Hamlet?

I don't really understand Hamlet. Throughout the play his character changes and from the moment he pretends to go mad I never know what his motives are or what he's really trying to accomplish. This isn't the first time I've read this play, and the last time through it I decided he was really crazy by the end. Where does he stop pretending? Between playing with peoples lives and getting revenge for his fathers death I feel like he gets lost in his own plan. I'm going to watch the Kenneth Branagh version tonight and I'm interested to see how he portrays the complexity that is Hamlet. We'll see what happens.....

Merchant of Venice For Kids

After reading the wonder play of Merchant of venice I was eager to see the BYU production. When I found out it was a traveling production geared toward children I was intrigued. How would they present the themes in a way children could understand and enjoy them? The play ended up being very clever and well done. 


The setting of the play was perfect they had the children sitting on the stage right in the middle of the action. They used them as characters and engaged them in the story. Before starting they even let them name the places and cultures of which the play would revolve around. I thought this was quite clever since a fight between a jew and a christian might be to mature for them. 


Lets be serious a lot of the themes in this play might be to much for children. So the company decided to make bullying, something many kids can relate to, the main theme of the play. I thought this was really effective because the children weren't stir crazy and I believe they enjoyed it as much as I did. 


The acting was parr(Shylock my favorite)they stuck with the original language for most part, which I appreciated. Also, I liked that they didn't make the production silly and to kiddish. THe production of taming of the shrew the company did last year was overly juvenile and I had a hard time sitting through it let alone enjoying it. over all the production quality was exceptionally good.  

Casting the Merchant of Venice

Its hard not picture scenes when reading a Shakespeare play as they are meant to be viewed not strictly read. So I thought It would be fun to cast the play for my own pleasure and here are the results!

Portia: Is beautiful and intelligent. She is however a little naive. For example in the court room scene she explains mercy to shylock and how its what a christian would do. Though she bestows it on Shylock her self when Antonio grants Shylock "mercy" he's really the only one benefitting. She has high regards for christian mercy but seems oblivious to other christians lack of it. because of this I casted her as: Samaire Armstrong. I saw her on an episode of mentalist where she played a strong intelligent charachter but she's better known for her roles in romantic comedy/teen films where she plays the role of a naive but intelligent women. 

Bassanio: Is obviously a irresponsible partier as we see in the beginning of the play when he admits the loss of his estate do to his elaborate lifestyle. I feel like he becomes a better friend to Antonio and grow up a little through his pursuit of Portia affections. In the end he chooses the right casket which says a lot for his character. I casted Arron Johnson as Bassanio because he always seems to play the edgy rich arrogant kid. However In a few films i've seen him play a romantic interest and a "coming of age" youth. Because of these roles I could easily see him acting the part of Bassanio. 

Antonio: Loyal Friend and behind the scenes guy is how I would describe Antonio. However I would also say he has a bullying side to him. Several times throughout the play we here of past acts committed against Shylock but its not until the court room scene, where he basically ruins Shylock, do we see upfront the ruthless side of The  Merchant of Venice. I thought Teddy Sears would be perfect for the Role because he usually acts in dramas playing both good and bad guys. The way he plays both characters is similar with minute changes which is why I can see him playing the  two-sided character of Antonio.

Jessica: Loves-sick rebellious daughter is the first impression I get of Jessica. But the pawning of her fathers ring make her character as questionable as antonio. Her Soul is often debated in the play for religious reasons but I take it as a symbol of her undecided character (not good but not bad) which hasn't in her youth been solidified. Emily Browning is the actress I would cast as Jessica. Her roles in Series of Unfortunate events and Univited  had similar traits to the character of Jessica. In Emily's role as violet she was Good, intelligent and independent. The character Anna from Univited is rebellious, desperate, and in the end not a moral person. As an actress I like the way Emily develops her characters and thats why I picked her to be Jessica.

Lorenzo: is basically just the object of Jessica's affection but I decided to cast him for fun anyways! And for the romancing heart throb I picked :  Liam Hemsworth because he's easy going and can play a good supporting role.

All that glitters isn't gold

The Merchant of venice is in my opinion Shakespeare's finest. Throughout the play one can find many deep themes and Ideas. One I found interesting was the father child relationship. 
EX.
Portia-Father
Jessica-Shylock
Launcelot Gobbo-Older Gobbo


Portia, though her father is dead, keeps her promise and follows her fathers extreme wishes regarding her marriage. She seems to have respect and love for him as well as trust in his decisions.


Jessica on the other hand is selfish and uncaring towards her father. She complains about Shylock and admits her hatred of him without actually giving reason then steals from him and proclaims herself a christian thereby cutting of her heritage and ties from Shylock. The only time we actually see them together in the play he seems to be a normal caring(overprotective father)which is why we sympathize with him when he learns jessica sold his precious ring given to him by who we assume is her mother.


As for the relationship of Launcelot and his father, though comedic there is clearly a lack of respect toward his father in the scene of their reunion. 


I found that in the case of Portia and Jessica the type of relationship they have with their fathers is congruent with their own personal character. Lets be honest, If my father wrote in his will a extreme request like Portia's did I probably wouldn't follow it. Does that make me a bad person? No. But Portia does keep her promise and I think this is because of her character. She is obviously intelligent and good, as we see in the trial, but she has a edgy side what with the trick she plays on her husband and cross-dressing. Over all she is a good person. 

On the flip side I would obviously never steal from my parents or pawn my fathers most sentimental/prized possession but I could easily see my self defying my parent (maybe not eloping) but moving away from home and starting my own life is kind of a similar thing. This also doesn't make me a bad person. With Jessica I feel that while eloping didn't taint her character for me her thievery and selfishness did. I feel like she is a immature character and she reminds me of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Both are young ignorant and a bit selfish. 

Henry V a second chance

   While discussing Henry the V with a co-worker I found a new found appreciation for the play. So I still don't like the story, but it is brilliantly written (kudos to Shakespeare!) My co-worker(It's funny how many people randomly love shakespeare)and I talked about the brilliance of metaphors in the play and the many speeches King Henry gives (He's a fan of them.)I don't remember his examples, but looking back at the play I found some I enjoyed. For example an exchange between Henry and the Dauphin where the two talk metaphorically about a tennis match. I played tennis and I really connected with that scene. The banter starts out playful and derogatory and ends with Henry threatening France, but it's so subtle which is awesome. 

Henry V

Finished Henry V, and to be honest .... I didn't like it.  Okay thats sort of dramatic. I appreciated it as a historical play and I did enjoy it more than Henry IV. However, and what I'm about to say may expose me as a hopeless romantic, I much prefer Shakespeare's romantic, tragic, and comedic plays. I felt like Henry V lacked any kind of accomplishment or character growth.  Yes he definitely changed a lot from the Henry IV but I wouldn't call it progressing, or even digressing. It was like he exchanged some traits for some other different, but equally mediocre ones.  That may be harsh but.... he went from a party boy to a semi pervy man who conquered a country because he thinks he deserves it.  Okay, so that last part isn't Shakespeare's fault, its history but I feel the same.  Part of the reason I loved the tempest so much was the character development and growth.  For example, Prospero starts out with only revenge on his mind, but in the end he forgives his brother. I love me a meaningful happy ending and in Henry V it ended with a forced marriage to a selfish king which was neither happy or meaningful. On the plus side movie wise Henry V has a boss costume.

The Tempest

Finished the tempest! Though I've read it before, this time I did more research on the intended themes of the play(btw cool). Imperialism was the big one of course. There is a scene where Trinculo and Stephano meet Caliban and he thinks Stephano to be a god because he gives him alcohol. I remember learning in a history class that native americans and other cultures influenced by imperialism that didn't have previous exposure to alcohol were more prone to addiction. Reading this scene I felt like it was alluding to it.


Act 2 sc. 2 The Tempest


Stephano " ...He shall taste of my bottle. If he have never drunk wine afore, it will go near to remove his fits. If I can recover him and keep him tame, I will not take too much for him. He shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly."


" Come on your ways. Open your mouth. Here is that which will give language to you, cat. Open your mouth. This will shake your shaking, I can tell you and that soundly (Caliban Drinks.)......"


I think the line where Stephano says to Caliban "Here is that which will give language to you, cat." is very interesting when compared with Act 1 sc. 2 where Caliban says "You taught me language,and my profit on't is I know how to curse...." In Act 1 sc. 2 I believe Caliban is saying teaching me you ways (language) has taught me to be corrupt and profited me nothing. If you use this idea for the line in Act 2 sc. 2 Stephano is basically saying he'll woo Caliban (representative of natives) and tame him to be what he needs or wants.

As I start subjecting myself to the works of Shakespeare I think I want to really focus on the historical background, pop culture, and themes.  These things are really what makes Shakespeare's plays so good.


Also It was recommended to me to read a synopsis of plays I haven't read or seen performed. I totally agree with this because it allows you to get outside of the plot and look for jokes and allusions to pop culture which are found throughout the plays. 


I've recently started reading The Tempest. Its my second time reading it but its one of my favorites. Im recognizing more of the themes (Imperialism etc.) in the story. I talked with my roommate about the allusions of imperialism found in the end of act two. For example: in the scene between Caliban, Miranda, and Prospero Caliban talks about when Miranda and Prospero first came to the island he showed them how to survive and prosper then they turned on him etc.  Caliban then says 
    "You taught me language, and my profit on't 
     Is I know how to curse. The red plague rid
     you for learning me your language"


My roommate and me were talking about how true it was that the only thing natives learned from imperialism was how to be currupt like western civilization.

Let me start by saying I love Shakespeare.  This is however a recent development since I spent most of my adolescent years cursing the play wright.  My first exposure to Shakespeare's work was in tenth grade. My english teacher assigned Hamlet for a weekend reader. The language intimidated me and i was so focused on the plot any references, humor, or symbolism was lost on me.  In short my first encounter with Shakespeare was a dud.

Now lets fast forward to my senior year.  My friends convinced me to take a Shakespeare english class (BTW guys, eternally grateful!). We read The Tempest, Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night etc. But more importantly, I had an amazing teacher who taught me how to read and appreciate Shakespeare.   Which brings you up to date in my affair with the writer.

Now for my blog...  I got my title from an R&J quote, but I kind of changed it to apply to me. Im in the early stages of college and the later stages of growing up. Part of this experience includes an awesome Shakespeare class that I'm taking this semester which is the inspiration for this blog.  Enjoy!