Ethan Hawke's Hamlet

~ duane ~ 7 Comments

So my DVR noticed that Ethan Hawke’s Hamlet was on this week, and recorded it for me.  Am I going to like it?  I can tell you, I’m about 15 minutes in or so and I don’t.  It’s like a bunch of 20 something actors got together and said “People will take us seriously if we do Shakespeare!” Meanwhile they walk through their lines as if to say, “I have no idea what I just said.” I hear Bill Murray is good in it, though.

The Macbeth Sonnets

~ duane ~ 6 Comments

http://www.folger.edu/eduLesPlanDtl.cfm?lpid=760


This lesson at the Folger took me by surprise when I saw it flash by my alerts.  The idea is to take one of several sonnets (71, 144, 147, 148) and analyze them from the point of view of Macbeth or Lady Macbeth.


Interesting idea.  Here’s Sonnet 71 for those who don’t feel like following the links:
LXXI

1. No longer mourn for me when I am dead

2. Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell

3. Give warning to the world that I am fled

4. From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell:

5. Nay, if you read this line, remember not

6. The hand that writ it, for I love you so,

7. That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,

8. If thinking on me then should make you woe.

9. O! if, I say, you look upon this verse,

10. When I perhaps compounded am with clay,

11. Do not so much as my poor name rehearse;

12. But let your love even with my life decay;

13. Lest the wise world should look into your moan,

14. And mock you with me after I am gone.

Am I supposed to say that this is Lady Macbeth’s suicide note to her husband?  Is that the idea?  Master of Verona beat me to it a long time ago :).

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Oh, They Are So Hooked

~ duane ~ 3 Comments

So my almost 4yr old is now all into Romeo and Juliet, and each night at dinner she says, “Daddy, you promised you’d tell me the Shakespeare story again!”  I greatly enjoy feigning ignorance and asking, “Which one?  King Lear, The Tempest, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet?” Of course, her primary experience with Romeo and Juliet is that animated movie about the seals called Sealed With A Kiss.  So I find myself bouncing back and forth between the “real” story and the movie.  For instance: [at the Capulet party]  “So then the Prince says Hey, you’re not a Capulet, you’re Romeo!  And then Romeo has to run away before he gets in trouble.”
    4yr old:   “No Daddy, he doesn’t run away, he falls into the water.”
      6yr old:  “Or Daddy are you telling us the *real* story, not the movie story?”
“Actually, sweeties, that’s one of the neat things about Shakespeare stories, is that everybody tells them a little bit different.  Romeo had to leave the party, and whether he snuck out or ran away or fell in the water is really up to whoever tells it.” [And this one, near the end]  “So anyway, Juliet is asleep, but poor Romeo never got the message, so he comes to her and says Oh no, she’s dead!  And then he kisses her and he falls down dead too.  But then the sun comes up and they both wake up together and live happily ever….”
   4yr old: “Daddy, no!  That’s not how it ends!”
“It’s not?  What did I miss?”
   4yr old: “Romeo’s father comes in and says Oh no, Romeo, my son!  You forgot that part.”
“Sorry.  So Romeo kisses Juliet, and then he falls asleep, and Romeo’s father comes in and says Oh no, Romeo, my son!  But then the sun comes up and they both wake up together and live happily ever after.” (Man are they gonna be mad at me when they get to school and learn how it really ends…..)   On the other end of the table, my 6yr old is going to “camp” this summer.  At that age it’s little more than a continuation of school where she’s dropped off for half a day and “counselors” (as compared to “teachers”) walk them through some games and crafts and generally keep them out of Mom’s hair.  Anyway, my daughter has learned that camp for older kids is full day, and lasts several weeks.  She is anxious to go next year. Mom:  “We’ll worry about that next year, sweetie.  You might not even want to go to that camp.  There’s lots of camps you can go to, dance camp, swimming camp, gymnastics camp.” Dad:  “Don’t forget about Shakespeare camp!” 6yr old:  “Daddy, are you sure they let girls in there?”   (I think somewhere along the line I told her that boys used to play all the girl parts, and it’s confused her.) Dad:  “Of course!  They need girls for all the best parts!  How else are they going to have Cordelia, and Miranda, and Juliet?” 6yr old:  (with a wonderful expression dawning) “Wait….they actually *play* the stories?” Dad:  (beaming)  “Yup.” 6yr old:  “And I could get to *be* Juliet????” Dad:  “Yup!” The sparkle in her eye was wonderful.  I think she’s hooked.