books Shakespeare Thread

[NewCalamity 3,454]

~The Shakespeare Thread~

Ahh, Shakespeare to some, he is a wonderful playwright and inspires generations with his work and retellings of stories. To others, even his name gives the thought of boredom, cheesy lines and silly clothing!

Knowing that a few of the members here enjoy a good Shakespeare play I’ve felt the need to create his own thread for all to share their opinions, experiences and thoughts on all of his works. Whether they be the numerous film adaptations, written plays, or even the live performances themselves, here is the place to indulge yourselves!

I was exposed to Shakespeare’s work at a very young age, my family and I would go to an annual event in the summer called ‘Shakespeare in the Vineyard’. It was a quaint place, amateur actors and actresses would perform there with no profit, it was all for charity! The whole thing takes place outdoors next to a vineyard and a small building where wine, chocolate and other goods are sold. Sadly, we don’t attend anymore and the last time I hjave been was probably 2 years ago now. All the plays we saw were Shakespeare’s comedies, even as a child I was not bored by the chipper actors and actresses doing their part! I could even understand the dialogue, which I know a lot of people around here have a hard time doing.

All of the plays I have seen, watched, or read:

Comedies:

- The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Much Ado About Nothing
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- The Taming of the Shrew
- Twelfth Night

Tragedies:

- Macbeth
- Hamlet


As for my favourite of his plays, mine would have to be Hamlet.



I have read it, seen it and watched the film adaptation that stars Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet. I simply adore Hamlet’s character and his susceptibility to strong emotion and rash action. I really felt for his character and his goal. Also, as a little factoid Hamlet is a retelling of a Scandinavian legend named Amleth.

What is everypony else's feelings on their favourite plays and your experiences with his writing? Edited April 21, 2012 by NewCalamity

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

I'll only be able to post in this thread once my English class starts up Romeo and Juliet. I have a feeling I will like that story.

[Aureity 3,055]

My English class last year forced me to read Romeo and Juliet.

And this year we were forced into MacBeth.

 

Oh, and we also saw a film version of Romeo and Juliet set in the late 1980s. It was...interesting.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

It was...interesting.

 

'Tis shaped like itself.

[FinalGamer 192]

I have read it, seen it and watched the film adaptation that stars Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet. I simply adore Hamlet’s character and his susceptibility to strong emotion and rash action. I really felt for his character and his goal. Also, as a little factoid Hamlet is a retelling of a Scandinavian legend named Amleth.

I LOVED that movie, that was a really really good movie that I will never forget.

 

I have mixed feelings with Shakespeare. On the one hand, I respect him as a great contemporary writer of his time with a bewildering array of many different characters. On the other hand, I was forced to do Macbeth TWICE in high school for different years.

 

My. God do I hate Macbeth so much now, because my teacher was always painting him as some kind of tragic hero. I completely disagreed and said that he was just a soldier easily weakened by superstitious fears and his own ambitious bitch of a wife, who allowed his growing murder streak to go unchecked and bring ruin to the land.

 

Hamlet I love, Twelfth Night was GREAT, and Midsummer Night's Dream I enjoy. But that's really all I read.

[Matackable 534]

Oh, and we also saw a film version of Romeo and Juliet set in the late 1980s. It was...interesting.

 

That film was a piece of crap. xD

[Aureity 3,055]

That film was a piece of crap. xD

 

Oh come on, I thought it was funny how they had guns named things like "Longsword" to keep in theme with the actual play's lines XD

[Moosefullaeggs 543]

Oh Hamlet, such a beautiful play.

 

I watched Hamlet (Mel Gibson) back when I was in 9th grade; it was applicable to the feelz of the time, and even some current feelz.

 

I feel such joy with every step Hamlet takes towards revenge.

 

Ohh, it's amazing.......

 

Mmm..*cough*

 

Eh..yeah..it's a good read/watch. If you haven't watched Mel Gibson's Hamlet, please do.

 

I'll contribute more once I watch it again.

Edited April 7, 2012 by moosefullaeggs

[Comet Tail 808]

...

To be, or not to be... That is the soliloquy.

 

I like the deep, expressive poetic way which the lines flow in his plays. Really, much higher standards of intelligence back then. It's not just how they talk, it's that they talk in this poetic way that's deep and intelligent, and most of all very, very expressive.

 

Saw a number of the plays wonderfully performed in Utah at a shakespear festival, twice. Hamlet was among them.

 

Homestly, I don't even know the story of Macbeth.

 

As for film, my favorite are the old BBC black-and-white ones; I think they captured it best, by far. (Though to be fair, the only one of those I've seen is Julius Caeser.)

 

Hmm. Hamlet. Have you ever heard of the play/movie "Rosencratz and Guildenstern are Dead?"

 

Oh come on, I thought it was funny how they had guns named things like "Longsword" to keep in theme with the actual play's lines XD

 

Okay, then I guess you're not talking about the version I saw in AP Lit. The version I saw, the actor that played Hamlet must've been, like, 30 or 40 something, and looked a lot older than his parents

Oh, and the director took lots of liberties, implied stuff that I don't think shakespear meant.

[NewCalamity 3,454]

Hmm. Hamlet. Have you ever heard of the play/movie "Rosencratz and Guildenstern are Dead?"

 

I have as a matter of fact. Heard about it from school, it was hosting a student performed play of it. Don't know anything about it really, all I've seen of it are the ads that had a noose on them.

 

I never attend school events so I didn't get around to knowing what it was not to mention watching it on a Friday night!

[Comet Tail 808]

I have as a matter of fact. Heard about it from school, it was hosting a student performed play of it. Don't know anything about it really, all I've seen of it are the ads that had a noose on them.

 

I never attend school events so I didn't get around to knowing what it was not to mention watching it on a Friday night!

 

For class we had to read the script like a book. It was actually pretty funny, but very nonsensical

[Moosefullaeggs 543]

I have read it, seen it and watched the film adaptation that stars Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet. I simply adore Hamlet’s character and his susceptibility to strong emotion and rash action. I really felt for his character and his goal. Also, as a little factoid Hamlet is a retelling of a Scandinavian legend named Amleth.

 

 

You love strong emotion and rash action, eh?

 

I will, once again, shamlessly self bump this torrent for Hamlet (1990.)

http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/5131879

[Zoop 8,384]

Shakespeare? I know that guy, makes awesome movies and such.

 

[Finesthour 7,287]

My favorite play by Shakespear would have to be King Lear.

 

The tragedy and irony of the entire play sends shivers through my spine.