Category: Shakespeare Plays

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the most influential playwrights in history, and his plays have been performed and studied for centuries. From the timeless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet to the hilarious antics of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s plays continue to captivate audiences around the world. Whether you’re a fan of tragedy, comedy, or romance, there’s a Shakespeare play for everyone. So why not revisit these timeless classics and discover the magic of Shakespeare for yourself?

Browse the entire text of Shakespeare’s plays right here on Shakespeare Geek.

King Lear : Lebanon, NH

~ duane ~ 1 Comment

So today, Kerry and I drove 100 miles (each way!) to go see a performance of King Lear.  

I’d never seen an actual production of the play – I’ve certainly read it and read about it, and in college, I had a movie version that I honestly can’t remember watching through to completion.  But to repeat a phrase I found myself saying to friends and coworkers for the past month, “But it’s King Lear for God’s sake!”  How could I miss that?

Having never seen a production before, I have no frame of reference to really explain what I saw.  The King was portrayed as very….frail?  Downright skeletal, really.  A very gaunt old man.  Trembled quite badly.  I’m not sure that’s what I expected.  I thought that there would be flashes of a true king (particularly when he was angry), but really, he was pretty much a very old and weak man from the very first scene.  When he did get angry, it was more or less “indignant”, if that makes sense. 

Let me put it as a question.  The famous quote, “Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!”…how is it typically portrayed?  I always thought such a line would be strong, forceful, and defiant.  What I got was….well, bargaining.  “Go ahead and blow, wind.  Nice wind.”  That sort of thing. I was much more impressed with the acting of Gloucester, Burgundy, Kent, and Edgar.  Those four, in particular, were not afraid to put a little energy (and volume!) into their performance.  You knew when they were angry or sad.  The actor doing Edgar, I thought, did a particularly fine job of conveying emotion via facial expressions.

At over 3 hours, it was longer than I expected, but maybe that’s my fault.  I think the audience was a little desperate for a laugh – during the very final scene when Edgar announces that Edmund is dead and Burgundy says, “That is a mere trifle to us now” (or something similar to that), that was actually one of the bigger laughs of the night.  During the final scene of a great Shakespearean tragedy.  Hmmmm. I was trying to listen closely to Lear’s last words.  Nobody was making much of an effort to project to the back row, so when he whispered, you practically had to read his lips.  I was watching for references to a feather but heard none.  I did hear “Look on her, look, her lips, look there!” and I could swear one of the lines was “Her lips move”, but that’s not in my copy of the script so I’m not sure if I heard it wrong. 

Somebody tell me – does Lear die thinking that Cordelia is still alive, or merely wishing that she were?  Or is that dependent on how the last line is played? I know that Rosenbaum had much to say on the different versions, but I don’t have the time right now to dig through that audio interview to find the actual comments (and my book is not at hand). All in all I’m glad I saw the play, because now I have a baseline from which to look at other Lears.   

Romeo’s Last Words

~ duane ~ 2 Comments
Romeo and Juliet : Romeo's Last Words
“What’s that you said, Romeo? I missed it.”

Looking for the answer to a crossword puzzle clue, “Romeo’s last words”? Look no further. Shakespeare Geek’s got the answer.

Originally I posted this content in relation to the finale of the musical HAIR, where it’s sung as background harmony. It became a massive hit for me once Google spotted it because “Romeo’s last words” frequently comes up as a crossword puzzle clue.  Without further ado:

Eyes, look your last!
Arms, take your last embrace!  and, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death!
Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!
Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!
Here’s to my love!  (drinks)
O true apothecary!
They drugs are quick.  Thus with a kiss I die.

Romeo and Juliet, Act 5 Scene 3

If you’re here for the crossword puzzle clue, it’s “I die”.

Beyond the Crossword: The Tragic Love Story of Romeo and Juliet

While the crossword puzzle answer may provide a brief moment of triumph, it’s essential not to overlook the deeper significance of Romeo’s last words within the larger context of the play. Romeo and Juliet‘s story is a timeless tale of forbidden love, feuding families, and unfolding tragic consequences. Romeo’s final words symbolize the culmination of their ill-fated romance, reflecting the intensity of their love and the devastating loss they both endure.

What was that about HAIR?

HAIR, the iconic rock musical of the 1960s, is a vibrant celebration of youth, freedom, and counterculture. The show, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War era, explores themes of love, peace, and societal rebellion. In its powerful finale number, the musical brings together the exhilarating energy of the cast with a clever twist. The lyrics ingeniously incorporate quotes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, infusing the modern narrative with timeless words. This blending of classic and contemporary elements adds depth and resonance, reminding us of the enduring relevance of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a better world.

Conclusion

So, if you’ve been seeking the answer to “Romeo’s Last Words” for your crossword puzzle, you now have the perfect clue to complete the grid. Remember, beyond its puzzle-solving value, Romeo’s final words hold immense emotional weight, representing the tragic ending of a legendary love story.

Romeo and Juliet : How old is Romeo?

~ duane ~ 81 Comments
Romeo aside, how old is Mercutio? After all, Mercutio Drew First
Mercutio Drew First Merchandise Now Available!

How old is Romeo? There’s a simple question. Sure, we all know Juliet is 13, but the nurse immediately tells us. And often, I think we then make the leap and assume that Romeo is 13 as well.

But that’s hardly true. Would that imply that Mercutio, Tybalt, and Paris are also all about 13? Surely it was the case that men simply chose younger wives (Capulet is much older than his wife, is he not?), and actually, we can assume that Romeo and the others are in what, maybe in late teens or early 20’s?

It wouldn’t be a good idea to point out that age difference these days, of course. I can just imagine Romeo & Juliet being closed down because it promotes pedophilia or something. But honestly, I’m cool with it (the age difference, not the pedophilia!)  The more I read the play, the more I appreciate that Juliet is the most mature person. That she’s 13, surrounded by people generations older than her, is quite impressive. I don’t need to make her older to justify anything, and I don’t need to make Romeo younger to get it to balance out.

Romeo can be older and still be rash and impetuous. Juliet can be young and be the smart one. It’s better than trying to imagine 13-year-old Tybalt saying, “I hate the word as I hate Hell….”

But How Old Is Romeo?

The short answer is that Romeo’s age is never mentioned in the play’s text. Romeo is old enough to be running around in the streets of Verona with his friends. His father, Lord Montague, doesn’t even know where he is. That’s all

Did You Know?

I learned something interesting while looking at the trivia for Luhrman’s movie. Natalie Portman auditioned for the role of Juliet. But because of her small frame, in her words, “Leonardo looked like he was molesting me.”  The director said the same thing I said above, only backward — “Leonardo was 21, but could look 18 – and she made him look 21.” In other words, he looked too old, not like she looked too young.  So that certainly backs up the idea that you have to cast R&J of roughly equivalent ages to avoid squicking out your audience.

Romeo and Juliet … as a Disney(*) Cartoon!

~ duane ~ 7 Comments

(*) sort of

I’ve said before, many times, that I think The Tempest is ripe for Disney picking.  Little girl living with her Dad (note no mother figure?) on an island with her playmates, a sprite name Ariel (have to change that to avoid Mermaid confusion) and the mischievous sea monster Caliban.  Enter Prince Ferdinand, with whom she falls madly in love.  Throw in a couple of bad guys Stephano and Trinculo, in league with Caliban, who are easily dispatched, a few other bumbling cast of characters to round it out.  Little girl learns that she’s actually a princess (or close enough, she’s whatever she is when she’s the daughter of the Duke of Milan) and everybody sails home for a wedding and a happy ending.  Perfect.

Until I get that, be sure to check out Sealed with a Kiss, a new animation by former Disney guy Phil Nibbelink (Fox and the Hound, Black Cauldron…).  He’s done his own thing here, a 2D Flash animation with hand-drawn art that depicts Romeo and Juliet as…seals.  Get it?  The big downside is that it’s a highly limited release, strictly in a few California theatres.  If you’re in the neighborhood, though, go see it and tell us how it is!  This is the sort of thing that the second it appears on video, I’m getting it for my kids.  Disney should do more Shakespeare.  Yes, yes, I know it’s not Disney doing it, but I’m sure he’ll keep the flavor and style that we all know and love.

More Animated Shakespeare…