I love the potential for Shakespeare sequels and prequels. Once upon a time we played the “write a sequel” game, I highly suggest checking that out for Alexi’s genius crossover idea that blends a Merchant of Venice sequel into an Othello prequel.  There’s also Hamlet 2, which is a bit of a joke but does have an actual plot in there somewhere, and I’m pretty sure there’s a legit sequel called “Fortinbras” or “Horatio” (I think the latter) that has Horatio haunted by the ghosts of everybody that died in the first one.

Any list of “Things You Didn’t Know About Shakespeare” usually comes up lacking, but I have to admit that I learned several new things this time. That is, assuming that these are all true and not apocryphal.

Sure, we all knew that Shakespeare had twins, one of whom died. And the story with the starlings, although I still believe that one is fake.  Not that he released the starlings, that’s true – but that it had anything to do with Shakespeare. I find no proof of that, and I’ve looked.

But did I know that Hitler designed a Shakespeare play? Or that the first amateur performance was in 1623? Or that Mozart tried his hand at The Tempest? All news to me!  A very interesting list indeed.

In 2010 Christopher Plummer announced that The Tempest would be his farewell to Shakespeare, because he had reached an age where there were literally no more parts left for him to play.

Are we going to lose Helen Mirren as well? She’s played Cleopatra and Lady M, but at 67 years old what else should she play?  She did get that chance to play a female Prospero in Julie Taymor’s movie.

It’s a good question. The men of course have Lear, Prospero, Polonius, Falstaff, Gloucester… the list goes on. Although, granted, if you start a list with “Lear” it’s going to drop off pretty quickly.

How about Volumnia? That seems an obvious choice. Any others?

This year’s Shakespeare posting marathon is sponsored by “Shakespeare is Universal.” Help us prove that Shakespeare makes life better. Buy a t-shirt and support cancer research.

Susan does the Shakespeare, Sam does the drawings. Together they produce Bard’s Cards, a line of greeting cards decorated with our favorite quotes from Shakespeare.

AND, for Shakespeare’s Birthday they’re giving some away!  Just head over to the site and follow the rules.  It’s one of those dealies where the more you share it the more you have a chance to win.

Good luck!  But I’m telling you right now Susan, if you sneak in any Not By Shakespeare on my geeks, you’re going to hear about it!  I’d better not see any “When I saw you I fell in love and you smiled because you knew” or any of that other silliness!

This year’s Shakespeare posting marathon is sponsored by “Shakespeare is Universal.” Help us prove that Shakespeare makes life better. Buy a t-shirt and support cancer research.