If he should still drop in now and again on this Blessed Plot........

I think I should have included -

I had the huge pleasure of studying dear Will with the O.U. and we explored his sonnets. Here is just one that has chimed with me from time to time.

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet, in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For they sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Love Portia's speech Rumpole was always quoting that one wasnt he?. I have just booked tickets and a nice hotel at Stratford for DHs forthcoming birthday. We are going to see Julius Caesar which I studied for O level in the the pre historic era. We recently really enjoyed Taming of the Shrew so much at Nottingham I decided as we only live about 50 miles from Stratford we should make the effort and hang the expense. DH thought for once that it made a perfect birthday present. (He is not good at accepting gifts).

You can find them all here

(Beware! You could easily sit reading them all day! )

for a nice start to the day click here

Imjingl it was charming , watched a few others also , must get on though chores you know !!!!!!!!!!!!

I've posted this elsewhere but it seems appropriate so here it is again. Four year old son heard the announcement on the radio that it was Shakespeare's birthday . He came running into the kitchen saying,''Mummy, mummy, it's Shakespeare's birthday. Can we go to his party?'' Daughter aged five and a half replied,'' Don't be silly, it's much too far!''

Going to a combined St George's / day Shakespeare's birthday dinner to night; I have to talk about Harfleur and Agincourt with suitable quotations. "Henry Vth" is one of those texts that I could teach without the book in front of me. Or rather, could have taught....

Off to the Globe tonight to celebrate Will's birthday by watching Troilus and Cressida in Maori! Part of the Globe to Globe 37 -plays in 37 languages. Hope the rain stops.

Just seen that on the news, Seventimesfive. It also showed actors of different nationalities saying 'To be or not to be, that is the question'! Hope the weather improves for you - or it really will be 'the blessed rain from heaven upon the place beneath'!

I heard about that on the radio. Said they have tried to cover the different ethnicities of modern London.

Are there really many maories living in London?

I think it's weird. Smacks of desperation to be different.

Although I do seem to remember they said the first performance of a Shakespeare play was on a boat moored off the coast of foreign parts somewhere. Can't remember where. I was half asleep.

My daughter's friend is married to a Maori, jingl - they live up the road from me. Don't think he'll be headed for The Globe to watch the play though!

Have a great time at the Globe Seventimesfive ...I love seeing his plays there

Did I hear them say on the radio that the Isrealies are doing 'A Merchant of Venice' as their play??

How about this one.
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all the rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire,
Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

That's a bit of a sad one Hunt.

Hunt, another enigmantic one...he is certainly good at summing up inner and external conflicts - thanks for that.

April 23rd St George's day/Shakespeare's birthday is also the birthday of my DD1 so I would never forget it.
Yes Portia's speech is a favorite.- always been able to recite it at the drop of a hat.
Remember singing 'Hark,Hark the lark at heaven's gate sings'(Cymbeline) at school.
The song 'Fear no more the heat of the sun..'.often spoken at funerals I like but apart from these 2 songs I know nothing about Cymbeline.
I'm very envious of those GNs going to The Globe and Stratford. Someday soon I hope!

maniac we'll get to Stratford. I promise

Polonius' advice to Laertes:

Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This, above all, to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

I like the last two lines of yours especially Hilda.

For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Sigh!

Last night I heard from my sister that my 12 year old nephew is keen to study Hamlet which I was really pleased about as he is mostly obsessed by Liverpool FC (bit strange for a southerner but there you go). I suggested the Mel Gibson DVD which was a huge surprise to me but he was fabulous in it. My favourite though by far is Al Pacino as Shylock - electric!!!

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

See you again next year, little red dragon.

oooer jingle.......jolly old Macbeth......grim but a brilliant play....may fav version is the one with Harriet Walter and Antony Sher.