Meg and I are still reading Shakespeare and have decided that we are ready to read a play. How exciting!
Nicole: So we totally dropped the ball on our final sonnets a few weeks ago. Sonnet 116 is beautiful, romantic and gorgeous, but try as I might I couldn’t think of much else to say about it. Sonnet 11 had Bill moping along long the same lines of mortality, but then he roped potential offspring – or someone else’s potential offspring into it, and I just couldn’t really smell what he was cookin’. Meg?
Meg: I’m with you! After discussing sonnets at length the past few weeks, I felt my enthusiasm wane. Sonnet 116 is fantastic and something I’d love a handsome hipster to recite to me, possibly while standing in a city street, but I can’t contribute much beyond that.
Nicole: So we decided to move on. I mean do you understand everything that comes out of your man’s mouth? We went the tried and true, “Yes dear.” Even though we had no real clue about what he was babbling about in Sonnet 11, we decided we’re ready to read a play! What? We are! Tell ‘em what we are reading Meg.
Meg: Twelfth Night, one of William Shakespeare’s 14 comedies! It seems like my own education in all things related to the Bard was limited to the tragedies — teens killing themselves in the name of love; backstabbing best friends; ungrateful children and a king quickly disintegrated into madness. Heavy stuff. And we always hear about Shakespeare’s excellent turns of phrase and comedic timing, so now it’s time to really test that out.
Nicole: I’m along for the ride. I have almost no experience with Twelfth Night, even though I have seen a manga version floating around. (Don’t tell Meg, but I think that might be my version of the Cliff Notes!) We’re reading the Signet classic version and the plan is to discuss the First Act on or around April 2nd.
Have you read this or any of Shakespeare’s comedies? I’m not a big reader of comedy, so I am hoping that I will like this one.
Other reviews and posts:
What edition are you reading? One with great footnotes? I'm curious (and may be interested in eavesdropping!)
My recent post Book review: *The Girl Who Fell from the Sky* by Heidi W. Durrow
We are going to read the Signet Classic edition. I didn't know that it matter much which one, they all come with line numbers don't they? Eavesdrop, please!
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
Oh boy, this one takes me way back to the day. I was a senior in high school when I read Twelfth Night and that is about all I can remember about it! I look forward to your review/discussion which will hopefully job my memory!
There are many books where the title and some vague enjoyment are the only things that I can remember. I am so with you on that.
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
I don't have anything intelligent to say! So I'll just say- adorable badge
My recent post Sunday Salon: Do you fall for the hype?
That is all Meg's doing! Did you notice the earring that he's wearing? I love it!
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
girls girls npothing to say about sonnet 11?!
how about the fact that the first quatrain is written in feminine lines, the next masculine and the third half feminine and half masculine lines? feminine lines as you remember have 11 syllables instead of the masculine ten syllables.
oh yes sonnet 11 with lines 11 syllables long.! Also spoken to a femine personification of nature. mother nature. off spring. stamp them babies out beloved.
and if you want to hear it spoken by a handsome man listen up here:
sonnet.iloveshakespeare.com
My recent post NOTES ON SONNET SPEAKING
I have to go through it again with your comments in mind, but we just couldn't crack this one.
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
I loved Twelfth Night. I've read the play a couple of times and saw the movie (The version with Helena Bonham Carter). Just don't, for the love of all that is holy, watch She's the Man. Ick.
As much as I love Twelfth Night, though, Midsummer Night's Dream is my favorite comedy. Something about fairies and mistaken identities and asses' heads that just makes me giggle so much.
But, I'm still way partial to the tragedies.
I had no idea that She's the Man was a take off on that. I haven't seen it, nor was it in my plans, so now worries! I thought this might be the one with the cross dressing, but I am flying in the dark with this one and I hope I like it.
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
Very excited to get crackin'!
Should be an adventure!
My recent post Book review: ‘Scarlett Fever’ by Maureen Johnson
With us trying to figure out what is going on, you know it! I will be glad to read some nice prose after this one before we do it up again.
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
With us trying to figure out what is going on, you know it! I will be glad to read some nice prose after this one before we do it up again.
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
I took a class in college on Shakespeares Tragedies and one on his comedies. I loved both, but I adored the comedies class. We had a great prof! My favorites were As You Like it, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night. It is great fun. You should rent the movie (the one directed by Trevor Nunn), it is quite good too!
I hope you both enjoy it!
I might need to rent the movie. I wanted to see how much I understand on my own, but at the same time I worry that might be nothing. LOL
My recent post The Evolution of Shadows, Jason Quinn Malott – Book Review & Spotlight Series Tour
I love Twelfth Night! It's one of my favorite comedies, along with Midsummer Night's Dream. You're both going to have fun with this one!
My recent post Focus, Focus, Focus
I read Twelfth Night back in high school. I can safely say I don't remember any of it so I'm looking forward to reading your review!
My recent post The Kingmaking
Twelfth Night is my favorite! My husband even took me to see a production of it for my birthday when we first started dating, despite his complete disinterest in Shakespeare
Oh good, you'll have me all prepped for when they perform this at the Shakespeare on the Green Festival here this summer!
My recent post An Unfinished Score
I'm glad to see you're going to watch the movie. This stuff was made to be seen, not read!