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A Shakespeare By Any Other Name | Marybeth McDonough | TEDxYouth@SRDS


okay I have a confession to make

okay I have a confession to make and I’m just going to get this off my

and I’m just going to get this off my

and I’m just going to get this off my chest now and then we can just roll

chest now and then we can just roll

chest now and then we can just roll right forward okay sometimes I say

right forward okay sometimes I say

right forward okay sometimes I say naughty words I know it’s very bad it’s

naughty words I know it’s very bad it’s

naughty words I know it’s very bad it’s very unprofessional and so of course

very unprofessional and so of course

very unprofessional and so of course today I wasn’t going to do that but I

today I wasn’t going to do that but I

today I wasn’t going to do that but I realized very quickly that I would have

realized very quickly that I would have

realized very quickly that I would have to I’d have to say one bad word and it’s

to I’d have to say one bad word and it’s

to I’d have to say one bad word and it’s the S word I hope it’s okay okay

Shakespeare now I know we laugh but in

Shakespeare now I know we laugh but in my experience telling people that you

my experience telling people that you

my experience telling people that you study or worse enjoy the work of William

study or worse enjoy the work of William

study or worse enjoy the work of William Shakespeare is the fastest way to both

Shakespeare is the fastest way to both

Shakespeare is the fastest way to both impress and horrify people it might as

impress and horrify people it might as

impress and horrify people it might as well be a bad word here’s what I

well be a bad word here’s what I

well be a bad word here’s what I typically hear from children and adults

typically hear from children and adults

typically hear from children and adults when I drop the notorious s word into

when I drop the notorious s word into

when I drop the notorious s word into conversation Shakespeare I’m not smart

conversation Shakespeare I’m not smart

conversation Shakespeare I’m not smart enough for Shakespeare well Shakespeare

enough for Shakespeare well Shakespeare

enough for Shakespeare well Shakespeare wasn’t writing exclusively for smart

wasn’t writing exclusively for smart

wasn’t writing exclusively for smart people he wrote for everybody from poor

people he wrote for everybody from poor

people he wrote for everybody from poor stable voice all the way up to the Queen

stable voice all the way up to the Queen

stable voice all the way up to the Queen of England

okay but I also can’t read Old English

okay but I also can’t read Old English because it’s old probably read it and

because it’s old probably read it and

because it’s old probably read it and block them line well I read old English

block them line well I read old English

block them line well I read old English either it’s basically German so it might

either it’s basically German so it might

either it’s basically German so it might be a relief to find out that Shakespeare

be a relief to find out that Shakespeare

be a relief to find out that Shakespeare wrote in early modern English which

wrote in early modern English which

wrote in early modern English which isn’t far from what we speak right now

but Shakespeare is just boring that’s

but Shakespeare is just boring that’s all I ever hear about is that

all I ever hear about is that

all I ever hear about is that Shakespeare is boring hmm this always

Shakespeare is boring hmm this always

Shakespeare is boring hmm this always serves me first I guess if you consider

serves me first I guess if you consider

serves me first I guess if you consider war love triangles mistaken identity so

war love triangles mistaken identity so

war love triangles mistaken identity so too

too

too paths woody banter slapstick comedy half

paths woody banter slapstick comedy half

paths woody banter slapstick comedy half animals have humans

animals have humans

animals have humans I guess it’s none of that interests you

I guess it’s none of that interests you

I guess it’s none of that interests you then Shakespeare would be boring but

then Shakespeare would be boring but

then Shakespeare would be boring but ultimately what I’m going to say to my

ultimately what I’m going to say to my

ultimately what I’m going to say to my skeptics is it’s wills world and you’re

skeptics is it’s wills world and you’re

skeptics is it’s wills world and you’re already living in it ever tell a

already living in it ever tell a

already living in it ever tell a knock-knock joke Shakespeare

knock-knock joke Shakespeare

knock-knock joke Shakespeare do you wear your heart upon your sleeve

do you wear your heart upon your sleeve

do you wear your heart upon your sleeve Shakespeare do you ever want to break

Shakespeare do you ever want to break

Shakespeare do you ever want to break the ice you never felt like you were in

the ice you never felt like you were in

the ice you never felt like you were in a pickle or that you’ve seen better days

a pickle or that you’ve seen better days

a pickle or that you’ve seen better days is there a method to your madness do you

is there a method to your madness do you

is there a method to your madness do you hate your parents at a house at home

hate your parents at a house at home

hate your parents at a house at home have you said that love is blind and

have you said that love is blind and

have you said that love is blind and even if all of this is Greek to you it’s

even if all of this is Greek to you it’s

even if all of this is Greek to you it’s still all Shakespeare now maybe I

still all Shakespeare now maybe I

still all Shakespeare now maybe I haven’t convinced you yet that’s okay

haven’t convinced you yet that’s okay

haven’t convinced you yet that’s okay you’re sitting here today and you’re

you’re sitting here today and you’re

you’re sitting here today and you’re thinking no Shakespeare isn’t for me I

thinking no Shakespeare isn’t for me I

thinking no Shakespeare isn’t for me I know well first thing is that you’re not

know well first thing is that you’re not

know well first thing is that you’re not alone in fact I think you can find an

alone in fact I think you can find an

alone in fact I think you can find an ally here in this very room but present

ally here in this very room but present

ally here in this very room but present company aside there were also some other

company aside there were also some other

company aside there were also some other literary giants writers right up there

literary giants writers right up there

literary giants writers right up there with Shakespeare who also didn’t get

with Shakespeare who also didn’t get

with Shakespeare who also didn’t get what he was doing for instance we have

what he was doing for instance we have

what he was doing for instance we have Voltaire Lord Byron Tolstoy and Shaw all

Voltaire Lord Byron Tolstoy and Shaw all

Voltaire Lord Byron Tolstoy and Shaw all famous Shakespeare haters in fact

famous Shakespeare haters in fact

famous Shakespeare haters in fact Voltaire over here he went so far as to

Voltaire over here he went so far as to

Voltaire over here he went so far as to say that Shakespeare’s work was an

say that Shakespeare’s work was an

say that Shakespeare’s work was an enormous dunghill how nice but I’ve had

enormous dunghill how nice but I’ve had

enormous dunghill how nice but I’ve had it from name-calling and perhaps a

it from name-calling and perhaps a

it from name-calling and perhaps a little bit of jealousy boys people would

little bit of jealousy boys people would

little bit of jealousy boys people would go so far as to even diagnose this

go so far as to even diagnose this

go so far as to even diagnose this crippling fear of a 400 year old ghost

crippling fear of a 400 year old ghost

crippling fear of a 400 year old ghost in fact John Stehr Aurra

in fact John Stehr Aurra

in fact John Stehr Aurra and Dan Poole call it shake ISM an

and Dan Poole call it shake ISM an

and Dan Poole call it shake ISM an irrational aversion to Shakespeare and

irrational aversion to Shakespeare and

irrational aversion to Shakespeare and his plays now the first time I read that

his plays now the first time I read that

his plays now the first time I read that I wish I had climbed that term because I

I wish I had climbed that term because I

I wish I had climbed that term because I see new cases of shakes BISM every day

see new cases of shakes BISM every day

see new cases of shakes BISM every day it’s more contagious than the common

it’s more contagious than the common

it’s more contagious than the common cold and your symptoms will start to

cold and your symptoms will start to

cold and your symptoms will start to show up before you’ve touched a single

show up before you’ve touched a single

show up before you’ve touched a single page picture this your English teacher

page picture this your English teacher

page picture this your English teacher tells you next class you’ve got to bring

tells you next class you’ve got to bring

tells you next class you’ve got to bring in Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet or The

in Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet or The

in Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet or The Tempest and you don’t know when it’s

Tempest and you don’t know when it’s

Tempest and you don’t know when it’s going to happen but

going to happen but

going to happen but we’re between getting that assignment

we’re between getting that assignment

we’re between getting that assignment and making it to the next class you will

and making it to the next class you will

and making it to the next class you will encounter a person could be one of your

encounter a person could be one of your

encounter a person could be one of your parents it could be a fellow student

parents it could be a fellow student

parents it could be a fellow student could be a teacher could even be your

could be a teacher could even be your

could be a teacher could even be your Starbucks barista they’re going to hear

Starbucks barista they’re going to hear

Starbucks barista they’re going to hear you say Shakespeare and they’re going to

you say Shakespeare and they’re going to

you say Shakespeare and they’re going to go my friend you better call out sick

go my friend you better call out sick

go my friend you better call out sick because you’ve already got shakes vism

because you’ve already got shakes vism

because you’ve already got shakes vism how was your teacher possibly going to

how was your teacher possibly going to

how was your teacher possibly going to get you excited about this man or his

get you excited about this man or his

get you excited about this man or his works if people have already done that

works if people have already done that

works if people have already done that to you now this is an epidemic that

to you now this is an epidemic that

to you now this is an epidemic that spreads beyond classroom walls – for

spreads beyond classroom walls – for

spreads beyond classroom walls – for instance back in the summer of 2014 the

instance back in the summer of 2014 the

instance back in the summer of 2014 the New York Public Theater was putting on

New York Public Theater was putting on

New York Public Theater was putting on its annual Shakespeare in the Park and

its annual Shakespeare in the Park and

its annual Shakespeare in the Park and that her they ran much ado about nothing

that her they ran much ado about nothing

that her they ran much ado about nothing followed by the great tragedy King Lear

followed by the great tragedy King Lear

followed by the great tragedy King Lear and so hundreds of people flocked to the

and so hundreds of people flocked to the

and so hundreds of people flocked to the Delacorte theater in the Central Park

Delacorte theater in the Central Park

Delacorte theater in the Central Park each night to see these free

each night to see these free

each night to see these free performances and so one night watching

performances and so one night watching

performances and so one night watching King Lear was a local celebrity

King Lear was a local celebrity

King Lear was a local celebrity this is Ira Glass so for those of you

this is Ira Glass so for those of you

this is Ira Glass so for those of you who don’t know mr. glass is the revered

who don’t know mr. glass is the revered

who don’t know mr. glass is the revered host of NPR’s This American Life he’s an

host of NPR’s This American Life he’s an

host of NPR’s This American Life he’s an intellectual big deal well after the

intellectual big deal well after the

intellectual big deal well after the curtain fell on Lear mr. glass did what

curtain fell on Lear mr. glass did what

curtain fell on Lear mr. glass did what every red-blooded American celebrity

every red-blooded American celebrity

every red-blooded American celebrity does these days he tweeted about it

does these days he tweeted about it

does these days he tweeted about it let’s see what he had to say

Shakespeare not good no stakes not

Shakespeare not good no stakes not relatable I think I’m realizing

relatable I think I’m realizing

relatable I think I’m realizing Shakespeare sucks

Shakespeare sucks

Shakespeare sucks now despite that very nice use of

now despite that very nice use of

now despite that very nice use of alliteration IRA that’s what I would

alliteration IRA that’s what I would

alliteration IRA that’s what I would have written on his tweet if I was

have written on his tweet if I was

have written on his tweet if I was grading it this was devastating

grading it this was devastating

grading it this was devastating I mean let’s be real okay I disagree

I mean let’s be real okay I disagree

I mean let’s be real okay I disagree with what he’s saying but I also admired

with what he’s saying but I also admired

with what he’s saying but I also admired him for putting it out there it was

him for putting it out there it was

him for putting it out there it was brave but the irony is well so many

brave but the irony is well so many

brave but the irony is well so many people are reading this tweet and glass

people are reading this tweet and glass

people are reading this tweet and glass is talking about how utterly unrelatable

is talking about how utterly unrelatable

is talking about how utterly unrelatable Shakespeare is so many people can relate

Shakespeare is so many people can relate

Shakespeare is so many people can relate to that sentiment because more often

to that sentiment because more often

to that sentiment because more often than not in life you are going to

than not in life you are going to

than not in life you are going to encounter people who do believe

encounter people who do believe

encounter people who do believe Shakespeare sucks and people in my

Shakespeare sucks and people in my

Shakespeare sucks and people in my position we could be to blame you see

position we could be to blame you see

position we could be to blame you see the reason why I take my job as an

the reason why I take my job as an

the reason why I take my job as an English teacher so seriously is because

English teacher so seriously is because

English teacher so seriously is because of Shakespeare it is fun for me but it’s

of Shakespeare it is fun for me but it’s

of Shakespeare it is fun for me but it’s ultimately challenging introducing

ultimately challenging introducing

ultimately challenging introducing students to the man the myth the legend

students to the man the myth the legend

students to the man the myth the legend the work and if I don’t approach this

the work and if I don’t approach this

the work and if I don’t approach this topic as delicately as a surgeon I could

topic as delicately as a surgeon I could

topic as delicately as a surgeon I could ruin him for you and not just you but

ruin him for you and not just you but

ruin him for you and not just you but anybody who comes into contact with your

anybody who comes into contact with your

anybody who comes into contact with your shakes vism cooties can’t have it so I

shakes vism cooties can’t have it so I

shakes vism cooties can’t have it so I believe in the real world

believe in the real world

believe in the real world I don’t exclusively dwell in Renaissance

I don’t exclusively dwell in Renaissance

I don’t exclusively dwell in Renaissance drama so I understand that Shakespeare

drama so I understand that Shakespeare

drama so I understand that Shakespeare is intimidating he’s kind of entire

is intimidating he’s kind of entire

is intimidating he’s kind of entire section of Bart’s ennoble just about him

section of Bart’s ennoble just about him

section of Bart’s ennoble just about him that’s a lot so the question is how do

that’s a lot so the question is how do

that’s a lot so the question is how do we begin to break down this mammoth

we begin to break down this mammoth

we begin to break down this mammoth figure and the question is simple you

figure and the question is simple you

figure and the question is simple you have to shake up your understanding of

have to shake up your understanding of

have to shake up your understanding of Shakespeare he’s not Shakespeare this

Shakespeare he’s not Shakespeare this

Shakespeare he’s not Shakespeare this infallible literary God looking down on

infallible literary God looking down on

infallible literary God looking down on you as you struggle with iambic

you as you struggle with iambic

you as you struggle with iambic pentameter and laughing that’s not him

pentameter and laughing that’s not him

pentameter and laughing that’s not him he’s actually will the Entertainer the

he’s actually will the Entertainer the

he’s actually will the Entertainer the innovative storyteller

innovative storyteller

innovative storyteller a husband a father a man now I’m sure

a husband a father a man now I’m sure

a husband a father a man now I’m sure you’re still not convinced so what I’m

you’re still not convinced so what I’m

you’re still not convinced so what I’m going to do is I’m going to hold up

going to do is I’m going to hold up

going to do is I’m going to hold up Shakespeare next to another icon you

Shakespeare next to another icon you

Shakespeare next to another icon you might be more comfortable with let’s say

well Disney okay now you might be

well Disney okay now you might be thinking for a second no no we do not

thinking for a second no no we do not

thinking for a second no no we do not start a Snow White in the same way we

start a Snow White in the same way we

start a Snow White in the same way we look at a fellow pun intended but we do

look at a fellow pun intended but we do

look at a fellow pun intended but we do have some remarkable connections between

have some remarkable connections between

have some remarkable connections between these two men my friends will and Walt

these two men my friends will and Walt

these two men my friends will and Walt so if you were to look at any sort of

so if you were to look at any sort of

so if you were to look at any sort of average Disney animated feature okay

average Disney animated feature okay

average Disney animated feature okay you are going to see Shakespearean

you are going to see Shakespearean

you are going to see Shakespearean influence there you might even hear his

influence there you might even hear his

influence there you might even hear his words for instance we often write off

words for instance we often write off

words for instance we often write off Beauty and the Beast Gaston as being a

Beauty and the Beast Gaston as being a

Beauty and the Beast Gaston as being a misogynistic psychopath but did you know

misogynistic psychopath but did you know

misogynistic psychopath but did you know that he manages to quote Lady Macbeth

that he manages to quote Lady Macbeth

that he manages to quote Lady Macbeth while he’s singing his big song kill the

while he’s singing his big song kill the

while he’s singing his big song kill the Beast now it’s too bad bookish delemus

Beast now it’s too bad bookish delemus

Beast now it’s too bad bookish delemus that reference the movie might have

that reference the movie might have

that reference the movie might have ended differently now in the same vein

ended differently now in the same vein

ended differently now in the same vein we have Aladdin’s genie quoting Julius

we have Aladdin’s genie quoting Julius

we have Aladdin’s genie quoting Julius Caesar and hopefully by now someone’s

Caesar and hopefully by now someone’s

Caesar and hopefully by now someone’s tipped you off to the fact that the Lion

tipped you off to the fact that the Lion

tipped you off to the fact that the Lion King is Hamlet said in the African

King is Hamlet said in the African

King is Hamlet said in the African safari with more music and less death

safari with more music and less death

safari with more music and less death now allusions aside there’s more

now allusions aside there’s more

now allusions aside there’s more connections between these men okay and

connections between these men okay and

connections between these men okay and that is because they were kindred

that is because they were kindred

that is because they were kindred spirits Walt Disney William Shakespeare

spirits Walt Disney William Shakespeare

spirits Walt Disney William Shakespeare took stories that were already familiar

took stories that were already familiar

took stories that were already familiar and they made them into something

and they made them into something

and they made them into something completely new and their versions became

completely new and their versions became

completely new and their versions became their own kind of timeless for instance

their own kind of timeless for instance

their own kind of timeless for instance when you hear the title The Little

when you hear the title The Little

when you hear the title The Little Mermaid you think of a splashy

Mermaid you think of a splashy

Mermaid you think of a splashy under-the-sea musical you don’t think of

under-the-sea musical you don’t think of

under-the-sea musical you don’t think of the original dark tragedy but even

the original dark tragedy but even

the original dark tragedy but even though Hans Christian Andersen wrote

though Hans Christian Andersen wrote

though Hans Christian Andersen wrote that story 152 years before the 1989

that story 152 years before the 1989

that story 152 years before the 1989 film that is what remains relevant in

film that is what remains relevant in

film that is what remains relevant in your psyche and all because a bunch of

your psyche and all because a bunch of

your psyche and all because a bunch of people took a story changed it around

people took a story changed it around

people took a story changed it around and added a happy ending this is

and added a happy ending this is

and added a happy ending this is something that Shakespeare did time and

something that Shakespeare did time and

something that Shakespeare did time and time again he took historical sources

time again he took historical sources

time again he took historical sources mythology even stories that

mythology even stories that

mythology even stories that contemporaries a visitor to Britain and

contemporaries a visitor to Britain and

contemporaries a visitor to Britain and it changed them into something new

it changed them into something new

it changed them into something new he gave them worked out he gave words of

he gave them worked out he gave words of

he gave them worked out he gave words of poetry he developed characters

poetry he developed characters

poetry he developed characters especially female characters which he

especially female characters which he

especially female characters which he often doesn’t get in

often doesn’t get in

often doesn’t get in credit for now in case you’re starting

credit for now in case you’re starting

credit for now in case you’re starting to think this little analogy is well

to think this little analogy is well

to think this little analogy is well cute you might be thinking that there’s

cute you might be thinking that there’s

cute you might be thinking that there’s no way Shakespeare could compare to the

no way Shakespeare could compare to the

no way Shakespeare could compare to the corporate jet or not that is the Disney

corporate jet or not that is the Disney

corporate jet or not that is the Disney Corporation I need to be right I mean we

Corporation I need to be right I mean we

Corporation I need to be right I mean we don’t have a Shakespearean theme park

don’t have a Shakespearean theme park

don’t have a Shakespearean theme park yet but you might be surprised to know

yet but you might be surprised to know

yet but you might be surprised to know that Shakespeare was a businessman in

that Shakespeare was a businessman in

that Shakespeare was a businessman in fact he was a triple threat writer actor

fact he was a triple threat writer actor

fact he was a triple threat writer actor producer and he didn’t just sit in the

producer and he didn’t just sit in the

producer and he didn’t just sit in the corner right and walk away he would have

corner right and walk away he would have

corner right and walk away he would have been involved with a lot of aspects of

been involved with a lot of aspects of

been involved with a lot of aspects of the play from deciding who was going to

the play from deciding who was going to

the play from deciding who was going to be cast in which roles to figuring out

be cast in which roles to figuring out

be cast in which roles to figuring out how are we going to create thunder and

how are we going to create thunder and

how are we going to create thunder and lightning on a stage

lightning on a stage

lightning on a stage without the use of special effects

without the use of special effects

without the use of special effects whatever those are theater was a

whatever those are theater was a

whatever those are theater was a business just like it is today and

business just like it is today and

business just like it is today and creativity men success so Shakespeare

creativity men success so Shakespeare

creativity men success so Shakespeare had to get his finger on the pulse of an

had to get his finger on the pulse of an

had to get his finger on the pulse of an audience to see what they wanted now if

audience to see what they wanted now if

audience to see what they wanted now if you’re curious about what was an early

you’re curious about what was an early

you’re curious about what was an early modern audience like you need look no

modern audience like you need look no

modern audience like you need look no further than us at the movies okay have

further than us at the movies okay have

further than us at the movies okay have you ever noticed how fickle we are we

you ever noticed how fickle we are we

you ever noticed how fickle we are we never know what we want we want

never know what we want we want

never know what we want we want something original and then we flock to

something original and then we flock to

something original and then we flock to reboots and remakes and sequels in the

reboots and remakes and sequels in the

reboots and remakes and sequels in the summer we want splashy cgi action and in

summer we want splashy cgi action and in

summer we want splashy cgi action and in the winter we want raw we want artsy

the winter we want raw we want artsy

the winter we want raw we want artsy lease to make us think if you zero in on

lease to make us think if you zero in on

lease to make us think if you zero in on one of our favorite genres the superhero

one of our favorite genres the superhero

one of our favorite genres the superhero film we balance between wanting a gritty

film we balance between wanting a gritty

film we balance between wanting a gritty award-winning film like a Christopher

award-winning film like a Christopher

award-winning film like a Christopher Nolan Batman movie and then a few years

Nolan Batman movie and then a few years

Nolan Batman movie and then a few years later we want the quickly star-studded

later we want the quickly star-studded

later we want the quickly star-studded Marvel movies what do we want

Marvel movies what do we want

Marvel movies what do we want well Shakespeare had the same problem so

well Shakespeare had the same problem so

well Shakespeare had the same problem so early on in his career people were into

early on in his career people were into

early on in his career people were into what they called revenge tragedies and

what they called revenge tragedies and

what they called revenge tragedies and that’s exactly what it sounds like and

that’s exactly what it sounds like and

that’s exactly what it sounds like and in fact the bloodier the better Thomas

in fact the bloodier the better Thomas

in fact the bloodier the better Thomas Kyd kicked this off and he wrote a play

Kyd kicked this off and he wrote a play

Kyd kicked this off and he wrote a play called the Spanish tragedy Christopher

called the Spanish tragedy Christopher

called the Spanish tragedy Christopher Marlowe followed suit

Marlowe followed suit

Marlowe followed suit naturally up-and-coming writer Will

naturally up-and-coming writer Will

naturally up-and-coming writer Will Shakespeare had to write one so he

Shakespeare had to write one so he

Shakespeare had to write one so he writes titus and dronicus you might not

writes titus and dronicus you might not

writes titus and dronicus you might not have heard of it now this is a mess of a

have heard of it now this is a mess of a

have heard of it now this is a mess of a play before the end you’ve got 14 deaths

play before the end you’ve got 14 deaths

play before the end you’ve got 14 deaths three severed hands one missing tongue

three severed hands one missing tongue

three severed hands one missing tongue and a pie that’s literally to die for

and a pie that’s literally to die for

and a pie that’s literally to die for and the writing well that’s a mess too

and the writing well that’s a mess too

and the writing well that’s a mess too well I said it Shakespeare wrote

well I said it Shakespeare wrote

well I said it Shakespeare wrote something that wasn’t perfect you see a

something that wasn’t perfect you see a

something that wasn’t perfect you see a lot of scholars actually discredit this

lot of scholars actually discredit this

lot of scholars actually discredit this play as building Shakespeare’s because

play as building Shakespeare’s because

play as building Shakespeare’s because it’s bad isn’t that terrible at the same

it’s bad isn’t that terrible at the same

it’s bad isn’t that terrible at the same time that he was working on Titus he was

time that he was working on Titus he was

time that he was working on Titus he was also writing Richard the third and that

also writing Richard the third and that

also writing Richard the third and that ended up being his first big widespread

ended up being his first big widespread

ended up being his first big widespread hit

hit

hit it’s a tragedy it’s a history people

it’s a tragedy it’s a history people

it’s a tragedy it’s a history people love it now if we’re going back to the

love it now if we’re going back to the

love it now if we’re going back to the movie analogy for second okay imagine

movie analogy for second okay imagine

movie analogy for second okay imagine Titus as being a b-movie horror slasher

Titus as being a b-movie horror slasher

Titus as being a b-movie horror slasher pit with some inexperienced amateurs and

pit with some inexperienced amateurs and

pit with some inexperienced amateurs and on the other hand he’s got Richard the

on the other hand he’s got Richard the

on the other hand he’s got Richard the third which is like a sweeping

third which is like a sweeping

third which is like a sweeping oscar-winning drama how can one man

oscar-winning drama how can one man

oscar-winning drama how can one man right both are you kidding me of course

right both are you kidding me of course

right both are you kidding me of course one man right both we like different

one man right both we like different

one man right both we like different things you can see different movies you

things you can see different movies you

things you can see different movies you could read different books we like other

could read different books we like other

could read different books we like other things if we like the same thing all the

things if we like the same thing all the

things if we like the same thing all the time we would be bored if you made

time we would be bored if you made

time we would be bored if you made another analogy think about the Steven

another analogy think about the Steven

another analogy think about the Steven Spielberg okay he’s responsible for

Spielberg okay he’s responsible for

Spielberg okay he’s responsible for movies like Schindler’s List and linked

movies like Schindler’s List and linked

movies like Schindler’s List and linked in and Saving Private Ryan and that’s

in and Saving Private Ryan and that’s

in and Saving Private Ryan and that’s what we give him awards for but let’s

what we give him awards for but let’s

what we give him awards for but let’s not forget he’s also responsible for the

not forget he’s also responsible for the

not forget he’s also responsible for the Indiana Jones franchise including

Indiana Jones franchise including

Indiana Jones franchise including Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which I

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which I

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which I want my money back for okay now if we

want my money back for okay now if we

want my money back for okay now if we can forgive mr. Spielberg then perhaps

can forgive mr. Spielberg then perhaps

can forgive mr. Spielberg then perhaps we can forgive mr. Shakespeare okay but

we can forgive mr. Shakespeare okay but

we can forgive mr. Shakespeare okay but the thing is you weren’t used to seeing

the thing is you weren’t used to seeing

the thing is you weren’t used to seeing him up on a pedestal like this okay he

him up on a pedestal like this okay he

him up on a pedestal like this okay he didn’t put himself there we did so let’s

didn’t put himself there we did so let’s

didn’t put himself there we did so let’s go back to the two place you’ve got

go back to the two place you’ve got

go back to the two place you’ve got Titus right it’s a mess it needs work

Titus right it’s a mess it needs work

Titus right it’s a mess it needs work seven years later Shakespeare says okay

seven years later Shakespeare says okay

seven years later Shakespeare says okay I’ll run another revenge tragedy and

I’ll run another revenge tragedy and

I’ll run another revenge tragedy and it’s good it’s really good it’s polished

it’s good it’s really good it’s polished

it’s good it’s really good it’s polished it’s nearly floor look flawless it’s

it’s nearly floor look flawless it’s

it’s nearly floor look flawless it’s Hamlin okay

Hamlin okay

Hamlin okay what happened in seven years of time

what happened in seven years of time

what happened in seven years of time Allah first of all the writing gets

Allah first of all the writing gets

Allah first of all the writing gets better I don’t care if you’re typing on

better I don’t care if you’re typing on

better I don’t care if you’re typing on a Mac or if you’re using a quill writing

a Mac or if you’re using a quill writing

a Mac or if you’re using a quill writing is a process and I’m sure you’ve all

is a process and I’m sure you’ve all

is a process and I’m sure you’ve all heard that before and Shakespeare was no

heard that before and Shakespeare was no

heard that before and Shakespeare was no different he had a room for growth so

different he had a room for growth so

different he had a room for growth so writing gets better in seven years

writing gets better in seven years

writing gets better in seven years okay but other stuff happened to

okay but other stuff happened to

okay but other stuff happened to Shakespeare wrote other please

Shakespeare wrote other please

Shakespeare wrote other please he had big hits he became a shareholder

he had big hits he became a shareholder

he had big hits he became a shareholder in the King’s Men his production company

in the King’s Men his production company

in the King’s Men his production company but the most important change was that

but the most important change was that

but the most important change was that Shakespeare experienced real tragedy

Shakespeare experienced real tragedy

Shakespeare experienced real tragedy because in 1596 his young son cabinets

because in 1596 his young son cabinets

because in 1596 his young son cabinets at age 10 died no I don’t care how old

at age 10 died no I don’t care how old

at age 10 died no I don’t care how old you are if you’re a parent like many of

you are if you’re a parent like many of

you are if you’re a parent like many of us are and who have to bury a child I

us are and who have to bury a child I

us are and who have to bury a child I can’t imagine a lower death can you and

can’t imagine a lower death can you and

can’t imagine a lower death can you and that’s what Shakespeare went through and

that’s what Shakespeare went through and

that’s what Shakespeare went through and all while he was living miles and miles

all while he was living miles and miles

all while he was living miles and miles away from his home in London

away from his home in London

away from his home in London it took experiencing true darkness grief

it took experiencing true darkness grief

it took experiencing true darkness grief depression for Shakespeare to write

depression for Shakespeare to write

depression for Shakespeare to write about a play that embodies all of those

about a play that embodies all of those

about a play that embodies all of those and that’s where the magic of

and that’s where the magic of

and that’s where the magic of Shakespeare comes into play good friend

Shakespeare comes into play good friend

Shakespeare comes into play good friend of Shakespeare’s Ben Jonson once said

of Shakespeare’s Ben Jonson once said

of Shakespeare’s Ben Jonson once said that his friend was not of an age but

that his friend was not of an age but

that his friend was not of an age but for all time how could Jonson have known

for all time how could Jonson have known

for all time how could Jonson have known that over 400 years later we would still

that over 400 years later we would still

that over 400 years later we would still be tied to one man and the answer is

be tied to one man and the answer is

be tied to one man and the answer is that Shakespeare is everywhere okay we

that Shakespeare is everywhere okay we

that Shakespeare is everywhere okay we are drawn to characters and stories that

are drawn to characters and stories that

are drawn to characters and stories that are Shakespearean in nature it is what

are Shakespearean in nature it is what

are Shakespearean in nature it is what we want we can turn on in a news channel

we want we can turn on in a news channel

we want we can turn on in a news channel and see the Montagues and the Capulets

and see the Montagues and the Capulets

and see the Montagues and the Capulets fighting in any kind of city we can

fighting in any kind of city we can

fighting in any kind of city we can imagine a war like a fellow’s as being a

imagine a war like a fellow’s as being a

imagine a war like a fellow’s as being a championship basketball game we can hear

championship basketball game we can hear

championship basketball game we can hear the words of a villain coming

the words of a villain coming

the words of a villain coming from a face that we trust Shakespeare

from a face that we trust Shakespeare

from a face that we trust Shakespeare scares us because we hear words like

scares us because we hear words like

scares us because we hear words like Addie and I and often an on but if you

Addie and I and often an on but if you

Addie and I and often an on but if you did beneath those words you will find

did beneath those words you will find

did beneath those words you will find characters that you can see in any

characters that you can see in any

characters that you can see in any reflection of any mirror have you ever

reflection of any mirror have you ever

reflection of any mirror have you ever been in love with someone who doesn’t

been in love with someone who doesn’t

been in love with someone who doesn’t love you back you might want to talk to

love you back you might want to talk to

love you back you might want to talk to Helena or Rodrigo for advice do you want

Helena or Rodrigo for advice do you want

Helena or Rodrigo for advice do you want to prove yourself that you’re more than

to prove yourself that you’re more than

to prove yourself that you’re more than what you seem especially to mom and dad

what you seem especially to mom and dad

what you seem especially to mom and dad they might talk to Prince how he later

they might talk to Prince how he later

they might talk to Prince how he later became henry v maybe you felt like an

became henry v maybe you felt like an

became henry v maybe you felt like an outsider you might identify with viola

outsider you might identify with viola

outsider you might identify with viola or a fellow or Shylock and finally if

or a fellow or Shylock and finally if

or a fellow or Shylock and finally if life ever becomes a series of slings and

life ever becomes a series of slings and

life ever becomes a series of slings and arrows that you need to fend off or it

arrows that you need to fend off or it

arrows that you need to fend off or it looks like an overwhelming sea of

looks like an overwhelming sea of

looks like an overwhelming sea of troubles about to swallow you whole you

troubles about to swallow you whole you

troubles about to swallow you whole you might want to pick up that copy of

might want to pick up that copy of

might want to pick up that copy of Hamlet from high school dust it off and

Hamlet from high school dust it off and

Hamlet from high school dust it off and give Shakespeare another try thank you

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