General Chat

Who couldn't adore the character Falstaff? I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough: swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house not above once in a quarter—of an hour; paid money that I borrowed three or four times; lived well and in good compass; and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. So he lied a little, was cowardly, and prone to exaggeration - but he recognised his frailties Beth :)

Othello or Macbeth.

Ah, yes, Dan, but think what fun could be had, turning up in the middle of the night as a blood-stained apparition! HaHaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! CB >|<

He got killed too in it. Wasn't too clever that day.

Ooooh! Excitement! Maybe I should change my opinion of the Old Bard after all. It seems he featured one of my ancestors in one of his most famous plays! Trying to find out more about my Stewart ancestry, I found a website that says the family records its traditional descent from Banquo, Thane of Lochaber, who was a character in Shakespeare's 'MacBeth'. Apparently, Banquo was 'brave and ambitious', but this was 'tempered by intelligence'. He appeared as a ghost to MacBeth, representing his conscience. I like the bit about 'intelligence'! LOL CB >|<

Allie, I was forced to study a wide range of Shakespeare plays for seven years at school, including being dragged along to various London performances. It just never 'grabbed' me at all. Maybe Chaucer was a bit closer to home - I was born, and lived my first 22 years, in the London Borough of Southwark, and I spent a great deal of time in Kent when I was young. I also admired his wit and found his language more of a challenge. Horses for courses, I think. CB >|<

I am afraid i have to agree with CB on this one, although the modern translations of his plays are excellent, i find trying to read Shakespeare is like wading through Mud! :))

Mornin' CB! Have to agree about Chaucer - but do you really like it in the original Olde English? I know most people don't, but I love it!!!! Shakespeare done well (in the original) is easy to get into, and his use of language ----- well, it can never be beaten. (don't get me started : - )) Parting is such sweet sorrow! (but have to get some work done today!) Cheers Allie x

LOL Daisy, I have no problem with the plots, settings and characters he chose, it's just - to quote a line from 'Cool for Cats' by Squeeze - 'It's the language she don't need'. I cannot bear all that long-winded, flowery verbiage. Fine, if it's translated into modern English, but all that Elizabethan stuff doesn't appeal to me at all. The same goes for the King James Bible translation. Now, Chaucer's a different story - I can read 'The Canterbury Tales' till the cows come home - strange, I know, but that's me! ;>))) CB >|<

Midsummer Night's Dream...lovely to lose oneself in. Rebs x

erm..I've not read much. For standard grade I studied Macbeth and Merchant of Venice. I like Shylock. Lucia

I love all Shakespeare, but Hamlet's always good if you want a good cry! Jan

Oooh! At school we did Romeo & Juliet (and went to see it at Open Air Theatre in Regents Park), Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Macbeth (O-level) and King Lear & Measure for Measure (A-level). I found - and still do find - King Lear very difficult. Macbeth was great to do for O-level - its the shortest Shakespeare play, has no complicated subplots, two great female characters and I love the way that the murders alter Macbeth & Lady Macbeth, its completely convincing psychologically. I agree with David that Emilia in Othello is a great character - a relatively small part but she has some cracking lines, both when discussing infidelity with Desdemona and at the end when she stands up to Iago and Othello. I've seen lots of fabulous Royal Shakespeare Company productions, but my favourites were Sinead Cusack and Alun Armstrong in The Taming of the Shrew (Sinead actually fell off stage in the performance I went to!) and Richard III with Antony Sher. Brilliant! nell

Note to self. Pay attention to the question asked! Favourite character? Iago, what a devil. Why Othello? Perfect location, simple age old plot of jealousy, wonderful imagery and entirely credible. Daisy

Othello without a doubt. And CB is this the first time you and I have disagreed? lol I ADORE SHAKESPEARE. Daisy

Taming of the Shrew. I just love the play - Kate is such a wonderful creation, although the ending is a bit soppy. My favourite to play was Lady Macbeth. Gwynne

Allie, I don't think either of those two ladies needed any poet to 'flesh them out'! Their reputations were set in stone long before old Will flounced onto the scene. LOL CB >|<

Definitely King Lear. Second choice Othello

Am ever so slightly ashamed to say I've not read a single word of Shakespeare !

We also did Midsummer's Night Dream and I thoroughly enjoyed it I suppose it has to be a favourite. I loved the old 1930's film with Micky Rooney as Puck & James Cagney as Bottom a classic. Really need to look out for that film brilliant, never mind the remake the old one is far better :-))) Pat x