tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post7606161411722318530..comments2024-02-06T23:18:42.946-08:00Comments on Shakespeare Calling: Why Shakespeare? Why now?Ruby Jandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12107354716859269385noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post-31772536503926928572012-11-12T04:00:15.109-08:002012-11-12T04:00:15.109-08:00Again, welcome to the blog! And thanks for the int...Again, welcome to the blog! And thanks for the intro. It’s always inspiring to come into contact with new Bardomaniacs. It sounds like you’ve been bitten in about the same way I was not long ago. I’ll have to check out ”…Mohicans”. I read it in my pre-Shakespeare days.Ruby Jandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12107354716859269385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post-81156761329813914622012-11-12T03:54:34.116-08:002012-11-12T03:54:34.116-08:00You’ve just brought up one of the very big reasons...You’ve just brought up one of the very big reasons for Shakespeare’s eternal fascination – he’s so very quotable! I have a whole long list of quotes I’m going to use in real life as soon as the opportunity arises. Unfortunately I have a terrible memory and will probably never succeed in producing a snappy Shakespeare come-back. But maybe a “Ruby’s Reflections”? Thanks for the idea! Ruby Jandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12107354716859269385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post-70561569869457219762012-11-10T06:24:20.149-08:002012-11-10T06:24:20.149-08:00Here are some tips how Shakespeare can be quite us...Here are some tips how Shakespeare can be quite useful during your everyday's conversation. I hope Ruby will forgive me for the spam.<br /><br />When somebody talks too much without saying anything at all, as often happens, use Getrude's advice: "more matter with less art". <br /><br />For a polite comment in such situations, useful are Bassanio's description of Gratiano as someone who speaks an "infinite deal of nothing"; alternatively, Romeo's description of Mercutio: "A gentleman, that loves to hear himself talk and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month."<br /><br />When somebody tries to sell you verbally the most common lie in the world - namely "I love you" - there's no better answer than Cordelia's: "Love, and be silent".<br /><br />When you're selling something and the other party argues to reduce your quite reasonable price still further, then the so-called "Lear Reminder" is very helpful: "Nothing will come of nothing."<br /><br />When you have a date with somebody who is in none too platonic a mood, then use Juliet's verbal slap: "What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?"<br /><br />When you are baffled by some action, the best and most natural question is Macduff's: "Wherefore did you so?"<br /><br />When you are simply fed up with explaining something to a most uncomprehending individual, by all means use Iago's last words:<br /><br />Demand me nothing: what you know, you know: <br />From this time forth, I never will speak word.Alexanderhttp://www.librarything.com/profile/Waldsteinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post-44599847920688905782012-11-05T18:24:41.190-08:002012-11-05T18:24:41.190-08:00Sounds like a lifelong love affair, Ruby. The cour...Sounds like a lifelong love affair, Ruby. The course of true love never did run smooth, eh! <br /><br />I'm awfully happy that you have decided to launch this blog. Truth to tell, I haven't found many such places on the Web. Annotated online editions of the plays, yes, zillions. But somebody taking the trouble to write thoughtful reviews, including discussions of movies and quoting a number of studies, that is something rare.<br /><br />By all means it will be fun to discuss the Bard together. And as long as something is fun, it's certainly worth doing.<br /><br />Now to introduce myself, sort of. I'm afraid my exposure to Shakespeare is really very brief so far. I've just dig out my first review of his play ("Othello") and it's dated March 26, 2012. But I do recognise the symptoms of Bardomania. I also got hooked on reading (and re-reading) as many plays as I could, including reading aloud (but only when completely alone!), watching movies, listening to music inspired by Shakespeare, etc. I'd love to see something live on the stage but have no such opportunity for now. Frankly, however, I think I would prefer movies anyway: much greater opportunities in every aspect, even if the special live magic can never be quite captured.<br /><br />It's funny how easily Shakespeare permeates your unconscious. I often find myself, when confronted with an unexpected problem, exclaim mentally "Ay, there's the rub". Such examples will doubtless multiply in the future. And yes, it's amazing how often one comes across Shakespearean quotes in books, movies and what not. Why on earth should Fenimore Cooper have prefaced most of the chapters of "The Last of the Mohicans" with quotes from Shakespeare? Apparently, the man was a fan.Alexanderhttp://www.librarything.com/profile/Waldsteinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post-20783244390857189292011-07-23T09:58:37.696-07:002011-07-23T09:58:37.696-07:00Looking forward to reading your analyses! :)Looking forward to reading your analyses! :)Kallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04000481394353210281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763524608484932801.post-58565811384539305132011-07-21T23:31:32.839-07:002011-07-21T23:31:32.839-07:00Looking great!!!!Looking great!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com