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  • Brian Stansell replied to the topic Shakespeare, Anyone? in the forum General Writing Discussions 4 years, 5 months ago

    I think it was either Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth.  Not sure which was first, but it was probably R&J since it was in high school.  Macbeth was very bloody, though not as bloody as Titus Andronicus.  Julius Caesar was probably the third one I read.
    I don’t remember much about The Tempest and Mid Summer Night’s Dream because I only read those once.
    I liked Henry V because it deals with complex issues of leadership and inspiration.  Next to Hamlet, Henry V is my favorite.  The St. Crispin’s Day speech is inspiring.  I can’t help but think of the Kenneth Brannagh of that one.  It also deals with the complexity of standing for virtue as a king over court friendship and favoritism.  Henry V has to hang one of his own friends for thievery.  The fealty of being a good king means making tough decisions for the good of the kingdom, rather than personal benefit.

    I guess then my favorites would be the histories.  I think we have had enough of tragedy lately, so I have little stomach for it.  Much Ado About Nothing was a good comedy and the reparte between Benedict and Beatrice is very good. I also like the bumbling ridiculousness of Dogberry. Michael Keaton plays that character particularly well in the film adaptation of Much Ado… (1993).  I have made it a point to read the play of every film adaptation I dare to watch.

    What about you?  Which others are your favorites of the six you’ve read?  Which genre do you prefer: Histories, Comedies, Tragedies or Romances?

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