Status Updates From King John and Henry VIII

I finished King John only, and without a class or professor (or film to guide me), I was immensely confused. I need to make sure I am using supports when reading something without the historical context or a strong grasp of the players and motives. So, two stars reflects my understanding, not Shakespeare. And subtract 382 pages from the end of the year reading count because I didn't do the second part of this book

Finished King John - I enjoyed all but the stuff with Arthur's oddball death.

An unfortunately overlooked play. Richard Lionheart’s son, The Bastard, creates lots of excitement.

read act 4 - what was he, WS, thinking? I'll read it again Sunday and see if it makes more sense...well, if it's more sensible.

read Act iii, which was pretty good stuff.

Now reading King John. Act 1 was this weekend.

Finished H8 and commentary. I will start KJ in a couple weeks.

finished H8 Act 5. A little anticlimactic for what I thought was a much better play than I anticipated. Reading the commentary.

H8, act 4. Thin act.

reading H8 1st. through Act 3

read Act 1 of Henry VIII today.

King John done. Henry will have to wait a few hundred years.

Re-read of King John needed (since 1975), as I embark on all 10 histories in monarchical order, incl. those flanking the two Henriads (I = KJ, RII, 1HIV, 2HIV, HV; II = 1HVI, 2HVI, 3HVI, RIII, HVIII). Technically, in terms of historical contiguity, you include the Rs but not KJ or HVIII because of intervening monarchs. But since they are on my list, I may as well read them all. Looking forward to RII and RIII again.