Introduction...

[eleanoranne.livejournal.com]

Hi! I just joined the community. My name is Eleanor, and I graduated from college last December, with a double major in History and Dramatic Literature. This fall I'll hopefully be applying to grad schools, with the eventual goal of getting a PhD in some Theatre Studies/Theatre History/Dramatic Literature type program. Of course, that depends on me figuring out where to apply, so if anyone has any insight there, it'd be welcome.

I've always loved Shakespeare (well... since I was 10 or so, but that seems like always), and given my interest in history (particularly British history) I guess it's not very surprising that I especially love the history plays. My favorite has got to be Henry IV Part 1. Aside from the fact that I love it in general, it was the first one I ever saw (an amazing production at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival back when I was in high school). Ever since that production, I've had a massive crush on Hal. I also can't stand Falstaff, which means Harold Bloom thinks I have no soul ; ). Richard II is probably my second favorite, although many others are up there. Other than that, the most interesting thing about me as a Shakespeare fan is probably that I don't actually like Hamlet all that much. Especially not when compared to some of the other tragedies. Non-history plays I DO really like, however, include King Lear, The Tempest, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Winter's Tale.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to being a member of this community, and sharing in the geekery!

Comments

[lareinenoire.livejournal.com]

Other than that, the most interesting thing about me as a Shakespeare fan is probably that I don't actually like Hamlet all that much.

I like Othello far better than Hamlet. While I can appreciate the latter as a good piece of theatre, if I had the choice between seeing it and seeing Othello or Richard III, I'd probably take either of the other two. Part of that may well be from overexposure as well--we academics are somewhat trained to view Hamlet as the pinnacle of literature.

[eleanoranne.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think you're absolutely right. Hamlet is definitely good theatre, but I just don't get excited about it in the way that I do about some of Shakespeare's other plays. Also, I reached it pretty late in my Shakespeare career, and by that time I'd heard so much about how brilliant it is, and how it defines what it means to be human, or something like that. That's an awful lot for any play to live up to, and so (although I think it's a very good play), I always feel like I should be enjoying it on some super deep level that I just can't get to. *shrugs* oh well. There are still plenty of other plays for me to enjoy!

[kerrypolka.livejournal.com]

*pumps fists*

OSF! OSF!

Hi, I'm Roz, I live in Ashland, and I'm a big honking Oregon Shakespeare Festival groupie. (In fact, I even have an OSF memories category. Eep.)

My major's dramaturgy, and I'm going through the same "...grad school? willikers?" sifting-through, and, and, and. Yeah.

I'm friending you now, by the way. :)

[eleanoranne.livejournal.com]

Yay OSF icon! I've been going up there every summer since I was 10 or so... Amazing stuff. And you're lucky enough to live there!!!

Sounds like we've got a lot in common (especially skimming over you interest list). I've friended you back!

[angevin2.livejournal.com]

I also can't stand Falstaff

*gasps*

*points*

*opens and closes mouth several times*

I am shocked. SHOCKED.

I suppose somebody who has an icon of Sam West as Richard II can't be completely soulless. But STILL!

[eleanoranne.livejournal.com]

Yeah... that was kind of the reaction I got when I made that announcement in my college Shakespeare class. I don't think the professor ever forgave me. Even Kevin Kline (who I really really like) couldn't bring me around to liking Falstaff.

And I think you'd have to be not only soulless but dead not to see the appeal of Sam West... especially as Richard II (I've only ever seen the pictures of it, but I imagine he was brilliant).

[angevin2.livejournal.com]

Okay, so I forgive you your unfortunate opinions on Falstaff, because Sam West is fabulous :D I too wish I'd seen that production; everything I've read about it indicates that it was brilliant indeed.

There is, however, a radio version (well, "version" isn't quite right, because the cast is different) the BBC did a few years ago; it's readily available though you have to get it through amazon.co.uk. Sam writes in Players of Shakespeare 6 that in the radio version his Richard II was less snarky and more weepy than he was in the stage version, but it's an excellent recording. (Sadly Damian Lewis' Bolingbroke doesn't work for me, unless I view the production through slash goggles. ;) )

[eleanoranne.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely check it out!