Library Research

So yesterday I took Professor Burton's advice and went to the library. It took a good hour or so, but I couldn't believe how many books there were about Shakespeare! I definitely saw books pertinent to every single topic that we have indicidually chosen for our blogs, even as specific as the Naxi appropriation of Shakespeare. Pretty amazing. I found about fifteen books that I can use in my thesis statement study, as explained in my previous post. If any of you don't remember that thesis, here's a refresher!

SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS HAVE HAD SUCH LASTING SUCCESS NOT MERELY BECAUSE OF THEIR BEAUTY AND INSIGHT INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION, BUT BECAUSE THEY RAISE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AND ADDRESSED. THESE ISSUES ARE STILL BEING LOOKED AT TODAY, AND SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS HAVE FACILITATED PUBLIC THOUGHT INTO SUCH DILEMMAS.

Posts from here till I finish my research will go topic by topic based on my research into each area. To start it off, my next post will be on Shakespeare and the themes of revenge and victimization in his works.

RIchard III - Grassroots Shakespeare production

Saturday was a busy day! It started out for me with the Splash n Dash here in BYU campus. This was followed by a trip to the annual Festival of Colors! From there, I was planning on rushing to get cleaned up and then head to rehearsal for the Richard III production. That's how it was supposed to turn out anyhow. A friend of ours got pretty badly hurt at the Festival, and I got busy helping with first aid till the paramedics arrived! (I'm happy to report she is alright, she suffered a concussion but no broken bones.) I was running late for play rehearsal, but decided to stop by on my way home to see if they still needed my help, or if they had already reassigned the part. I walked in covered from head to toe in colored chalk, and talked to the directors of the production. They were ecstatic that I had come, because they were in sore need of more participants. So I told them great! I'd go home and clean up, and come back in about half an hour. Reasonable right? Wrong! They needed the rehearsal time so badly, they pleaded that I stayed as is. So...yes. I did in fact perform in the Richard III production covered in colored chalk. Head to toe. Needless to say, it was an experience. Since we didn't have many props, I'd say I probably brought the most color to the stage that night! Perhaps that's why they didn't want me to change...hm.

But on to more scholarly topics! One of the biggest things I noticed from doing the production in this manner (very little to no rehearsal) was that the play took on a completely new life. Each part was completely up to the interpretation of the actor that played it. This was even more sharply contrasted by having each part played by multiple actors. I was able to see how each different individual interpreted and acted out the role of Richard, or Lady Anne, or Buckingham, or Hastings, etc.

Each production of Shakespeare can be entirely different based on these interpretations. One actor even took the character of Tyrell, and changed his part into a modern day "ganster" persona. This was completely different than any interpretation of the part that I'd imagined while reading the play myself.

Othello Symposium

 

On Friday I attended the English Symposium! I saw on the schedule that there was a session about Othello and The Merchant of Venice, and I attended that session.

The three speakers had very interesting points regarding the plays and the issues that they addressed. Here is a brief list of the main points highlighted by the speakers:

1. Shakespeare creates 2 ideal feminine women in Othello and Merchant of Venice, but in process shows that these women (Portia with masculine traits, and Desdemona by being ideal and yet intelligent) are masculine in certain ways that make them ideal.

2.   Shakespeare blurs the line. He challenges audience to look at conception of what is good as far as genders go. 

3. Distortions that are taught to a person from childhood have a lasting effect on that individual. Othello was raised with the idea that women were unfaithful creatures, and even admits in the play that he knew he'd be subjected to infidelity. Iago wasn't the cause of the spiral of distrust, he merely facilitated what was already present in Othello's mind.
4. Pornography addiction is mirrored in the story of Othello and Desdemona. Pornography simply isolates body parts and turns a person into a thing. Othello tries to find answers in her body, rather than pursuing a companionate relationship. 

5. Women are in the same position as those who face racism in Shakespearean society, they are assigned a sense of “otherness,” and because of that have a lost sense of power. Ethnic oppression is echoed in female oppression.

6. In Merchant, Shakespeare allows woman to take masculine role and thereby have a happy ending. In Othello, Othello refuses to allow Desdemona to take the masculine role and ends up in tragedy and murder. Good becomes bad (Desdemona’s faithfulness) and bad good (Portia becomes a man). Shakespeare shows that a man NEEDS a female counterpart to be successful and whole.  

The insight that these English students had into Shakespeare's works was fascinating. While listening to their insight, my thesis began to form with regards to my own research project here in this blog. I am going to research and support the following statement: SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS HAVE HAD SUCH LASTING SUCCESS NOT MERELY BECAUSE OF THEIR BEAUTY AND INSIGHT INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION, BUT BECAUSE THEY RAISE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AND ADDRESSED. THESE ISSUES ARE STILL BEING LOOKED AT TODAY, AND SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS HAVE FACILITATED PUBLIC THOUGHT INTO SUCH DILEMMAS.

Play-in-a-Day!

 

This Saturday, the Grassroots Shakespeare Company is putting on a production of Richard III. I'd love it if you all came to watch! I think it will be a lot of fun. I am going to be acting in Act 3 Scene 2, and Act 5 Scene 1. If you'd like more information, you can go here and visit the website. But for just a quick run down:

Where: Dixon Middle School Auditorium
When: Saturday, March 26, 9-10 pm
What: Richard III!

Shakespearean song

 

So as I mentioned in my last post, I am beginning to brainstorm ideas for writing my song from the viewpoint of a character from one of Shakespeare's plays. I have a few ideas floating around, but I'd love to get some feedback from all of you before I begin writing. Do any of you have suggestions for character viewpoints I should use for this song? Topics I could write about? I'm open for all suggestions! Please, let them come! I'm going to start writing by Wednesday, so if I could get a good cache of ideas to work with by then it would be superb! Juliet? Hermione? Ophelia? Desdemona? Katherina? Romeo? Hamlet? Othello?

Recap of my Posts

 

I am at that place in my blogging experience where I am trying to hone in my focus a bit more. I feel that I am kind of unsure of where to go with my research, and when I sit down to try to blog I am unsure of what to study next. I did plan out my semester , and the idea I had was to study Shakespeare representation in popular culture. The problem with that focus is it is much too broad! I talked to some of my classmates in our small groups the other day, and David gave me the great idea of doing this post to see what I've already researched.

1. I've done some research into the historical context of the plays. I did  post about Renaissance music, covering how it sounds, what instruments are typical used, etc. I also researched typical marriage customs of Shakespeare's day, and how they were represented (whether well or poorly) in his plays.

2. I researched a little about the historical representation of Richard III, and whether or not he was as evil as the play construed him to be. I also was interested by how representation in popular culture can easily sway public opinion on a matter for many years to come.

3. I looked at the psychological effects of "being ugly"and the effect this label and ensuing treatment could possibly have upon a person's behavior, as well as how it was portrayed in Richard III. I drew connections between the Phantom from Phantom of the Opera and Richard III.

4. For some close read assignments, I have done a close read of a love sonnet as well as an analysis of Hermione's speech in Winter's Tale. I also read Prospero's speech and did a close read and historical research of how Prospero's character and sentiments may have lined up with Shakespeare's own feelings.

5. I looked at modern productions of Shakespeare's plays. First, I compared She's the Man and Twelfth Night. I looked at storyline changes, as well as character portrayal. I also looked at another modern and cultural setting for Shakespeare's Othello and how the different cultural perspective changed my experience of the story. Also just recently, I went and saw BYU's production of Much Ado About Nothing and compared the modern production of the play with how they would have performed it in the Globe Theater.

6. I did an interview with Fred Adams (courtesy of Cara), the head of the annual Shakespeare Festival. He had some really neat insight on the history behind Shakespeare, and talked about how politics of the time as well as laws and prejudices affected his plays. Mr. Adams also discussed how they go about putting on the productions so as to remain true to original form.

7. I found an article about Shakespearean popular culture and how Shakespeare's works and their acceptance has changed since they originally ran in the Globe Theater through today. It was interesting to see the demographic that enjoys the plays, and how both the demographic as well as media which is used as a vehicle has morphed.

8. Lastly, I participated in the flash mob that our class did at Provo towncenter. I looked at flashmobs as a popular culture phenomenon, and how they are used as a means of advertising and communication in our culture.

Some things I am CURRENTLY working on include:

1. I am beginning work on my Shakespeare song, as outlined in my course lesson plan (linked at the top of this post). Hopefully I can perform the finished product in class.

2. I found in the library a reference book on Shakespeare and how he's been used in every form of popular culture imaginable. If he's in something, this book will have it. This will certainly be very useful in my further research.

3. I'm working on a project with Brandon currently about musical representation and Shakespeare. We're trying to get the Battle of the Bands idea to pan out.

4. I am participating in the Grassroots Shakespeare's production of Richard III. I should be getting my lines today! I encourage everyone to attend the production on Saturday night!

5. I finally received my Looking for Richard dvd from netflix, and I'm planning on watching that movie in the next few days, so if anyone wants to see it with me, last call! Let me know!

6. I'm still planning involvement in Brooke's production of a scene from one of Shakespeare's plays.

That's a summary of what I have done and what I'm currently doing. I see a thread that I could possibly follow in how Shakespeare himself portrays certain issues in his plays, and how that translates to our productions today. I'd appreciate some feedback ladies and gentlemen. What do you think?

Much Ado About Nothing Pt 2

Referring back to my previous post, I enjoyed the BYU production of Much Ado About Nothing. There was a quick scare when I was informed I couldn't get in because they'd sold my seat, but all worked out. They found a seat and I managed to get in! Here are a few differences between the HFAC production and one held at the globe theater:

1. The BYU version of the play was set in the 1940s. The dress, hairstyles, as well as music were all from that time period. The dialogue was maintained the same in this production however. It was slightly odd to have the actors referring to swords when they didn't quite fit the period.


2. The actors were on the ground level. They were not on a stage performing, they were more in the crowd. That is a bit different than the stage that was employed by the actors who performed in the globe theater.

 

3. The props for the BYU production were very sparse. Since the production did not have a stage, they were not able to set up props and scenery. The scene transitions relied mainly upon change of characters. The few props that were used were carried out and replaced by a few stagehands in the dark. This is very different from the Globe which was known for its amazing special effects. According to this site, "Special effects at the Globe were also a spectacular addition at the theater allowing for smoke effects, the firing of a real canon, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes) and spectacular 'flying' entrances from the rigging in the 'heavens'" 

All in all however, this production stayed fairly true to Shakespeare's work. The story was unchanged in every other regard but time period, and the story still rang true even in a different setting. The fact that Shakespeare's plays can be taken and moved to a different time period, and yet retain the same power and story that they had originally is remarkable. It shows how well Shakespeare understood the human condition, and all of the struggles and joys that come with it.

Much Ado About Nothing

 

My focus has been narrowed down to how Shakespeare's works have influenced popular culture since written, as well as how we have taken and changed Shakespeare's works ourselves to fit our interests.

This Saturday I'm going to see the matinee showing of "Much Ado About Nothing". This is a modernized take on the story, and is set in a post-WWII stage. I intend to look at the following points while watching the production:

1. Has modernizing the story changed/added/detracted from any elements that Shakespeare originally included in the story?

2. How did the production crew go about changing it to a modern setting?

3. How would changing the setting to an even more modern setting further change the story line?

In preparation for the play, I will be going and reading the background on the original production of the play, as well as trying to read the original play prior to the viewing.

 I also researched some materials that I can use in my study of this topic and came across the book "Shakespeare and Modern Popular Culture" by Douglas Lanier. I think this would be a good book to read and apply to various popular renditions of the plays.

Flashmobs and Advertising

 

So, this past Saturday I participated in a flashmob at the Provo Town Centre! It was on my bucket list, so thanks Max and Whitney for helping me to check on off!

We did have a minor change of plans before we actually performed our flashmob. Originally it was to be performed at University Mall, but the venue had to be changed to Provo Town Centre due to some stuffy management over at University.

I started looking into Flashmobs and publicity stunts, and was really interested to find that they are no longer simply something done by a random group of people for fun. More and more businesses are latching onto the concept, and are meeting with success. According to this article, "passers-by... were more inclined to take the brochures and listen to the volunteers to find out more about the event."

A few big name companies that have taken part in the flashmob phenomena include Coca-Cola,  the Esplanade, and Singapore 2010 CAN!.

Flashmobs aren't miracle events,  "All it can hope to achieve is through word of mouth where people talk about the activities to their friends. As a marketing or promotional tool, it must be supported by other strategies to achieve its intended impact." But if pulled off right, a flashmob will certainly garner plenty of attention. Take a look at this T-mobile flashmob campaign:

So, University Mall, Joke is on you!

Looking for Richard

So, I was looking for popular culture items, and I stumbled upon a really interesting movie project. Apparently Al Pacino directed and starred in a film of Richard III. Here is a brief description according to rottentomatoes.com:


Moving from New York's streets to London's reconstructed Globe Theater, and talking with everyone from strangers encountered by chance to scholars and... "Moving from New York's streets to London's reconstructed Globe Theater, and talking with everyone from strangers encountered by chance to scholars and celebrated actors, Al Pacino serves as the voluble, mercurial center of a film that interweaves commentary on Shakespeare with analysis of, rehearsals for, and key segments from, a film version of Richard III."

I think this is a really interesting take on Shakespeare. According to Wikipedia,

"Looking for Richard is a 1996 documentary film and the first film directed by Al Pacino. It is both a performance of selected scenes of William Shakespeare's Richard III and a broader examination of Shakespeare's continuing role and relevance in popular culture.^"

^{Since my focus is Shakespeare and pop culture, I'm planning on getting this movie and watching it sometime this week. If anyone else is interested in joining me just let me know! We can all get together and watch!}

Ideas?

 

Ok so before I get to my main post, this is kind of a cry for help guys. I know Professor Burton wants us to focus our blog on one main thing (mine is pop culture and Shakespeare), but I'm not entirely sure as what I should be focusing all of this research towards. Do we need to write a full final blog post in the format of a research paper? And if so, does anyone have any ideas as to what I should be aiming my research towards? I'd appreciate any and all feedback! Thanks guys! :)

Close Read of a Sonnet!

 

CXVI

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come:

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

I love this sonnet. We read it in class for Valentine's Day, and I instantly fell in love with it. So I decided to make this my close read text. To start with, I looked up an article with tips on how to close read a text properly. In that text, there was basically a bit of an outline for how to look over this very sonnet. The article said to pay attention to a few key things:

1. form

2. rhyme scheme

3. repetition

4. metaphor

The first thing to note is the repetition of love, alters/alteration, and remover/remove. Since a sonnet is so short, the words chosen to be included in the sonnet are very important. The repetition causes the reader to stop and pay attention to the main themes of this sonnet. The next thing I noticed was the rhyme scheme. "Ever fixed mark" and "every wandering bark" are paired together in a rhyme scheme. Notice that they are both opposites. One is fixed, one is wandering, bringing a sense of contrast and comparison. "Rosy lips and cheeks" is paired with "brief hours and weeks", which conveys to the reader that fleeting things such as rosy lips and cheeks are only temporary, and if that is all that you base love on it will fade in "brief hours and weeks" as well. The next lines that are paired are "sickle's compass come" and  "edge of doom". Shakespeare is showing the reader that when time and age come to a "love that is not love", one that is based on "rosy lips and cheeks", doom comes to that relationship, and it ends. The use of metaphors such as tempests and the heavens suggest forces that are powerful and unalterable. Love, true love, is also such a force.

Literary Analysis of Hermione from "The Winter's Tale"

 

So in reading Hermione's defense in "The Winter's Tale", I have to say the woman was quite an educated and well-spoken individual. She plays upon various aspects in her defense, all of which are very successful (except, for not really in the play, because she "dies" anyway). To outline a few:

1. She admits she knows that claiming innocence will do her no good, since it requires that she contradict her husband and king.

2.She personifies things like "false accusation", "tyranny", and "patience". This makes these things more tangible and life-like.

3. She reminds the king to look upon her past actions as proof of her innocence. She has been faithful as queen and bedmate to her husband, the king.

4. She contrasts life and honor, and tells the king to essentially go ahead and take her life, but spare her honor. This is very effective, as an honorable woman wouldn't have an affair with her husband's childhood friend and then stick around to defend her reputation. "To me can life be no commodity."

5. She stays strong. She tells the king at one point that his threats are pointless and to spare her of them. That which he threatens her with is no threat to her, as she has already lost all that make her life worth living (his favor, her son, her daughter, and her reputation).

Hermione is a strong woman with a very tragic story. In my opinion, Shakespeare portrays Hermione as a stronger and more righteous character than any other in this story, and in doing so puts forward a very strong and intelligent female presence.

Shakespop?! - Shakespeare and Popular Culture

 

So for my scholarly article that I brought to class, I looked for something to do with pop culture and Shakespeare. That's actually the focus of my blog (I believe I made not of this quite a few posts ago actually) and I'm attempting to make a connection between Shakespeare and music, as well as movies, books, plays, and other digital mediations. 

The article I found was entitled"Introduction: Whither Shakespop? Taking Stock of Shakespeare in Pop Culture" by Elizabeth Abele. This article was really interesting to read. It highlights the many forms of pop culture that Shakespeare's works have taken. To quote the article, "From being a marker of highbrow elitist fare, Shakespeare has become a commodity and brand that producers and marketers can exploit."

The article is more of an overview of many other articles looking at different uses of Shakespeare in pop culture, and the effects these adaptations are having on the inherent meaning. One such question is "Does Shakespop represent an enhanced appreciation or has it merely bred contempt—and exploitation?"

There have been many spin-offs, from numerous modern plays, to movies as well known as "10 Things I Hate About You" and "West Side Story", to corporate training manuals such as "The Bard of Enron: From Shakespeare to Noir Humanism", to comic books.

The conclusion reached in the text is best summed up in this quote. "Hamlet nor Cahban can escape the narrative logics in which they are inscribed (1966,212)—but in the narratives of American texts that appropriate Hamlet, our favorite prince can and often does escape his inherited burdens."

This article has been a good springboard for me to look at other sources that try to study Shakespeare and pop culture. It has given me good overview, as well as other sources to utilize for more in-depth research into other angles and avenues!