Showing posts with label Shakespearean Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shakespearean Summer. Show all posts

Monday, August 31, 2009

Hamlet (Play)


In this play, Shakespeare goes paranormal. Hamlet thought his father was a great man. He was devastated by his death. After his mother remarries to his uncle not long after, he becomes angry. How could she forget one man in favor of another so quickly? Then he encounters his father’s ghost. The ghost tells him of how its death was not an accident as it appeared but instead a horrid murder. Macbeth will avenge his father’s death, if things go as planned.


I think this was my favorite play that I read as part of this challenge. It had a good bit of romance in it, as well plenty of tragedy. My favorite part about this was that there was a play within the play. I thought that was neat. Sort of like when a character in a book reads a book.


This was a bit of a longer play, and I felt like parts of it dragged on a bit. There was so much anticipation, and I was never exactly sure where things were going. Things ended quite interestingly. Plus, it was nice to know which play the famous quote "To thine own self be true." came from.

I now feel as if I'm just a bit more well read after reading some of Shakespeare's plays. This post is my final post as part of A Shakespearean Summer Challenge which ends today. What can I say? Procrastination is my friend.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Macbeth (Play)


When you want to be an undisputed king, how far would you go to get rid of your competition? Follow Macbeth and his friends and family as lives are lost, guilt is dealt with, and learn just how short life can be.


Since this was a Shakespearean tragedy, there was a whole bunch of, well, tragedy. Although I found the constant plotting and killing a bit tiresome, overall I really enjoyed this play. I found myself reading it aloud to myself simply to hear the way the words rolled. It's quite lyrical.

Sometimes I found myself wondering if the characters were just acting crazy or if they actually had some sort of mental problem. I found myself shaking my head at their actions more than once. Now I've added another play that I want to see on stage, as it was meant to be seen. It certainly was interesting.

This review was part of A Shakespearean Summer, hosted by Liv's Book Reviews.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Shakespearean Summer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

This post is part of the Shakespearean Summer, hosted by Liv's Book Reviews.

For my first play, I chose A Midsummer Night's Dream. I thought it would be fun to observe the fairies that I very much enjoyed in Eyes Like Stars in their original surroundings.

What a play! It was very amusing and completely confusing. The reader is just along for the ride on this adventure, with no idea where anything, or anyone, is going to end up. There are a lot of characters. Everyone has their own agenda, and although I had trouble keeping everybody straight, I enjoyed it.

After reading the play, I went to the library and picked up the 1999 film version. That definitely helped to clear up some of the confusion I had. One day, I hope to see this play on stage, as it was meant to be seen. I leave you with the closing lines of the play from Puck, a fairy:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Shakespearean Summer

Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights of all time, right? Today, though, most of the reading of his plays that goes on is required school reading. Liv, over at Liv's Book Reviews has come up with a challenge for everyone to read three Shakespeare Plays by August 31 this summer. This challenge is being sponsored by Lisa Mantchev, and those who complete it will be entered into a drawing to win:


1. a signed hardcover of Lisa Mantchev's debut novel, Eyes Like Stars
2. a fabulous prize,TBD
3. an invitation to do a guest post on the series' website Théâtre Illuminata.

How awesome is that? To get the rest of the information, as well as sign up head over to the original post.

Personally, I've only read one Shakespeare play. It was Romeo and Juliet for my English 1 course. I absolutely loved the plot, although I just wanted to knock the two main characters over the head, most of the time. It made the cynical side of me come out. I'm really looking forward to reading more of his work. You should give it a try too!

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