Well put, Rob. I haven't read/seen a huge amount of Shakespeare, but what always comes through to me is how real and believable his characters are — he creates people and situations we can still relate to today, no matter how distant or even fantastical the original settings are. I guess that's why there are so many modern versions and rewrites of his stories and themes, because in most cases they really work no matter what era or setting they're transposed to.Rob Houghton wrote: I find it hard to put into words, but each time I've studied Shakespeare - at A Level twice, then in an Access Course (when we did Othello) I have started out feeling apathetic, and within a few minutes, Shakespeare's magic floods over me and you realise just how clever and how deep and above all how relevant to life and how human, his writing is.
I think too many people try to figure out every word and every meaning - like its some sacred text that we should be able to understand, but feel bad if we can't. We tend to forget that Shakespeare wrote the 'TV soaps' of the day, and it was mass entertainment - not highbrow - it was entertainment for the common man in the street, filled with action and murder etc. It dealt with themes that everyone understood, and wasn't intellectual at all.
What Are You Doing Now?
- Courtenay
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
Re: What Are You Doing Now?
I think you've hit the nail on the head, Eddie. You have to study Shakespeare. Reading to me is a pleasure, and I don't want to study it to understand it. Maybe that's the price I have to pay for reading 90% Blyton in my childhood. It just seems like homework if you have to study an author's work to enjoy it! I know Courtenay and Rob are far more literary highbrow than me, so can understand how they love his work. I just keep to the simple things in life.Eddie wrote:Studying Shakespeare really requires a considerable amount of effort
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Shakespeare isn't my cup of tea, either! As mentioned it has to be studied. I like to read for pleasure.
We didn't do Shakespeare at school, I think I would have been bored stupid if we had!
Sorry Shakespeare lovers.
We didn't do Shakespeare at school, I think I would have been bored stupid if we had!
Sorry Shakespeare lovers.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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- Rob Houghton
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Lol...as I say, I can never tell when you're being sarcastic...but I'm the least highbrow person on here, lol! Some of the things people mention reading, and I shudder at the thought! I daresay I wouldn't have ever opened a Shakespeare text if it hadn't been that I was studying them at college - but I'm glad I did, and it certainly gave me a wider appreciation of his work. Of course, living not 20 miles from where he was (supposedly!) born, I guess I find him interesting on local levels too!Moonraker wrote:I know Courtenay and Rob are far more literary highbrow than me, so can understand how they love his work.Eddie wrote:Studying Shakespeare really requires a considerable amount of effort
When I hear of people reading 'War and Peace' and loads of Dickens, and other such novels, THAT'S when I consider people to be 'highbrow'! I'm much more your Daphne DuMaurier, Catherine Cookson, Linwood Barclay type of reader! Even J K Rowling is too 'highbrow' for me!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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- pete9012S
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Shakespeare's not for me. I studied it at school with a three brilliant English teachers.
I explained why I didn't like it to my favourite English teacher and begged to be allowed to study other work for my final exams.
I think the alternatives were 'Of Mice And Men','Kes' and 'Shane'. I promised my teacher I would get an 'A' in my English literature if he allowed me to ditch Shakespeare for these 'lesser' works.
He agreed as long as I got the mark I promised... Verily Sire, anon,anon release the fleshpots - I got an 'A' in the alternative books and yes,I still don't like Shakespeare!
I do like some of his poetry though...
I explained why I didn't like it to my favourite English teacher and begged to be allowed to study other work for my final exams.
I think the alternatives were 'Of Mice And Men','Kes' and 'Shane'. I promised my teacher I would get an 'A' in my English literature if he allowed me to ditch Shakespeare for these 'lesser' works.
He agreed as long as I got the mark I promised... Verily Sire, anon,anon release the fleshpots - I got an 'A' in the alternative books and yes,I still don't like Shakespeare!
I do like some of his poetry though...
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
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- Rob Houghton
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
One of the reasons I like Shakespeare is all the well-known quotes and bits of wisdom, and the sayings that we still use today. Many people don't realise they are actually quoting Shakespeare on a daily basis!
I must admit, I think if we'd done Shakespeare at ')' Level rather than 'A' Level, I might have been put off. 'O' Level when I was at school were books like 'The Chocolate War', Death of a Salesman, 'Across The Barricades' and lord of the Flies.
I must admit, I think if we'd done Shakespeare at ')' Level rather than 'A' Level, I might have been put off. 'O' Level when I was at school were books like 'The Chocolate War', Death of a Salesman, 'Across The Barricades' and lord of the Flies.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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- Courtenay
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Like this...Rob Houghton wrote:One of the reasons I like Shakespeare is all the well-known quotes and bits of wisdom, and the sayings that we still use today. Many people don't realise they are actually quoting Shakespeare on a daily basis!
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Brilliant! yes - exactly!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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- Poppy
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Thanks sixret and Courtenay!
Thank you, Sunkriti! The same to you too, and I'd highly recommend Psychology, I'm sure you'd love it!Darrell71 wrote: Good luck for everything that you're doing, Poppy!
"Beware of young men with long hair - that's what dad says, isn't it?"
Pat, Holiday House
Poppy's Best of Books
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Poppy's Best of Books
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
I am a huge Shakespeare fan. I became a huge Shakespeare fan when I was 14 and saw Antony Sher play Richard III.
Sometimes literature teachers forget that Shakespeare is theatre. I would recommend to anyone going to see a really good live performance of Shakespeare. That's really the best way to find out what all the fuss is about. Avoid the old movies, they really didn't get it in those days. Some of the modern movies are really good, but some are still pretty poor.
Sometimes literature teachers forget that Shakespeare is theatre. I would recommend to anyone going to see a really good live performance of Shakespeare. That's really the best way to find out what all the fuss is about. Avoid the old movies, they really didn't get it in those days. Some of the modern movies are really good, but some are still pretty poor.
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
I think there's more chance of John converting to being a Maxey lover than me ever getting into Shakespeare.
Glad you enjoy it though KEVP.
Glad you enjoy it though KEVP.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Which John, Pete?
- pete9012S
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
The Maxey hating John - although I don't suppose that narrows it down too much!
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
I love most of Daphne DuMaurier's novels (especially "Frenchman's Creek", "The House on the Strand" and "The King's General", but also books on her life...just watched an incredible ARTE documentary yesterday on DDM and "Rebecca").Rob Houghton wrote:I'm much more your Daphne DuMaurier, Catherine Cookson, Linwood Barclay type of reader! Even J K Rowling is too 'highbrow' for me!
And I've read most of Linwood Barclay's crime novels (now I've started reading Harlan Coben's "Tell No One" who writes similar stuff). Also I enjoy Carlene Thompson's thrillers for years.
Even though I've tried reading both some 17+ years ago, Rowling and Diana Gabaldon just didn't intrigue me.
Chrissie
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
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"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake."
Alfred Hitchcock
- Rob Houghton
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Re: What Are You Doing Now?
Hmmm...I'd have to disagree about Lawernce Olivier's Hamlet - its still widely recognised as the most powerful film version ever made.KEVP wrote:Avoid the old movies, they really didn't get it in those days. Some of the modern movies are really good, but some are still pretty poor.
I've read most of Linwood Barclay's novels, Chrissie - and also quite a few of Haran Coben's.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member