In Honor of Shakespeare: 400 Years!

Today, April 23, marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare.  It seems like there should be some sort of fanfare, don't you think?  Imagine what the world would be like had there not been a Shakespeare.  It's almost impossible to do really, so ingrained is he and his work in our culture.  Not just Western culture either.  I've got a celebratory treat to share and one that so very fittingly marks this day and his worldwide importance. 

I've just received a copy of the newly released Worlds Elsewhere: Journeys Around Shakespeare's Globe by Andrew Dickson to add to my reading pile.  Actually I have two copies.  One that I shall be eagerly dipping into this weekend and one to share.  So, if you are a US resident and would like to throw your name into the virtual hat to win a copy, just leave me a comment.  To get into the spirit of things, if you have a favorite work or sonnet or movie adaptation or literary retelling or a visit to the Globe Theater, or any other Shakespeare story, please feel free to share.  

The book has an interesting and unusual take on Shakespeare as Andrew Dickson traveled across continents and through the centuries to tell Shakespeare's story, so to speak.  While the Bard never traveled, his work has certainly made its way far and wide.  Worlds Elsewhere is both a cultural history and a literary travelogue that attempts "to understand how Shakespeare has become the international phenomenon he is--and why".

I have a little teaser to whet your appetite:

"The theatre was packed, people jostling for position. As I watched, three men detached themselves from the crowd and began slowly to climb the steps. A ripple of applause washed over them as they came up on to the stage. Acknowledging it, they glanced around – surprised, bemused to find themselves here in the flat grey light of an English summer afternoon. They were decently dressed, if perhaps a little shabby: long perahan tunics in grey and mud- brown, loose trousers, jackets, rubber sandals. Orange security lanyards flapped at their necks. They carried bags; one had a rug slung across his arm. They looked fresh off the plane, and dusty with tiredness."

You can read more about the book here and check out Andrew Dickson's website here.

I've not read nearly enough Shakespeare, but my own favorite is Twelfth Night.  You know how fond I am of female characters dressing up as boys.   Mistaken identities, adventure, romance, what's not to love?

I'll drop the names into a hat next Friday and pull a winner out, so make sure you leave a comment if you want to join in the celebratory reading.  While I can only pick a winner for a US reader, do check out Andrew's Twitter feed as there are other giveaways and competitions where you can try your luck.

Comments

[Kailana]

A meme circulates around with all the expressions we use that started off in his plays/poems. Definitely has a lasting impression on the world today!

[Joan Kyler]

I've been taking some online courses over the past year, ones that are free and that you can do at your own pace. I've just started one called Shakespeare and Hi World (https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/shakespeare-and-his-world/4/register). I still haven't read or seen all the plays, although I had a brief fling with his sonnets in high school. He's certainly a man to be honored for giving civilization so much.

[LindaY]

Oooh, looks like a great book. One of my favorite Shakespeare memories is very offbeat: watching the MOONLIGHTING episode "Atomic Shakespeare." I wasn't a big fan of the series, but I love that episode!

I remember going to Stratford, CT, to see "Romeo and Juliet" as a school field trip in high school. The Zefferelli version had just come out/was still very popular. I would have preferred "The Tempest" or "Twelfth Night," though.

[Kathy]

Looks like a great book. I don't know nearly enough about Shakespeare and have only seen or read a handful of his plays. One Shakespeare memory I have is of going with a friend to see a performance of The Tempest that had only two actors playing all the roles. They did a great job and we quite enjoyed the performance. It must have been exhausting!

[Janet]

This looks interesting. My favorite plays are Shakepeare's tragedies. I love Macbeth and Hamlet. Perhaps it is because those are the ones I have taught so I've read and seen them MANY times.

[Danielle]

What would he think if he knew his reach was so wide and longlasting? I hope wherever he is, he knows! ;) That sounds like a fun meme--I will have to google it. I think you could make a life's work of studying his plays and sonnets.

[Danielle]

I wonder if he is the most written about of all authors? He must be close, if he is not. I would love to take some sort of Shakespeare course--I am sure that is the only way I could make a serious study of the plays and I can't recall ever really having read his sonnets. I will have to check out the course you mention. I have only dabbled in his plays--all very hit or miss of what I have seen or read. The last was Michael Fassbinder's Macbeth, which I saw in the theater on the big screen and was very impressive!

[Danielle]

It is quite hefty really and I can't wait to sit down with it properly and read. I was thinking of picking a play and then also some sort of adaptation or retelling and making it into a little reading project for summer. Isn't it funny how he shows up in the oddest (seemingly) places? Twelfth Night is my favorite but I love the Zeferelli version of Romeo and Juliet, too. I shall drop your name in the hat!

[Danielle]

Wow, now that would be very memorable! Did you ever see The Goodbye Girl with Richard Dryfuss and he plays an actor making his NY debut playing King Richard? While Richard Dryfuss has never been my idea of a heartthrob he was wonderful in that part and it is one of my favorite movies! I think the book will be really interesting since it takes such a different look at Shakespeare. I will drop your name in the hat!

[Danielle]

I think to really appreciate the plays they do need to be seen over and over and read. I should try and pick just one play to read each year and try and read or see more than one version. Hmm--may have to make this into a project.... Yes, the book looks really interesting and I am looking forward to starting it soon. I shall add your name to the hat!

[Stefanie]

This sounds like a fun book! When I was in high school in the AP program, every year my class would get to go once or twice to see a Shakespeare play at the Globe in San Diego. They had an outdoor stage as well as indoor and sometimes we'd see the play outdoors. The San Diego zoo is right behind them and sometimes in the middle of the play the peacocks would get going really loud or there would be other animal noises. The actors took it all in stride and never missed a line.

[Danielle]

How fun! I have only seen Shakespeare outside once that I can recall. Every summer there is Shakespeare on the Green which takes place on University grounds and I went to it when I was in college. I can't tell you what I saw--I know I found it hugely confusing as I hadn't read the play and was totally lost, but still it is cool to see theatre outside. The peacocks could add some good background sound effects if there is a play set out in the wilds...hha. I wish it was a paperback as this is a hefty hardcover which are always a little more work to drop into my bookbag. So maybe I will have to carve out at home reading time for it! ;) Shall I drop your name in the hat for a chance at it

[Kathy]

I did see (and enjoy) The Goodbye Girl, but it's been many, many years. I should see if I can find it at my library.

[Danielle]

It's such a delight to watch. Maybe I should pull it out again-such a fun romantic comedy--I hope your library has a copy!

[Stefanie]

Yes please :)

[Jennifer]

My favorite play by far is Richard III and I really liked the 1995 movie with Ian McKellen. I am a sucker for the sonnets too, especially 116 ("love is not love which alters when it alteration finds...") which is horribly cliche, I'm afraid. This book has been on my TBR list for 2016 for a couple months, ever since I saw it on a list of new books, so I would love to be entered to win a copy. I'm a big fan of these thematic travelogue/memoir/popular history or culture books.

[Danielle]

I love books like this, too, that mix so many topics and offer so much interesting information. I had only recently heard of it and can't wait to get properly into it! I only wish I had copies to give each person who left a comment, a copy of the book. I had only the one sadly. Thanks so much for your comment however! :)