Dick Arms:
How to give a grade to Shakespeare?
I suggest limited reading. From
the standpoint of ideas, he is fascinating.
The Old King in his story is now changing his will. Great literature: Some
of it is awfully contrived, coincidence heavy.
I give it an A because it is Shakespeare.
Bob Simon:
I give it an A also. I
was in Paris in May at a private home art collection: from Gelato to Caravaggio (a leading exponent
of Baroque art). His painting of a snake
in the grapes reminds me of Shakespeare, who captivated the true human
condition and projected it to theater. Worthy of whatever grade – so compelling.
Rob Easterling:
Occasionally as an adult I have done some light reading of
Shakespeare. I appreciate your picking this,
aging parents in here, our offspring facing taking care of us. This is good for an aging men’s book club.
Lear needed a Turnover Plan. The first
two or three acts were tough for me, until I found the No Fear Shakespeare for King Lear. I give it an A, and I appreciated the
video.
Ron Bousek:
Charlie gets an A; as for the play, several considerations: 1) Difficult to understand; 2) Need outside
assistance; 3) Plot clever. Some redeeming
qualities. As a secondary grade: A; Primary: no grade.
Dick
Jensen: I have one daughter, and it
bugged me how fast emotions happen/change in this play. Edgar was taken out by Edmund’s oration. Can’t
see someone disowning his own favorite daughter. I don’t want to grade the damn thing. Told my wife, “I feel like I’m going to English Class
tonight.” Punt: A
Ken Gillen:
(sigh). As opposed to those who
read Shakespeare in High School or college, this is my first Shakespeare play
since high school. For the fun of it, I
started reading the center column, Act 1, Scene 1. If I continued, the grade would be D. I switched to the translated (novel), and it
was much more understandable, but still far-fetched. Still not my cup of tea, but grade went from
D to B. Not thinking, “Gee, what is the
next Shakespeare I want to read?”
Grade: B
Tom
Genoni: I’m with Tolstoy and Ira Glass –
the Emperor wears no clothes. The
translation was mildly interesting. The
value is in the language. The DVD acting
was way over the top. C
Mike B: When I think of Shakespeare, I think of Frank
McCourt in Angela’s Ashes discovering it for the first time: “I don't know what it means and I don't care because it's Shakespeare
and it's like having jewels in my mouth when I say the words.” Forget the plot,
this is 16th century entertainment, but the beauty is in the King’s
English. Very great kudos to Charlie for getting us the tools to enjoy this
ancient work. It was tough in high
school, but the phrases hang around today for me: “Nothing will come of nothing.” “Now, gods, stand up for bastards!” (words I live by). Hamlet may be better, Henry V ( St. Crispin’s
Day speech) are A, this is A-
Bob
Woods: I had always heard of this as
great literature, but I was not impressed.
The plot was a skeleton to hold vignettes on. The plot, play was contrived. About a B.
Keith: Concise summary: Tragedy is 5 acts: Defeat, Desperation, despair. [see the previous blog entry for the
Poetaster’s Leary Review] B
