Tag Archives: Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Themes: End of a Tragedy

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-themes-end-of-a-tragedy-6256117

While Shakespeare tragedies often kill off many of the relevant characters, those left behind to lead the way into the future are interesting too. Here is a discussion of three characters who are raised to power by the end of their respective tragedies: Lucius (Titus Andronicus), Malcolm (Macbeth), and Fortinbras (Hamlet).

And, with a much pithier statement on the end of tragedies than I could ever muster, here is TheGeekyBlonde’s Hamlet, which ends with her Fortinbras summing up how Shakespeare ends his tragedies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mHQ8te8Rfk

Shakespeare Speeches: Prince Hal

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-speeches-prince-hal-6251942

In “Henry IV Part I”, on my mind from the “Hollow Crown” airing its adaptation of the play last weekend, Prince Hal lays out his bizarre plan for ascending to kingship and respect. In this video, I discuss Prince Hal and his how he becomes Henry V, with a particular focus on the “I know you all” speech from the beginning of “Henry IV Part I”.

The link to the PBAB review is here: http://pursuedbyabear.net/pbab/1337/!

Shakespeare Speaks: Nature, Art, and Fortune

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-speaks-nature-art-and-fortune-6244570

Shakespeare uses these familiar words in often unfamiliar ways – what do “nature”, “art”, and “fortune” really mean, and how do they relate to each other? Episode 2 of Shakespeare Speaks digs into these questions!

Shakespeare Themes: Richard II Title Drama

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-themes-richard-ii-title-drama-6240358

In Shakespeare’s “Richard II,” on my mind due to the recent airing of “The Hollow Crown”‘s adaptation of the play, there are many moments where one character will critique another’s use of names or titles. “What did you just call me” seems to be a sentiment common to these moments, and there’s a very plot-relevant reason why, as I explore in this episode of “Shakespeare Themes”.

Beyond the Bard: The Spanish Tragedy

http://blip.tv/cassius614/beyond-the-bard-the-spanish-tragedy-6233120

I go beyond the bard to bring you a Shakespeare-era tragedy, “The Spanish Tragedy” by Thomas Kyd. This play heavily influenced “Titus Andronicus” and “Hamlet”, and is one heavy hitting revenge drama of epic proportions.

Major Character List, in case you want a cheat-sheet:
Hieronimo: Father to Horatio, Lord Marshal of Spain and protagonist
Lorenzo: Brother to Bel-imperia, nephew to the king of Spain and villain
Bel-imperia: Sister to Lorenzo, former lover of the deceased Andrea and now lover of Horatio, niece to the king of Spain, and our heroine

Horatio: Hieronimo’s son, murdered by Lorenzo, lover to Bel-imperia and friend to Andrea
Balthazar: Prince of Portugal, living in Spain since his capture in the war. Loves Bel-imperia, it is unrequited. Also a villain
Andrea: Died in the war, back to watch the mayhem. Friend of Horatio and former lover of Bel-imperia.

Pictures shown are of the Hyperion Shakespeare Company production of “The Spanish Tragedy” from 2010, which I had the pleasure of directing.
**Pictures by Annie McGrath, producer on the show.
For the rest of the show info: http://www.hyperionshakespeare.org/the-spanish-tragedy.html

Text of the play: http://www.elizabethanauthors.org/span1.htm
Youtube with Derek Jacobi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDuvqnsKXl8

Shakespeare Themes: Late Plays

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-themes-late-plays-6230823

I half-seriously talk through the late plays: Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Pericles, and Two Noble Kinsmen, and the themes that recur in them. What kind of world is Shakespeare going for here? This is a general overview, and more detail is forthcoming in later episodes.

Shakespeare’s Themes: Hamlet’s Truth Tests

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-themes-hamlet-s-truth-tests-6221101

Why does Hamlet confide in Horatio and not anyone else? Here’s my theory! Also, NYC’ers, here’s the company that performed the production of Hamlet that inspired me to re-examine this particular set of related moments in the play that add up to Hamlet and Horatio’s unique relationship. Take a peek, it’s a company very worth checking out. http://www.theshakespeareforum.org/

Shakespeare Speaks!

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-speaks-6160380

Shakespeare Speaks is the new language segment, which will largely be a Wednesday experience (yay fact-y day). I promise that this is the longest/wonkiest it will ever get, I just really wanted to get this out of the way. I promise the video is worth it for the credits’ song choice. Promise. And again, the language segment will get shorter/snappier/less-wonky over time, I just wanted to make this point quickly before getting into more bite-size issues. If you have any questions about Shakespeare that you’d like answered on the show, be sure to email me at Cassius614@gmail.com!

Shakespeare Answers: What About Fleance?

http://blip.tv/cassius614/shakespeare-answers-what-about-fleance-6155293

Cassius takes on the question of Fleance – why isn’t he in the finale of Macbeth? Should he be? Cassius doesn’t think so.

And as promised, a link to the Slings and Arrows season 2 theme – if you haven’t seen the show, just see this intro and try to resist this hilarious show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPpTR1hXekQ

Remember, if you have any questions about Shakespeare that you’d like answered on the site, let me know at Cassius614@gmail.com!