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Too bad you had to spoil an otherwise interesting post with a cheap shot at “Anonymous” and people who just so happen don’t believe in your Stratfordian mythology. You write, “I’m not making any judgments here..” Really?
Richard Agemo — November 21, 2011
When looking at old scripts, you were reminded of some of Roderigo’s lines (or words) that were cut for this production, and that got me to wondering if the Shakespeare play scripts from the early 19th century closely follow what we consider today as the correct texts. I am wondering that because Restoration playwrights (Dryden and Davenant, for instance) sometimes made (many and sometimes very strange) changes to Shakespeare’s plays in order to make them more palatable to their audiences (makes you wonder what kind of people those people were—perhaps they weren’t interested in changing their brains). I am trying to remember the trajectory of interpretations of Shakespeare’s plays after the Restoration, and though I know that that information is in my brain, it has been a dreary day which encourages and, indeed, promotes neural lethargy, so I thought I would forgo thinking and ask you if you found the scripts of the early 19th century to closely resemble your own play script. I was going to end by drawing attention to the term “nut-shelling,” but I find it has been trumped by the term “Stratfordian mythology” (isn’t it gorgeous, the way it rolls trippingly off the tongue?). Yeah, I’m with that guy—how dare you believe in the work you do? Geesh.
Judy — November 22, 2011
@Richard – I’m thrilled to hear you thought the post was interesting! I didn’t think anyone was even reading any of this! Also, I’m sorry to hear you thought I was taking a “cheap shot.” I wasn’t. As I said in the sentence I devoted to the movie in question, “I actually liked the movie.” Also, I sincerely hope you followed the link to Eric Idle’s piece in the New Yorker.
Louis Butelli — November 22, 2011
@Judy – thank you so, so much for reading, and even more for responding.
I’m totally with you on Restoration-era reduxes, and some of the surreal things, in terms of scholarship and practical application, that came from those.
I’m also with you in considering that, in the 400-odd years that people have been putting on his plays, “Shakespeare” has become beloved of many, and understood by none. Everyone has their own experience of the stories, and none of those experiences are invalid.
On 19th century notions/applications – I would suggest consideration of the Astor Place Riot of 1849.
And thank you for believing in people believing in the work that they do, when they do it. Thank heavens for the opportunity to work at all!!!
Louis Butelli — November 22, 2011
Ah, yes. Very good. Theater riot. Those were the days. In this instance, the script was probably of no concern because the riot had mostly to do with the actors. So interesting how the meaning and importance of these plays (and of the actors) changes through time, which is why we still perform them. Thanks for responding and reminding me of this.
Judy — November 22, 2011
Shakespeare is the only thing that makes me regret being a kindergarten teacher. There is so much value, for our brains and our souls, in Shakespeare. I am determined to find a way to get a little bard into my curriculum even with the wee ones.
Alysia Scofield — November 22, 2011
@Alysia – thank you so much for reading and responding.
Please, please, pleeeease don’t ever regret being a kindergarten teacher, for any reason. In my book, you’re totally a hero. Thank you for standing up for our younglings, for getting them excited to learn, and for launching them on their educational trajectories.
It’s personal for me, both because my mom was a kindergarten teacher, and because my own kindergarten teacher gave me my first “role” – Ringmaster in the Kindergarten Circus. I wasn’t very good, but that’s not the point. Point is: I remember.
Also, I think that your kids could totally handle a little Bard, and maybe a little mythology, too. I think you’re wise to make that assumption, and I really, really hope you’ll give it a whirl. Puppets can work wonders. (hahaha)
Again, many thanks for the comment, and many thanks for the work that you do.
Cheers!
Louis Butelli — November 23, 2011
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Comments
Too bad you had to spoil an otherwise interesting post with a cheap shot at “Anonymous” and people who just so happen don’t believe in your Stratfordian mythology. You write, “I’m not making any judgments here..” Really?
Richard Agemo — November 21, 2011
When looking at old scripts, you were reminded of some of Roderigo’s lines (or words) that were cut for this production, and that got me to wondering if the Shakespeare play scripts from the early 19th century closely follow what we consider today as the correct texts. I am wondering that because Restoration playwrights (Dryden and Davenant, for instance) sometimes made (many and sometimes very strange) changes to Shakespeare’s plays in order to make them more palatable to their audiences (makes you wonder what kind of people those people were—perhaps they weren’t interested in changing their brains). I am trying to remember the trajectory of interpretations of Shakespeare’s plays after the Restoration, and though I know that that information is in my brain, it has been a dreary day which encourages and, indeed, promotes neural lethargy, so I thought I would forgo thinking and ask you if you found the scripts of the early 19th century to closely resemble your own play script. I was going to end by drawing attention to the term “nut-shelling,” but I find it has been trumped by the term “Stratfordian mythology” (isn’t it gorgeous, the way it rolls trippingly off the tongue?). Yeah, I’m with that guy—how dare you believe in the work you do? Geesh.
Judy — November 22, 2011
@Richard – I’m thrilled to hear you thought the post was interesting! I didn’t think anyone was even reading any of this! Also, I’m sorry to hear you thought I was taking a “cheap shot.” I wasn’t. As I said in the sentence I devoted to the movie in question, “I actually liked the movie.” Also, I sincerely hope you followed the link to Eric Idle’s piece in the New Yorker.
Louis Butelli — November 22, 2011
@Judy – thank you so, so much for reading, and even more for responding.
I’m totally with you on Restoration-era reduxes, and some of the surreal things, in terms of scholarship and practical application, that came from those.
I’m also with you in considering that, in the 400-odd years that people have been putting on his plays, “Shakespeare” has become beloved of many, and understood by none. Everyone has their own experience of the stories, and none of those experiences are invalid.
On 19th century notions/applications – I would suggest consideration of the Astor Place Riot of 1849.
And thank you for believing in people believing in the work that they do, when they do it. Thank heavens for the opportunity to work at all!!!
Louis Butelli — November 22, 2011
Ah, yes. Very good. Theater riot. Those were the days. In this instance, the script was probably of no concern because the riot had mostly to do with the actors. So interesting how the meaning and importance of these plays (and of the actors) changes through time, which is why we still perform them. Thanks for responding and reminding me of this.
Judy — November 22, 2011
Shakespeare is the only thing that makes me regret being a kindergarten teacher. There is so much value, for our brains and our souls, in Shakespeare. I am determined to find a way to get a little bard into my curriculum even with the wee ones.
Alysia Scofield — November 22, 2011
@Alysia – thank you so much for reading and responding.
Please, please, pleeeease don’t ever regret being a kindergarten teacher, for any reason. In my book, you’re totally a hero. Thank you for standing up for our younglings, for getting them excited to learn, and for launching them on their educational trajectories.
It’s personal for me, both because my mom was a kindergarten teacher, and because my own kindergarten teacher gave me my first “role” – Ringmaster in the Kindergarten Circus. I wasn’t very good, but that’s not the point. Point is: I remember.
Also, I think that your kids could totally handle a little Bard, and maybe a little mythology, too. I think you’re wise to make that assumption, and I really, really hope you’ll give it a whirl. Puppets can work wonders. (hahaha)
Again, many thanks for the comment, and many thanks for the work that you do.
Cheers!
Louis Butelli — November 23, 2011