Troilus and Cressida
William Shakespeare wrote a play about the Trojan War. Well, that’s just awesome. So why is it never performed that often? You know, the ancient pseudo-mythical decade-long conflict that even rivals World War II in pop culture. Even if you never read Homer’s Iliad or Virgil’s Aeneid, you know the general story. But the details … Read more
Hamlet
So… Hamlet. There is so much that has been written about this play already, so much life sucked from it by tired schoolroom analyses, and so many interpretations of the text put onto stage and film, that a relevant discussion can prove to be very difficult. So let me come at this entry from a … Read more
The Winter’s Tale
![Ethan-Hawke-in-The-Winter-002[1]](http://shakespeareactaday.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/ethan-hawke-in-the-winter-0021.jpg?w=440&h=240&crop=1 "Ethan-Hawke-in-The-Winter-002[1]")
Prince Mamillus says early in the first Act of this play: “A sad tale’s best for winter: I have one Of sprites and goblins.” Shortly afterwards, he falls ill and dies of shock when his mother, Queen Hermoine, is falsely accused of infidelity by King Leontes. So begins this beautiful story of jealousy and forgiveness, with its famously unconventional structure. … Read more
Two Noble Kinsmen
It is fairly accepted among scholars that Shakespeare collaborated with John Fletcher on two plays: King Henry VIII, and Two Noble Kinsmen. Considering that the former play was one of the worst plays have ever read, ever, I did not have high hopes for 2NK (as I like to call it). It was not included in the … Read more
Cymbeline
If you ask me what my favorite Shakespeare play is, I usually say Cymbeline. Until recently, I sort of forgot why. But then I read the thing again just now, and oh dear Christ it’s a wonderful play. Really, really wonderful, with one of the era’s greatest female protagonists, opportunity for a spectacular battle sequence, … Read more
The Merchant of Venice
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So, remember when Two Gentlemen of Verona had a fairly nonchalant stance on rape? Well, Merchant of Venice has a similar problem with anti-Semetism. However, Merchant has two incredibly fascinating and therefore redeeming characters: Shylock, the Jewish villain of the play, and Portia, one of Shakespeare’s best female characters ever. Yeah, she’s racist, which is … Read more
Romeo & Juliet
![romeo_juliet[1]](http://shakespeareactaday.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/romeo_juliet11.jpg?w=440&h=240&crop=1 "romeo_juliet[1]")
I am returning to this blog, after a bit of a hiatus, with one of the most iconic and timeless shows that Shakespeare ever wrote. It’s not the best play he ever wrote, but it’s still an iconic love story that is always going to be around. The question becomes making it relevant, and not … Read more
Macbeth
This week, I chose to read Macbeth as a tie-in with the production I am actually in with Chicago’s New Rock Theater – running May 26 through June 25! A shameless plug, I know, but it’s a creepy fun time and you can get your tickets at this link here. We are in tech week right now, … Read more
Antony and Cleopatra
Too many times, when somebody talks about doing a Shakespeare play, they use the phrase “it’s really difficult.” And to be fair, Shakespeare is always difficult. You need a lot of skill and dedication to perform any of these plays effectively so a modern audience understands and cares about the story. So I usually think … Read more
Julius Caesar
![brando[1]](http://shakespeareactaday.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/brando1.jpg?w=440&h=240&crop=1 "brando[1]")
Every time I read Julius Caesar, I find something new to love. Of all the literature I’ve had to read and reread through school years, I think it is actually the play I have read the most. It is also a story that most people are familiar with, regardless of their familiarity with Shakespeare, and … Read more
