Sir Laurence Olivier famously left Rosencrantz and Guildenstern out of his Hamlet. So, play director for a minute. Who else appears to be a major character that you think you could get away with cutting? You are allowed to give that character’s lines to other characters, as necessary, but you can’t invent new characters to compensate. No merging to create a new and unique character (so no blending of Tybalt/Paris/Prince into a single entity ala Sealed With A Kiss).

That certainly caught my attention, as I’m sure it did yours. I think, though, that the project is really better described as a series of made-for-tv movies?

Patrick Stewart, David Suchet and David Morrissey are among the stars confirmed for a new TV production of Richard II.

The season, which will take a fresh look at the bard’s life and works, will also include adaptations of his history plays Henry IV Parts I and II and Henry V, set in the medieval period and filmed on locations around the UK and mainland Europe. St David’s Cathedral and Pembroke Castle, in West Wales were used to film many of the scenes.

The screening of the films is linked to the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, which is billed as the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympics and Paralympics.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2011/05/29/shakespeare-tv-series-filmed-in-wales-91466-28786092/
So, 4 movies. I’m unsure how that translates into a series, but we shall see.

Here’s a question. Who among Shakespeare’s characters do you think *says* the least, but is still most crucial to the play? Hamlet, as we know, never shuts up. I’m looking for his opposite. Somebody who manages to say very little but still accomplish great things.
The Prince from Romeo and Juliet would be an example, although only technically — he shows up to say “Look if there’s any more violence in the streets somebody’s going to be executed,” and then later, when there’s violence on the streets, he shows up to banish Romeo. Both important plot points. Technically he wraps the play up but I don’t count that so much among the “action” bits.
I say “technically” because he’s really a minor character who only shows up just to make these points. It’s not like he’s got much stage time.
Compare Cordelia, who disappears after her big opening scene for awhile, and then comes back strong at the end. But I don’t know how her line count would compare with some others.
Ophelia certainly doesn’t get to say much – but can we really count her in this list? Is she ever anything more than someone else’s pawn?
I’m not sure if I’m getting across my premise. Trying to drum up some conversation, it’s been quite here recently.

This is going to sound like a homework question, but you all know that it’s been a long time since I was in high school :).
Othello is typically described as a story of jealousy. When there’s even the slightest hint that his wife has been unfaithful, noble Othello is reduced to a snarling, violent animal who sees her death as the only possible outcome.

But what about Iago’s jealousy of Cassio? Doesn’t the whole play revolve around something that Cassio has, that Iago wants? It’s not just the promotion, is it? Cassio has Othello’s attention. When Othello needs something, he turns to Cassio. Iago wants to be in that position. I would say that Cassio has Othello’s love, but I’m not sure how accurate that is — Othello catches Cassio brawling at the bar and demotes him just as quickly. He doesn’t seem to lose too much sleep over it.
How are the two different? How are they the same? Discuss.

According to Google, the following are the most popularly asked questions that still remain unanswered. Who wants to be first with some answers?

• What kind of person does Cassius seem to be?
• Why won’t Brutus take an oath?
• What lie does Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
• How does Oberon find Titania and Bottom?
• How does Petruchio tame Kate?
• How does Romeo describe Juliet’s beauty?

Most of these don’t seem especially difficult, I just think that patience is required to formulate an answer. After all, doesn’t Romeo spend most of the play describing Juliet’s beauty? That’s a lot of text to cite 🙂
Thanks to everybody who’s been providing the answers!!