tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.comments2014-03-19T20:16:13.910-04:00My words fly up ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15472280671686941172noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-24999670046359240272013-06-26T16:19:03.725-04:002013-06-26T16:19:03.725-04:00Thanks! I think it was definitely good to get the ...Thanks! I think it was definitely good to get the writing juices flowing again. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15472280671686941172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-2132240103026718192013-06-26T15:52:21.379-04:002013-06-26T15:52:21.379-04:00I don't have anything intelligent to add to th...I don't have anything intelligent to add to this conversation, but I'm glad you sat down to write and remember why you started producing shows to begin with. They seem so much a part of you, and your description of raw gets me excited to see theater performed that way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16599555725289938761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-78231655899263900822012-10-10T01:07:56.886-04:002012-10-10T01:07:56.886-04:00I really like the Derek Jarman Edward II. I have i...I really like the Derek Jarman Edward II. I have it on VHS somewhere but it's now in fairly ragged shape. Luckily, it's on YouTube in its entirety on a whole Jarman channel (?!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuEsUVQnURE I was always struck by it's very stark and shadowy style, a style that I can't help but think that Richard Eyre tried to appropriate for his BBC version of Lear with Ian Holm. (Also, the whole production is on YouTube. Wow, what a Science Fiction time we live in, ehh?) I think that Jarman succeeded in presenting the story of the doomed king very much in the manner of the dark nightmare that Marlowe seemed to evoke in the text. The cast is terrific, with an especially strong early showing of Tilda Swinton. So... yeah... I liked this Edward II. <br /><br />Glad you're having fun with your collection. Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04899240792656841153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-51268259989034080832012-10-04T17:18:48.075-04:002012-10-04T17:18:48.075-04:00RIght, but it's a generational thing, don'...RIght, but it's a generational thing, don't forget. By the time Shakespeare got around to Henry V (and probably 2 Henry IV), history, both as print and as drama, was coming under increasing scrutiny by the powers that be. One of the best theories for the difference between Q Henry V and F Henry V, for instance, is that much of the text became politically inconvenient either after composition, or between performance and composition, and that's right around the end of the 1590s. <br /><br />By the time we start seeing Middleton, Fletcher, and Decker ascendant on the EM stage, city plays (comedies and tragedies) were on the rise, and different tastes in entertainment were (apparently) in favor. You can see this in Shakespeare's own work: Henry VIII (and arguably Cymbeline) is a history play, but are markedly different from the earlier histories. My guess is that battle field exploits lost most of the allure the Armada victory might have given them after the disasters in Ireland, and an English History play is, at its core, a chance for lots of guys with swords to fight one another.<br /><br />Which is all to say that if you're looking for prolific writers of English histories, I suggest looking in the 1590s, and starting with the most prolific writer of the period: Mr. Anonymous. Tony Tambascohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11834541469560452051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-63828935110656474972012-10-02T21:15:53.128-04:002012-10-02T21:15:53.128-04:00It sure seems though that most authors wrote only ...It sure seems though that most authors wrote only one or two English histories. As an individual, Shakespeare is pretty prolific. Are there other authors that I'm missing who wrote so many? I guess that's partly what I meant by "corners the market" -- certainly he's cornered the market of my list here.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15472280671686941172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-3846584853132345992012-10-01T11:19:46.566-04:002012-10-01T11:19:46.566-04:00Sorry wrong link --
http://www.lostplays.org/inde...Sorry wrong link --<br /><br />http://www.lostplays.org/index.php/Main_Page Steve Mentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927244468764583378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-92128665523544423342012-10-01T11:18:34.119-04:002012-10-01T11:18:34.119-04:00Be careful about "corners the market." C...Be careful about "corners the market." Certainly in terms of fame and production, but there are many more non-Shakespearean than Shakespearean history plays, esp. if we count lost plays the titles of which survive. Have you seen the "Lost Plays Database"? <br /><br />https://www.google.com/calendar/render?pli=1&gsessionid=XHfAJC1L7S78JUAAUwEF-wSteve Mentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927244468764583378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-62574889853277085142012-03-30T19:54:49.593-04:002012-03-30T19:54:49.593-04:00I like the text-wrestling here. It seems right to...I like the text-wrestling here. It seems right to me that compulsion v freely given lies at the heart of the speech, though perhaps also that means that Shylock *can't* be merciful, b/c he's not free from (social, legal) compulsion. Might that be why only monarchs can give free mercy? They are, at least in theory, without compulsion.<br /><br />I too like the images of "seasons," and I think the word appears a few other times in the play. You're probably right about its primary meaning here, but some of the other meanings, including the one from cooking, are also at play. I'd like to see you dig into this word and how it pushes back against all rigid mercy-or-not, justice-or-else readings of the trial scene.<br /><br />I look forward to hearing more when you start writing, as opposed to reading! Remember, it's OK to go back to reading even after you make the big shift.<br /><br />I'd also suggest that you use one or two good legal sources for "equity" in an early modern context. I don't know what they are off the top of my head, but I bet your bibliography does.Steve Mentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927244468764583378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-20393034161518038932012-03-28T08:38:55.049-04:002012-03-28T08:38:55.049-04:00A nice set of observations about how Portia distin...A nice set of observations about how Portia distinguishes mercy and justice, deflecting the latter onto the monarch. It also seems to me that this speech takes a position on the old question -- we might think of it as the *Richard II* question -- of whether Kings are human or divine. To be merciful as a monarch means to take on the divine role, to embody the Godly more than the human aspects of the god-man hybrid which is kingship. <br /><br />I agree with you that readings of Portia's con over-state the degree to which she mediates between simply arguing for Bassanio's (and her own) financial/personal interests and her refusal to take power herself. I think such con-centered readings are opposing themselves to older, often explicitly theological, justifications of Portia against Shylock. (Once upon a time, such readings would have been overtly anti-Semetic, but not so much recently.) To believe Portia argues in good faith, however, need not imply that she's entirely objective.<br /><br />Also, if we're thinking about how the killing gets stopped, the mercy speech is a red herring. It's the hyper-literal drop of blood that keeps the knife out of the flesh.<br /><br />Finally, I wonder what the verb "seasons" does in Portia's phrase "mercy seasons justice." The metaphor comes from cooking, but Shakespeare seems to use it also to mean alleviate or moderate (OED). Maybe this word is worth puzzling over?Steve Mentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927244468764583378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-26809297345094222992011-11-15T17:26:22.858-05:002011-11-15T17:26:22.858-05:00Hallelujah, you are preaching to the choir! I thin...Hallelujah, you are preaching to the choir! I think it's ok to stop working, though, and take time for yourself. Otherwise, you will burn out. We all need a mental health day now and then :)Good luck with the end of the semester. Miss you, cube buddy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743634961727582102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-86163288136816711142011-11-09T20:04:25.601-05:002011-11-09T20:04:25.601-05:00Love you babe. And to quote one of my favorite quo...Love you babe. And to quote one of my favorite quotable plays, "Well whatever the hell it is you do, we're damned proud of you." :)Mondeskindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432938163407888170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-67461313152494402832011-09-03T21:50:45.357-04:002011-09-03T21:50:45.357-04:00The body is with the King, but the King is not wit...The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The king is a thing . . . of nothing.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17967092291209651865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-83368885648255815212011-03-10T23:45:32.524-05:002011-03-10T23:45:32.524-05:00"Dear readers" just makes me wish you..."Dear readers" just makes me wish you'd write a whole post in the voice of Wizard People.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17967092291209651865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-73711700872673276622011-03-05T11:29:35.912-05:002011-03-05T11:29:35.912-05:00I really think you should submit this paper for a ...I really think you should submit this paper for a conference or something. I think many people would be interested in this doubling of actors and your ideas on vengeance. It goes beyond the typical academic exploration and moves into performance, and I think it's a side most of us grad students rarely get to experience.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743634961727582102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-52496208973887865322011-02-23T14:58:02.279-05:002011-02-23T14:58:02.279-05:00Thanks for that entry. I really Love all that see...Thanks for that entry. I really Love all that seeming pickiness when it comes to Shakespeare. That pickiness leads to the true meaning and also helps me understand what is being said when my mind gets muddled.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480310561914052310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-21877612599233394362011-02-03T17:26:59.817-05:002011-02-03T17:26:59.817-05:00Tara,
Congratulations!! That is fabulous news! I ...Tara,<br /><br />Congratulations!! That is fabulous news! I read and understood (at least partially) the premise and it sounds really interesting! I've never seen/read Titus Andronicus but I saw The Tempest many years ago. <br /><br />Congrats! And good luck!<br />ClaraBeing Refinedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10424906158586985107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-53943378816803776912011-01-24T23:35:31.365-05:002011-01-24T23:35:31.365-05:00Thank you for your lovely words!! I think it makes...Thank you for your lovely words!! I think it makes more sense if you're familiar with both plays -- it is definitely a "niche" work! But seriously, your comment warmed my heart. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15472280671686941172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-56181715460974693672011-01-24T18:06:37.867-05:002011-01-24T18:06:37.867-05:00OK, so I understand NOTHING from your article, exc...OK, so I understand NOTHING from your article, except this: it is beautiful and intellectual and my lord woman, you are farking brilliant. I mean, I don't study Shakespear, so I don't understand what you're saying, really. But I read it, really read it. And was incredibly impressed with your writing and my inability to comprehend it. :) You are awesome. Write on, my friend, write on!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12332881929703403783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-76492758638088196812011-01-21T17:52:44.585-05:002011-01-21T17:52:44.585-05:00I also had jitters last semester and worried if th...I also had jitters last semester and worried if the other kids would like me. :) Wish I could come seeeeeeee!Mondeskindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432938163407888170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-39184534759063977062011-01-17T11:28:46.234-05:002011-01-17T11:28:46.234-05:00Hey girlfriend! You're going to a great job, a...Hey girlfriend! You're going to a great job, and I can't wait to see one of your company's performances. Being an insider gives you a view point that outsiders simply can't have =) Good luck (and see your adorable self tomorrow)!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743634961727582102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-91814102963838499602011-01-15T15:42:46.665-05:002011-01-15T15:42:46.665-05:00I am also excited to see how having an actual dire...I am also excited to see how having an actual director changes the process for each actor individually as well as each production as a whole. Having gone through several RAW productions - I feel a slight sense of relief at knowing that there will be ONE set of eyes and ears overseeing things. I would like to imagine that having a director will provide a more balanced or unifying element - that of an entire company creating one whole piece as opposed to a dozen people all hacking away at producing their own work of art. Not that I've felt overwhelmingly in the past that we've all been running around completely disconnected from one another, but that there will now be someone responsible for putting a finishing "frame" around the piece, even though each actor will still have a great amount of freedom in comparison with other rehearsal processes/styles. Does any of this make sense? <br /><br />What other horribly inept metaphors can I come up with for having a director this time around? - oh I know! Kind of like the leader of a jazz group, if that strikes a (oh jeez) chord with anyone. :)Aunt Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10627481210248714904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-17739768081225521742010-12-15T14:18:47.544-05:002010-12-15T14:18:47.544-05:00isn't it crazy? i miss having long hair... but...isn't it crazy? i miss having long hair... but not that long.<br /><br />good luck on your last few days too!!! we'll make it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15472280671686941172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-17659351543047947372010-12-15T11:06:04.400-05:002010-12-15T11:06:04.400-05:00Oh, hey, look at your long hair! =) A good stabbi...Oh, hey, look at your long hair! =) A good stabbing always makes me feel better at finals time (of course, finishing two of them is also a major stress reliever). And your shriek is quite awesome. Good luck on your last few days, my friend!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743634961727582102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-63995947756307650192010-11-17T23:53:08.147-05:002010-11-17T23:53:08.147-05:00"Every performance has a voice." That..."Every performance has a voice." That's quite profound. It also sounds like there is no essential authentic voice, no perfect performance that should be reproduced over and over once discovered. It sounds like authentic means something very different in the context of performance.<br /><br />And I guess I'm still wondering... who is judging authenticity and what is it based on? Is it being authentic to the character? Authentic to the style of the actor? Authentic to the director's vision? Performance is so collaboration and so ever-changing, I'm wondering from whose perspective "authentic" should be defined.<br /><br />You might want to check out Walker Gibson's article (I forget what it's called right now, but it's on our Wiki). It short, but it addresses multiple voices/authenticity/style. IDK that it will help, but it might be worth a try.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09743634961727582102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1130077520511008308.post-67943725263382089242010-11-17T14:47:58.488-05:002010-11-17T14:47:58.488-05:00I love your reaction to and discussion of voice be...I love your reaction to and discussion of voice being needed to be heard, not just stated. Two important sides of the coin. And I completely agree that voice can even be dance or music. Also even a piece of artwork. Don't tell me there isn't a voice in paintings and sculpture. And yes if the audience doesn't mull it over and chew it up a bit, the performance is just time-wasted fluff.Mondeskindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432938163407888170noreply@blogger.com