Everything's an Inspiration

I've always been a bathroom reader. This may be why I tend to come up with my best ideas while, um, you know. Anyways, I recently picked up for that most essential of rooms a trade paperback of the complete works of Shakespeare, because Chapters was practically throwing it at me. It would have cost more to rent two new releases at Blockbuster than to own every single play and sonnet. And Corey mentions every so often how great Shakespeare is, so I thought it was something he'd really enjoy. But, when I'm stuck in the bathroom with no other literature, no crossword, nothing, I've been turning to Shakespeare because hey, it was there, and I had nothing else to occupy my mind while my body does its thing. Pardon me, I need to go talk down the horde of British academics at my door calling for my head.

I must confess, I've become interested in the Bard myself as of late. Up 'til now I've read only four of his plays, for high school's sake - Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, and Hamlet, and only have fond memories of Hamlet. Plus, I remembered reading Shakespeare for being a lot of work, and reading shouldn't have to feel like work.

Turns out, the secret to reading Shakespeare without it being a struggle is to just watch some performers who know how to act it properly. Recently ending its presentation on TVO was a superb British documentary called "In Search of Shakespeare", written, presented, and hosted by historian Michael Wood, and featuring key locations, primary-source documents, and touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The entire documentary was extremely interesting, educational, and impressive - Mr. Wood was a fabulous host, and the British keep records like no one else - but probably the most useful thing I took away from the series was seeing snippets of the RSC performing Othello and Henry the VI part II. Hearing people who understand the stories and intent speak Shakespeare's words made everything perfectly clear and sensible, and now, as I work my way through his works in chronological order (I'm currently enjoying Henry the VI part 1), I read it hearing the phrasing and expressions demonstrated by the players of the RSC...and finally realize just how fantastic Shakespeare is. I never saw how great and interesting his work is.

So, if you've always felt Shakespeare to be more than a little inaccessible, the remedy is to be exposed to even five minutes of an actor who really knows what they're doing with the material, and poof! instant happiness! I should mention here that I have seen Kenneth Brannagh's Hamlet and found it very inaccessible - the Royal Shakesepeare Co.'s phrasing and delivery made much more sense to me. But Brannagh works for a lot of people, so see whatever clicks for you. Or just wait for TVO to repeat In Search of Shakespeare - it'll come back on eventually.

Me, I'm just happy because a whole new world has been opened to me, and I'm enjoying Henry the VI so very much.