Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Falling in love with Shakespeare

Upon discovering this affair I've gotten involved in, I can't help but laugh to myself. I have never imagined myself actually falling for his charms, even since my undergraduate days as a literature major.

He is in the Canon list and is one of the greatest literary writers in the world for his universal and transcendent themes. I pay credence to this quality in his works, yes but I don't really see the beauty in his language.

His language is indeed poetic and full of literary devices but the interpretative aspect of it befuddles me, especially when I have to teach it to students. Sometimes I go through a hellish inertia while preparing my lessons. If not for the footnotes supplied by critics, I don't think I could have progressed steadily. Shakespeare lovers maintain the richness of his language and I acknowledge this. However, it can be a drawback. Each line is rich in meaning but this means dissecting his plays is done at a snail's pace.

As I try to simplify Macbeth in my analysis, I have discovered that I have unconsciously fallen in love with Shakespeare's language in the process, to the extent that I can come up with my own Shakespearean-like phrasings. *Takes a bow*

So here's my own little version of Shakespearean language and unknowing tribute to Shakespeare. It is on the concept of sleep, which is mentioned in Macbeth.

'To sleep is to forestall feeling, to procure healing from woe
To rest is to lie in balmy waters, to drink from refreshing seas
Emotional stability thou art give, with thy physical suspension'

Please give me your interpretations of this little verse in my chat box as you read my blog entries. It would be interesting to peruse them. *Smile*

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