2019 Reading: King Lear

#31 A book about a family

This is another one of those that I think I was supposed to read for one of my previous Shakespeare classes in the early days of college, but never actually absorbed anything of the story or the plot so I might as well have not read it in the first place.

After reading this, I am very eager to see the new version of this that just came out with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

2018 Reading: Twelfth Night

#20 A book with characters who are twins

Another Shakespeare play that I have seen many times and know the plot, but never actually read it.

I think the Fool is my favorite character for many reasons. He seems to be the one sane one in the bunch at times and knows exactly what to say to make the situation right, but at the same time, excuses himself from all responsibility by acting the ignorant drunkard. Therefore, no one expects anything of him but to sing occasionally.

It's a great story.

2018 Reading: The Merchant of Venice

#27 A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift

As with most Shakespeare, it is meant to be seen on the stage rather than read. One of things that I like to do is put faces to the names of the characters so that I can imagine who is speaking while I read the text. So I made a cheat sheet:

Antonio = Sam Walton (merchant, get it?)
Bassanio = Chris Hardwick (marries an heiress)
Portia = Lydia Hearst (heiress)
Shylock = Scrooge (miser)
Gratiano = Ryan Reynolds (hilarious)
Nerissa = Blake Lively (marries Gratiano)
Solanio & Salerio = Jedward (interchangeable and forgettable)
Lorenzo & Jessica = random instagram couple (sickeningly adorbs)
Duke of Venice = Judge Judy (harsh but fair judge)

After reading it, I can think of nothing more than seeing Ryan Reynolds doing Shakespeare... This needs to be a thing that happens, but he has to be a funny character. Maybe young Hal in Henry IV, or Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing... I could see him doing hilarious parts like those.

2016 Reading: The Tempest

#39 A book that takes place on an island

I was supposed to read this a few years ago for my Shakespeare Literature class, but I never did. I guess it just wasn't the right time for me. I watched the movie and gleaned everything I needed to know to pass the assignment from there so I didn't really worry about it.

For this challenge, I was going to read another Charles Dickens book and go with the whole "England is an island" thing, but after Oliver Twist, I decided I didn't want to read another of his books quite just yet. Maybe someday.

I don't know how some people say they don't understand Shakespeare. I guess I'm just used to it because I have read so much of it that the language doesn't bother me anymore. I have always loved Shakespeare. While this is a short and sweet play, it's not really one of my favorites. Everything ends too neatly for my taste. Everyone is happy in the end and that is just too easy for me.

2014 Reading: William Shakespeare's Star Wars

He turned... the womp rat story... into the St. Crispin's Day speech...





I'm gonna go ahead and say that again in case you didn't hear me.



HE TURNED...

...THE WOMP RAT STORY...

... INTO THE ST. CRISPIN'S DAY SPEECH...

I don't...

How...

What...