November 2024

 

November 2024

 

Dear Shakespeare friends, it has been an exciting journey since I started this blog lo, these many years ago. Many thanks for your visits! For the moment, however, I will pause it, reporting only if something sensational happens. I will of course check in every month, so please continue visiting.

Until later, then, best wishes to you all. 

And sadly, our thoughts still go Gaza. One day, I hope to be able to quote something about peace, but again, sadly, I repeat what I have repeated for far too long:

‘O war! thou son of hell’ O Putin! O Netanyahu! Thou sons of hell! Our thoughts and support are still needed  to the people of Gaza, and the people of Israel who hate the war. Protest in any way you can! And don’t give up hope. ‘True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.’

In this time of turmoil and hope I give you this familiar promo for the book Shakespeare calling – the book. Indie authors like me always need support, even now when book signings and lectures can again be scheduled. Only on the Internet can I reach people like you, who are interested in Shakespeare would like to support the Shakespeare Calling project. I do so hope you will help me by ordering the book online. Any sales I make of this book will go directly to Doctors without Borders for their work in Gaza Just let me know and I’ll send the money forthwith. You can also order directly from me. Just write me an email. Thank you.

The book is available for those of you in Great Britain and parts of Europe on this site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/9163782626/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1514378301&sr=8-1

 

Also available on http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Calling-book-Ruby-Jand/dp/9163782626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436073737&sr=1-1&keywords=Ruby+Jand+shakespeare+calling

Or in Sweden

http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789163782626/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

or Adlibris. Or contact the publisher info@vulkan.se 

I would be thrilled to get an email from you if you bought the book. rubyjandshakespearecalling@gmail.com

 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

·        https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

·        https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/

October 2024

 

October 2024

 

…to yellow autumn turned…

 

And sadly, our thoughts still go Gaza. One day, I hope to be able to quote something about peace, but again, sadly, I repeat what I have repeated for far too long:

‘O war! thou son of hell’ O Putin! O Netanyahu! Thou sons of hell! Our thoughts and support are still needed  to the people of Gaza, and the people of Israel who hate the war. Protest in any way you can! And don’t give up hope. ‘True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.’

In this time of turmoil and hope I give you this familiar promo for the book Shakespeare calling – the book. Indie authors like me always need support, even now when book signings and lectures can again be scheduled. Only on the Internet can I reach people like you, who are interested in Shakespeare would like to support the Shakespeare Calling project. I do so hope you will help me by ordering the book online. Any sales I make of this book will go directly to Doctors without Borders for their work in Gaza Just let me know and I’ll send the money forthwith. You can also order directly from me. Just write me an email. Thank you.

The book is available for those of you in Great Britain and parts of Europe on this site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/9163782626/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1514378301&sr=8-1

 

Also available on http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Calling-book-Ruby-Jand/dp/9163782626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436073737&sr=1-1&keywords=Ruby+Jand+shakespeare+calling

Or in Sweden

http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789163782626/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

or Adlibris. Or contact the publisher info@vulkan.se

 

I would be thrilled to get an email from you if you bought the book. rubyjandshakespearecalling@gmail.com

 

Shakespeare sightings:

• In the film Tillsammans 99 one of the characters has become a theatre director and directed a well-received production of Hamlet.
• In the novel The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams the word ‘distrustful’ was exampled by a quote from Shakespeare. I’m surprised that half the words sent to the compilation weren’t from Shakespeare! Also one of the main characters friends was a celebrated actor performing as Beatrice.

 

Films with a Shakespeare connection seen this month - see reviews on https://rubyjandsfilmblog.blogspot.com/

 

• Crimson Peak – Tom Hiddleston is in The Hollow Crown
• Tillsammans 99 (Together 99) - Jonas Karlsson was in The Tempest at Sweden’s Dramatic Theatre
• Beau Is Afraid - Nathan Lane is in Love’s Labour’s Lost
• A Prairie Home Companion - Kevin Kline is in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet.
• Corsage - Colin Morgan was in the Globe production of The Tempest.
• Les Misérables 1978 - Cyril Cusack, John Gielgood and Ian Holm have all appeared in many Shakespeare films and theatre productions.
• Aliens3 - Shakespeare connections: Brian Glover is in Prince of Jutland, Ralph Brown is in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Danny Webb is in Henry V, Twelfth Night, Pete Postlethwaite is in Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet
• Prometheus - Michael Fassbender is in Macbeth.
• Alien Covenant - Michael Fassbender is in Macbeth. Carmen Ejogo is in Love’s Labour’s Lost
• Alien Resurrection - Winona Ryder is in Looking for Richard

Further since last time: 

• Our local theatre project remains on the shelf for the time being until various issues with the cast are resolved. 

Posted this month:

• This report 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/
• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/

 

 

September 2024

 

September 2024

 

…beauteous spring to yellow autumn turn’d…

 

And sadly, our thoughts still go Gaza. One day, I hope to be able to quote something about peace, but again, sadly, I repeat what I have repeated for far too long:

‘O war! thou son of hell’ O Putin! O Netanyahu! Thou sons of hell! Our thoughts and support are still needed  to the people of Gaza, and the people of Israel who hate the war. Protest in any way you can! And don’t give up hope. ‘True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.’

In this time of turmoil and hope I give you this familiar promo for the book Shakespeare calling – the book. Indie authors like me always need support, even now when book signings and lectures can again be scheduled. Only on the Internet can I reach people like you, who are interested in Shakespeare would like to support the Shakespeare Calling project. I do so hope you will help me by ordering the book online. Any sales I make of this book will go directly to Doctors without Borders for their work in Gaza Just let me know and I’ll send the money forthwith. You can also order directly from me. Just write me an email. Thank you.

The book is available for those of you in Great Britain and parts of Europe on this site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/9163782626/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1514378301&sr=8-1

 

Also available on http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Calling-book-Ruby-Jand/dp/9163782626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436073737&sr=1-1&keywords=Ruby+Jand+shakespeare+calling

Or in Sweden

http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789163782626/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

or Adlibris. Or contact the publisher info@vulkan.se 

I would be thrilled to get an email from you if you bought the book. rubyjandshakespearecalling@gmail.com

 

Shakespeare sightings:

• In the book Awe by Dacher Keltner Shakespeare is mentioned three times:
• The endings of Hamlet and Antony and Cleopatra brought a feeling of awe in poet Robert Haas.
• In the Dark Ages, says the author, literature such as Shakespeare, cause awe in audiences, ‘as they still do’ Oh yes.
• An ex-con relates how reading Shakespeare gave him awe and changed his life.
• In the novel Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach, the high schoolers are assigned to act out a scene from Macbeth.
• In the novel After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell, the main character is in a coma but wanders through her memories. She’s upset that she doesn’t remember the lines from King Lear.
• In the film The Pianist the main character’s brother is reading Shylock’s monolog while waiting for the train.  

Films with a Shakespeare connection seen this month - see reviews on https://rubyjandsfilmblog.blogspot.com/ 

• Amsterdam – Christian Bale is in Hamlet
• Let Him Go – Diane Lane and Kevin Costner are in Shakespeare spin-off in The Glass House and The Postman.
• The Glassblower’s Children – Stellan Skarsgård and Pernilla August are in Hamlet.
• A History of Violence - Ed Harris is in Cymbeline.
• The Pianist - Roman Polanski directed Macbeth. Maureen Lipmanis in Love’s Labour’s Lost. 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/
• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/ 

Further since last time:

• Put our local theatre project on the shelf for the time being until various issues with the cast are resolved.

Posted this month:

• This report 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/
• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/

 

 

 

August 2024

 

August 2024

 

Summer’s lease hath all too short a date…It’s already August...

 

And sadly, our thoughts still go to Gaza. One day, I hope to be able to quote something about peace, but again, sadly, I repeat what I have repeated for far too long:

‘O war! thou son of hell’ O Netanyahu! Thou son of hell! Our thoughts and support are still needed to the people of Gaza, and the people of Israel who hate the war. Protest in any way you can! And don’t give up hope. ‘True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.’

In this time of turmoil and hope I give you this familiar promo for the book Shakespeare calling – the book. Indie authors like me always need support, even now when book signings and lectures can again be scheduled. Only on the Internet can I reach people like you, who are interested in Shakespeare would like to support the Shakespeare Calling project. I do so hope you will help me by ordering the book online. Any sales I make of this book will go directly to Doctors without Borders for their work in  Gaza as long as the war lasts. Just let me know and I’ll send the money forthwith. You can also order directly from me. Just write me an email. Thank you.

 I am also sending contributions to Doctors without Borders and other organisations who are helping Gaza.

The book is available for those of you in Great Britain and parts of Europe on this site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/9163782626/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1514378301&sr=8-1

 

Also available on http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Calling-book-Ruby-Jand/dp/9163782626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436073737&sr=1-1&keywords=Ruby+Jand+shakespeare+calling

Or in Sweden

http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789163782626/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

or Adlibris. Or contact the publisher info@vulkan.se

 

I would be thrilled to get an email from you if you bought the book. rubyjandshakespearecalling@gmail.com

 

Shakespeare sightings:

• In the Danish police series Unit One (Rejseholdet), the villain of one of the episodes lives in Stratford upon Avon, which prompts several comments about Shakespeare, and in another episode, the brother of one of the murder victims is a scenographer currently doing a student production of Romeo and Juliet. And in another, they’re in Elsinore and they pass a statue of Hamlet.

 

Films with a Shakespeare connection seen this month - see reviews on https://rubyjandsfilmblog.blogspot.com/

 

• Filth – John Sessions is in The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, In the Bleak Midwinter, Henry V. Jim Broadbent is in Richard III. Shirley Henderson is in The Taming of the Shrew Retold.
• Escape from Sobibor - Jack Gold directed The Merchant of Venice.
• Dark Water - Tim Roth is in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Pete Postlethwaite is in Romeo and Juliet.
• A Handfull of Dust - Kristin Scott Thomas is in Richard III. Judi Dench is in Shakespeare in Love, Henry V, Hamlet, Macbeth.
• Nowhere Boy - Kristin Scott- Thomas is in Richard III. David Threlfall is in King Lear. Paul Ritter is in The Hollow Crown.
• Dear Wendy - Bill Pullman is in Cymbeline
• Thor Ragnarök - Hiddleston, Hopkins and Cumberbatch play Shakespeare.
• Assault on Precinct 13: Ethan Hawke is in Hamlet, Laurence Fishburne is in Othello, John Leguizamo is in Cymbeline
•  

 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/
• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/

 

Shakespeare Calling: July 2024 (rubyjandshakespearecalling.blogspot.com)

 

Further since last time:

• Read: Shakespeare and Race edited by Ayanna Thompson
• Continued reading : Henry IV Part One

 

Posted this month:

• This report
• Review of The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Race

 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/
• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/

 

The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Race

 

The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Race

Edited by Ayanna Thompson

 

Even without the cover with Adrian Lester, one of the best Shakespearean actors today, I would have bought this book, which I did at the Globe shop in London in October 2023. It’s a subject that interests me very much and I was looking forward to some deep analyses of the plays.

Unfortunately, there is little of that. Most of the essays are about the presence of black Africans in Shakespeare’s England, the first black actors to do this and that, and modern interpretations. Interesting, of course, but not as enlightening as I had hoped.

The two best essays in the book are: 1) Noémie Ndiyae’s text ‘Shakespeare, Race, And Globalization’ in which she uses Timon of Athens to analyse the growth of capitalism and its role in increasing racism from the 16^th century to the present, and 2) Adrian’s Lester’s thoughts on playing Othello as a black general in a modern army. I would so loved to have seen that.

Despite its lackings, it’s an important book. I recommend it.

July 2024

 

July 2024

 

Here's flowers for you; Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram; The marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun And with him rises weeping: these are flowers of middle summer

And middle summer it already is here in Sweden and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. 

 

But sadly, our thoughts still go to the Ukrainians, to Gaza. One day, I hope to be able to quote something about peace, but again, sadly, I repeat what I have repeated for far too long:

‘O war! thou son of hell’ O Putin! O Netanyahu! Thou sons of hell! Our thoughts and support are still needed to the people of Ukraine, and the people of Russian who hate this war, and now the people of Gaza, and the people of Israel who hate the war. Protest in any way you can! And don’t give up hope. ‘True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings.’

In this time of turmoil and hope I give you this familiar promo for the book Shakespeare calling – the book. Indie authors like me always need support, even now when book signings and lectures can again be scheduled. Only on the Internet can I reach people like you, who are interested in Shakespeare would like to support the Shakespeare Calling project. I do so hope you will help me by ordering the book online. Any sales I make of this book will go directly to Doctors without Borders for their work in Ukraine and Gaza as long as the war lasts. Just let me know and I’ll send the money forthwith. You can also order directly from me. Just write me an email. Thank you.

Anyone from Ukraine – send me an email and I will send you the book free of charge. Anyone from Palestine – send me an email and I will send you the book free of charge. I am also sending contributions to Doctors without Borders and other organisations who are helping the Ukraine and Gaza.

The book is available for those of you in Great Britain and parts of Europe on this site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/9163782626/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1514378301&sr=8-1

 

Also available on http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Calling-book-Ruby-Jand/dp/9163782626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436073737&sr=1-1&keywords=Ruby+Jand+shakespeare+calling

Or in Sweden

http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789163782626/shakespeare-calling-the-book/

or Adlibris. Or contact the publisher info@vulkan.se

 

I would be thrilled to get an email from you if you bought the book. rubyjandshakespearecalling@gmail.com

 

Shakespeare sightings:

• Julie Hesmondhalgh mentions Shakespeare several times in her brilliant and wonderful book An Actor’s Alphabet – an A to Z of Some Stuff I’ve Learnt and some stuff I’m Still Learning
• An Atlas of Impossible Longing by Anuradha Roy – Mrs Barnum had explained Shakespeare to Mukunda, but did that help him know if she had killed her husband or not?
• Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel – of course there are reference to Shakespeare.
• In the film Hot Fuzz two amateur actors do Romeo and Juliet. The reviews are murderous.

 

Films with a Shakespeare connection seen this month - see reviews on https://rubyjandsfilmblog.blogspot.com/ 

• Vinyan – Rufus Sewell is in The Taming of the Shrew Re-Told
• Colossal - Tim Blake Nelson is in Hamlet.
• Argo - Ben Affleck is in Shakespeare in Love.
• Mama - Jessica Chastain is in Coriolanus.
• A Thousand Kisses Deep - Allan Corduner is in The Merchant of Venice.
• London River - Brenda Blethyn is in Henry VI Part One and King Lear.
• On Chesil Beach - Dominic Cooke is the director of three episodes of The Hollow Crown.
• Walkabout - Jenny Agutter is in Love’s Labour’s Lost.
• Bad Samaritan - David Tennant is in Hamlet, Richard II and Much Ado about Nothing.
• Noah - Anthony Hopkins is in Titus.
• Smoke - Harold Perrineau Jr is in Romeo and Juliet.
• Eden Lake - Michael Fassbender is in Macbeth.
• Uncertainty - Lynn Collins is in The Merchant of Venice.
• A Somewhat Gentle Man - Stellan Skarsgård is in Hamlet.
• Mr Right - Tim Roth is in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
• How I Won the War - Michael Horden is in Cymbeline and King Lear
• Shaun of the Dead - Penelope Wilton is in King Lear and Othello
• Hot Fuzz - Jim Broadbent is in Richard III. Karl Johnson is in The Tempest. Ron Cook is in The Merchant of Venice, Richard III, Henry VI Parts 1, 2 and 3, The Merry Wives of Windsor

 

Further since last time:

• Started reading aloud to myself: Henry IV Part One
• Watched on DVD: David Tennant’s RSC version of Richard II.
• Wrote and now posted: a new text on Richard II.
• Premiered: our local theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (En midsommarnattsdröm). It was a brilliant success!

 

Posted this month:

• This report
• This scept’red stone, this precious stone in Richard II Shakespeare Calling: This scept’red isle, this precious stone in Richard II (rubyjandshakespearecalling.blogspot.com)

 

Shakespeare Calling – the book is promoted by http://shakespearesallskapet.se/

 

Read more about my alter ego’s books, in one of which Shakespeare appears live and in person, on:

• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/shakespeare-calling-the-book/
• https://themerlinchronicles.wordpress.com/ruby-and-shakespeare/spoiler-merlin-and-shakespeare/

 

 

 

This scept’red isle, this precious stone in Richard II

 

This scept’red isle, this precious stone 

in 

Richard II 

                      When did England become England? In 1016 the Kingdom of England became part of the union with Denmark and Norway under Cnut the Great. So, by name England but still not alone. 1066 is of course the date we all remember, when England became French, sort of. With Henry II (reigned 1154-1189) the kings became more English in nature. Ireland was invaded in 1169 (that went well, didn’t it?). Edward I added Wales to the kingdom (lucky Wales, eh?) and Edward III made England a military power and developed its parliament. Thank you, Wikipedia. You’re a gem.

                      So we come to Richard II, grandson of Edward III but not even born in England. He was born in France, as was his second wife Isabella. So already there we have a connection between England and the world. That is part of the paradox. Is England of the world or not?

In John of Gaunt’s oft cited monolog on how Richard is threatening the kingdom he lauds

 

‘this scept’red isle…this England…

…This fortress built by Nature for herself

Against infection and the hand of war

This happy breed of men, this little world,

This precious stone set in the silver sea…

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm this England…

Renowned…far from home,

For Christian service and true chivalry…

…this dear, dear land

Dear for her reputation through the world… (Act II Scene 1)

 

Again the paradox. An isolated blessed island, created and protected by nature, but known in the world (the world known by Europeans).

Consider then Mowbry’s grief at being banished:

 

A heavy sentence…

…to be cast forth in the common air…

My native English, now I must forgo…

What is thy sentence then but speechless death,

Which robs my tongue from breathing native breath?

…Then thus I turn me from my country’s light

To dwell in solemn shades of endless night. (Act I Scene 3)

 

Though he will be allowed to return Bolingbroke too is upset at being exiled and will remember:

…what a deal of world I wander from the jewels that I love…

…England’s ground, farewell;

Sweet soil, adieu,

My mother, and my nurse, that bears me yet!

Where’er I wander, boast of this I can,

Though banish’d, yet a trueborn English man. (Act I Scene 3)

 

Of course King Richard himself refers often to England through the repeated word ‘earth’, implying English earth. Of Bolingbroke he says in accusing him of causing a war for the throne:

 

Ten thousand bloody crowns of mothers’ sons

Shall ill become the flower of England’s face…

…and bedew

Her pasture’s grass with faithful English blood (Act III Scene 3)

 

The gardener refers to England as ‘our sea-walled garden’) Act III Scene 4). The Bishop Carlisle compares the Christian England to ‘…black pagans, Turks and Saracens’ and goes on to predict that under Henry IV ‘the blood of English shall manure the ground…/Peace shall go sleep with Turks and infidels.’ (Act IV Scene 1)

Henry ends the play by condemning the murder of Richard as a ‘slander…upon my head and all this famous land…’ and vows to ‘make a voyage to the Holy Land.’ (Act V Scene 4)

Throughout the play the characters are acutely aware of their Englishness, their isolation their protection as an island from the Other. But they’re also are aware of those Others and their uneasy position at the edge of the world, their anxiety over becoming a part of that world.

Shakespeare’s play is not regarded by historians as the gospel truth, nor was that his intention. He lived in an England with a violent identity crisis, flexing its history muscles in an expanding world. Creating its history is always important to any budding nation. England was blooming, its history was becoming important. Shakespeare knew this, and wrote plays about it, capturing, as always, the complexities, the paradoxes and the humanity. He was, after all, the creator of humanism.

 

13 June 2024