 2013 by a month or two, but hopefully I can finish.
Erin, if you want to share the experience, I for one would be interested in reading what you have to say.
I have found my plan very rewarding and enjoyable: one Shakespeare play every month, in chronological order. This gives me plenty of time to read other stuff too.I started in May of 2009, and I'm almost done--I just finished "Cymbeline"--and I'm glad I've taken the time to savor each play.
Bill, I've forgotten the chronological order of the later comedies - do tell me if you've read the one I am so fascinated by, 'All's Well That End's Well' and what you thought...I'm half way through watching 'A Comedy of Errors' (BBC version) at the moment. Poor Martin has been lending me them, and I take forever watching them.I'm ashamed to say I haven't read all the plays, but I shall find time, Cassius.
Hello, Bill, thanks for replying!Interesting review, Bill. You raise unusual points about meta comedy, that was interesting.
I'm quite unusual, in that I really love the play, so no bad taste in the mouth for me. I wonder if this is because it's the women being the aggressive partner in the relationship?!
I go along with Tillyard's analysis of the characters in taking the view that Shakespeare meant it to be a genuine happy ending, Bertram being so inarticulate (except when talking artificial nonsense to Diana when trying to seduce her) that 'Both, both, o pardon' is the best he can manage by way of apology and love declaration.
I want to read 'Corialanus' next, which I will order from the library...But first, can I finish 'Much Ado' this evening [family kept me of the DVD player for weeks}.
I'll try "All's Well" again someday. I've only read it twice, and perhaps I should try again. I DO love "Measure for Measure," as I said, and many people have problems with it as well.I don't think its the woman as aggressive partner that bothers me, though . . . it's must that Bertram is so damn dumb that her love seems folly from the start.
I'm a big "Coriolanus" fan. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it.
Bill wrote: "I'll try "All's Well" again someday. I've only read it twice, and perhaps I should try again. I DO love "Measure for Measure," as I said, and many people have problems with it as well.I don't t..."
Yes, Bertram is inadmirable. I read in some book called 'Shakespeare the Thinker' that in fact Shakespeare seems to have had a soft spot for these young rather nasty 'heroes', unworthy of the women who court them, that Bassiano is 'a common fortune hunter' and Claudio behaves contemptibly in chosing to expose Hero publicly, and Bertram too in being led by Parolles and publicly humiliating Helena too, and then sneaking off and trying to seduce a virgin, while the critic dubs Posthumous' intention to kill Imogen 'disgusting'. It was very interesting.
'Measure for Measure' is fascinating, too. It never seems to occur to the Duke that Isabella will object to his calm announcement that he will marry her. then there's Angelo, another of those erring young men who is loved anyway. I think I must have a sentimental streak; I like it when they see the error of their ways.
Hopefully, Martin may lend me 'Corialanus' next and I intend to read it too.
I have trouble with "Much Ado" too, just because I hate Claudio so much. But Beatrice and Benedict make up for it.Have you read "Two Gentlemen of Verona"? It's got a self-absorbed noble jerk in it too.
The Duke in "M for M" I like though--I think he's kind of a geeky do-gooder, naive as only a rich powerful man can be, but a sweetheart at bottom. Angelo I see as thoroughly unpleasant and probably middle-aged, but duty-bound to do right by his mistress--the hypocrite!
I think, though, that a good actor can make these noble jerks work--somebody who can show us a defensive, insecure young man fighting against his own best nature.
Bill: I love 'Two Gentleman', despite that awful bit when Valentine offers Silvia to Proteus. I liked the BBC version. I must have a sentimental streak, I always see these erring scoundrels as being genuinely sorry - the dreadful Angelo included. Maybe in pre Freudian times he made an elementary mistake about the strength of what he would see as the Devil in him? Claudio comes across as weak You are so right about the actors - Ian Charleton in the BBC version of 'All's Well' was very convincing, both as cad and in repentance.
Martin,I've sent back Much Ado and written review on here . Thanks so much.
Erin: Sorry, rude of me, I didn't say hello.
Hi Jessica :-). Well, I haven't read "All's Well That Ends Well" yet, now i'm getting excited about reading it so I can understand all the comments.
I'm actually still just re-reading the plays that I've already read (back in school about a decade ago), so i still have 7 more re-reads before I will start reading the ones I've never read.
I just finished re-reading Measure for Measure, yeah gotta love that evil Angelo! Next on my list is....Macbeth!!! (I'm reading them in the same order that I first read them in at school, I know I'm kind of a dork that way LOL. I haven't decided yet how I will choose what to read next once I finish the re-reads).
I've also never watched any of the BBC versions; I've been thinking that i'd like to watch them all too (if possible), but that can be a project for another year.
Hi Bill, I like your idea of taking your time and only reading one a month. I actually thought of doing that, but then I realized it would take 3 years and I just didn't want to wait that long!! Especially since I would spend the first year with just my re-reads.So far it's taking me between 1-2 weeks for one play, which is why i think i will need to spill over into 2013
Hello, Erin, I think it's commendable reading through them all. I've only read maybe twenty at a guess. I have been meaning to read through - sometime, like a lot of people, and and reading one now and then.
The thought of the cruelties of 'Titus Adronicus, for instance,makes me feel feeble,I know.
I've been seeing the BBC versions, I thought some are brilliant, some disappointing, like 'A Winter's Tale' or those unphysical warriors in 'Troilus and Cressida'.
I think 'All's Well' for instance, is so much better as a play than a read, which I suppose makes sense. In true geekish style, though I've only seen the BBC version of it as a play, I've read a lot of criticism of it and the interpretations of it.
Famous critics like Tillyard of yesteryear whom I admire never had the opportunity to see it acted as it was hidden in obscurity, had a reputation for unluckiness, apparently.
(Off topic: Would you be the same Erin whose review of 'A Tale of Two Cities' intrigued me?)
I don't think I'm the same Erin; although 'A Tale of Two Cities' is one of my all-time favorite books, I don't remember writing a review on it. Great book though :-)I've also heard that Shakespeare is meant more to be seen as a play than read. I personally think it's easier to understand the play (or movie) if I've read the play first, because sometimes it can be hard to understand what the actors are saying. (or maybe it's just because of the helpful notes that the editors make.)
I actually saw the movie for Titus Adronicus but I haven't read it yet. I did like the movie, even though it did make me cringe at some of the awful things that are done.
Erin Hey, that is brave - it must have been gruesome visually, with the girl so dreadfully mutilated. Horrors. I know what you mean about reading first being invaluable, with language and witticisms and references four centuries old, it is necessary to enjoy it fully.
The witticisms are amazing when unravelled. I think it's so funny that Victorians edited coarse bits out in horror; - 'Shakespeare saying such a thing!'
I'll enjoy hearing what you think of 'All's Well' too; as Martin knows, I can go on forever about that one.
(Off topic: 'A Tale of Two Cities' I have a love hate relationship with that! I hope this gives you the link to my review: - [[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...]] It probably won't, I'm rubbish at IT.
No, the link didn't work, thanks for trying though. I always have trouble with that stuff too, (creating links, etc) mostly because i get so impatient with figuring it out that it's not worth it.I'll have to remember to make an update after i read All's Well; though it probably won't be for a few months, I still have a bunch of my re-reads to get through before I start the "new" stuff. (I think it's funny to refer to a 400-year-old play as "new", but it is new to me anyway)
[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...] Still not working! Me and IT! I'm looking forward to your views on 'All's Well.'
Re: Angelo in 'Measure for Measure' and Angelo; I tend to envisage him as apparently wicked but young and before this completely unaware of'the beast within'.
I love the Beebs. Though I can only admire those who undertake to read Shakespeare in a year, I've more or less watched the BBCs in a year - which is a bit lame. Except I can't scrunch myself up to Merry Wives.My sister got the box set of BBCs for me, isn't she a dear? I had to do them justice. I watch them with the subtitles on, pay attention to the text first and feel I'm at least cheat-reading - unlike with Shakespeare films where you're meant to watch.
I loved the BBC 'All's Well that End's Well' best, as you might have guessed from above! I thought Ian Charleson made an excellent supercillious Bertram. 'Troilus and Cressida' also with Miller puzzled me; I could only suppose those warriors were meant to be being potrayed as completely unimpressive.
*Two Gentleman* I enjoyed, despite those daft wigs!
I liked 'Much Ado' was very disappointed with 'A Winter's Tale' and found 'Julius Ceasar' a disappointment too.
Just realised I fogotr to order 'Coriolanus' from the library. I think they groan when I come in and go and get those forms for the British Library, but surely that should be somewhere in the borough?
More on the Beebs. Coriolanus is perhaps my own pick of them. Agree Julius Caesar was weak. All's Well was fantastic, and a play I'd have been unlikely to go near without the BBCs. Yes, the daft wigs do put you off at first glance in Two Gentlemen. I'm rapt in those where they use famous painters/art periods and frame the shots like Vemeers or whomever. Even though it does distract me a bit from the play. Those include Coriolanus and All's Well and Merchant of Venice. And I learnt to look for Elijah Moshinsky as director.
The songs in a few of them - they like musical interludes - quite amaze me. Their 'Fear no more the heat of the sun' in Cymbeline I've ordered for my funeral. They seemed to do a great job on the music.
With all the current interest in Coriolanus you (Jessica, Bryn and others) might care to join the Lucrece read -- similar period of early (legendary?) Roman history.I'm watching the BBC Coriolanus, after reading Bryn's notes in the previous post.
But "Shakespeare in a year"! My excuse for not doing it is "reading Shakespeare is a lifetime's experience". The real reason is I lack application. But I'd be interested to hear Erin's account of it.
Hi, Martin. Okay, you're on: I can pledge to Lucrece over April. I ought to, as I bought this shiny new Arden 3rd of the poems, but so far have lacked application too. That's where group reads come in.
hello, Martin - I hope you got 'Much Ado' back as I posted it aout three weeks ago? (I'm always worried they'll go missing).I'e just ordered 'Corialanus' from the library, but I daren't order 'Lucrece' yet as I'm always ordering stuff that has to be got from the British Library (I ordered three obscure articles last week) and they have got to the point of looking harrassed when they see me.
I did read Lucrece years ago. It certainly made grim reading! Will pop over, but not have much to add.
Bryn, I haven't seen 'Cymbeline' yet but it sounds good...
Yes it came back, Jessica. Sorry not to have responded sooner.
Hi Martin,I like your comment about "reading Shakespeare is a lifetime's experience". I do want to read the plays again at a slower pace. But for this year I wanted to get my "first reads" in (technically some of these are not a first read since I read them in school, but just as a refresher of them).
I would like to read them all again after this year, but next time read them slower, like maybe 1 play every couple of months or something.
And now reading these post makes me want to watch all the BBC versions, but that will also have to wait for another year :-)
I resolved to read em all this year... then it got shelved a bit. Now coming back to it. Feels good to be in company of happy readers of Shakespeare.
I haven't updated this in awhile, but I have been sticking to it so far, just 11.5 left. Whenever I tell anyone outside of GoodReads that I am doing this they look at me like i'm crazy, so it's nice to be able to go on this site and feel "normal". At least here when I say I want to read Shakespeare in a year I don't need to explain why :-)
Hello Erin. Reading Shakespeare needs no explanation. Shakespeare, it seems to me, needs to be read, watched, listened to, imagined, dreamt... played, talked about, sung... contemplated upon, and cherished. Anytime.
Hello :), I like this idea,it doesn't sound the slightest bit crazy to me:) I don't know if I will manage it within a year but I decided in August to read all of Shakespeares works. I began with Othello and have just started Hamlet, not doing them in any particular order, just whatever takes my fancy!
Hi Lynda.It's probably kind of silly to set a time line on it like I did, so you are a bit more sane than I am LOL.
Othello is my favorite play so far, so you picked good one to start with.
I decided to read all of Shakespeare's plays (that I hadn't already read) back in 2004. I made it just under the wire, finishing The Two Noble Kinsmen at ten PM on December 31st, 2004. (Yes, my life is *just* that exciting.) I'm about due for a reread...it's been a while.
Tom wrote: "I decided to read all of Shakespeare's plays (that I hadn't already read) back in 2004. I made it just under the wire, finishing The Two Noble Kinsmen at ten PM on December 31st, 2004. (Yes, my lif..."If it makes you feel better, I was reading on New Year's Eve 2012. (couldn't think of a better way to spend it!)
Just finished Two Noble Kinsmen as of 4:30 PM on new years eve. So I finished my goal of reading all 38 plays in a year with 7 hours to spare! Now to go enjoy the new year.
That's rushing to the finish line!I hope you managed to enjoy Two Noble Kinsmen. One of my favourites in fact.
Congratulations on a major achievement.
Thanks Bryn. I did really like Two Noble Kinsmen. I actually expected not to like it as much since it's not a popular one, but despite hurrying to finish it I thought it was one of the better plays.
Great to hear this about Two Noble Kinsmen. I came to it very late - last year - talked into it by Harold Bloom I think, in Shakespeare:The Invention of the Human.Future group read, Candy? One day?
Your blog and it's theme is terrific and I will link you to my blog!