When I was younger, in high school and through most of my undergrad years, I hated Shakespeare. I thought he was so boring. Then I had a professor who introduced me to the “dirty” side of Shakespeare. Now, I find myself incredibly excited about teaching the bards work. His plays have such rich language and there are so many parts of my life that I can bring into teaching these works. My theatre background; I am sure I will find a way to bring up period dancing. I love the clothing of the period.
This is going to be fun.
One thing I have always found interesting is try reading the sonnets as though they’re love poems to the prince of England.
It makes them so much more enjoyable;)
Get thee to a nunnery!
I’m rather keen on the songs embedded in the plays.
Also, knowing some of the contemporary euphemisms makes many plays more enjoyable. “I will live in thy arms, drown in thy eyes, and die in thy lap. And yes, I will take thee to the festival.” *g*
That is one of my favorite lines from that play, and absolutely lovely from the right lips with the right delivery.
Frankly, I disliked Brannagh’s (both–lips and delivery) in his version, although there was much else about that movie I enjoyed, including the music.
I’m a Brannagh fan. Though Richard Chamberlain made a better Thomas Mendip (in The Lady’s Not For Burning, by Christopher Fry).