
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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