We’ve talked about projects to visualize Shakespeare before, in a variety of ways. Here’s one I hadn’t seen. Via Incredible Things I give you an actual wallsized poster of Hamlet, diagrammed. Suitable for framing.
At almost $300 I’m not going to run out and grab one, but it does fascinate me. It is *very* tight. I’d love something in a big TIFF file that I could peruse at my leisure, to sit down and really see whether the entire story is adequately captured so succinctly.
I’d also like to see whether she’s done the other plays! (Her bio lists just the 1 item for sale, so I’m guessing not. But maybe coming soon?)
Seriously, this is the kind of thing that kicks the computer geek side of my brain. I’ve always dreamed of having this sort of semantic engine that could read Shakespeare’s work and then spit back out whatever you asked for it (at least, the objective stuff like “When does Hamlet kill Polonius” or “Who is Tybalt to Juliet?”). Just the other day I saw on a mailing list where somebody asked whether you could programmatically solve “The doubling problem” by making the definitive list of all characters who are on stage with each other. Assuming you’ve got an accurate representation of enters/exits, then yes, you certainly could, I’d think.
Category: Shakespeare Plays
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the most influential playwrights in history, and his plays have been performed and studied for centuries. From the timeless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet to the hilarious antics of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s plays continue to captivate audiences around the world. Whether you’re a fan of tragedy, comedy, or romance, there’s a Shakespeare play for everyone. So why not revisit these timeless classics and discover the magic of Shakespeare for yourself?
Browse the entire text of Shakespeare’s plays right here on Shakespeare Geek.
The Making Of Romeo+Juliet
Alas, nobody offered me any freebies for the Blu-ray release of Luhrman’s Romeo+Juliet (apparently arriving today).
BUT! I think we’ve found a kindred spirit over at Hollywood Crush, who not only serves up a “making of” clip from the Blu-ray but also gushes all nostalgic about that extra little addition to the already brutal ending:
I mean, I was prepared for their deaths! We all know it’s coming. I was NOT prepared for that artful, yet agonizing addition. Cried. my. eyes. out.
Lucky duck.
Romeo and Juliet : The TV Series?!
Oh, happy birthday to me. ABC is planning a Romeo and Juliet TV Series? Sure not a new thing — “warring families” dramas have always been a popular subject. But my kids are getting to that age where they’re very excited about being a part of Shakespeare, and having something on tv that they might be able to watch? I’m all for. (I just showed them the Tempest trailer this morning, and they’re already begging me to see it ;))
Blu-Ray Romeo+Juliet
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo+Juliet (sometimes known as Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo+Juliet) is getting a Blu-Ray release on October 19. Also released on this date will be the Blu-Ray version of Moulin Rouge (which, if you didn’t know, is also a Luhrmann project, only with Ewan McGregor instead of Leo). I’ll tell you now, if somebody comes knocking on my door offering review copies again, I’m getting a Blu-Ray player! http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/news/09-2010/baz-luhrmanns-william-shakespeares-romeojuliet-mou_30546.html
Which Play Is The Most Romantic?
Going over edits for my Shakespeare wedding quotes book, I’m curious about which play provided the most romantic quotes. That’s a fairly arbitrary measure, of course, but it’s an interesting question. I’m not thinking of the storyline. I mean, which play has the most passages that you could pull out of context and use elsewhere and still have them sound romantic?
From where I sit, As You Like It and A Midsummer Night’s Dream both have a great deal of stuff to say on the subject of love and romance. But they’re both … light? about it. Neither, in my book, expresses the sort of ups and downs that come with what love’s really all about. Don’t get me wrong, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is damned near perfection from some angles, but half the time, the lovers are in the grip of a magic potion and in love with the wrong person. As You Like It, I find just too corny. Cute but corny. Life’s not as easy as that one makes it out to be.
I think I’ll put my money on Twelfth Night. I love the discussion we had on music being the food of love. Orsino has got some amazing insight about what love’s really all about, and that place where it can actually cause you pain, and yet you still want more of it.
“They are in the very wrath of love, clubs cannot part them.”
“Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.”