Not content with Howling at the Moon (Barking, Barking!), I'm also dancing with the Hares; it is, after all, still March.
Resisting the temptation to just close the door and start, preparations go on.
The Sonnet issue is resolving itself - there are blocks of sonnets linked together that can be treated as a whole early in the journey - one fascinating little snippet is sonnet 94 being quoted in Edward III (which is dated early).
Today's teaser is what was he doing before he wrote?
- I'm dismissing teaching in Lancashire (I've lived there, I am a Lancashire Lad - I've taught there: I didn't become Shakespeare - ergo, neither did Shakespeare).
He was, of course, an actor - possibly with his wife's encouragement. (La loon, la loon.)
Therefore, he acted - what?
Well, chances are he did some Marlow (e-less) and Mr Kyd was popular 'on the block' too.
Right - need to at least read those two before I set out - and it's looking like The Spanish Tragedy gets the go-ahead (because it was on the shelf in the Library when I was there yesterday - and its on-line, and I like it so re-reading is not a problem).
Some of the best Marlow (e-less) was produced after the first Shakespeare - so, Tamburlaine the Great needs reading before I start, but Faustus after (?).
Damn map is glaring at me though - Holinshed's Chronicles (2nd edition) were published just before .... no, 'tain't a play, didn't act it. Might read bits at appropriate times.
Friday, March 28, 2008
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2 comments:
One of the reasons I like the Signet Classics editions of Shakespeare is that they go to a lot of trouble to print the most important source material of each of the plays. (How much trouble? How about an English translation of "Menaechmi" with "Comedy of Errors" and an annotated, modern spelling "Famous Victories" with the Henry IV plays?) They excerpt the relevant portions of Hollinshed and other chronicles where they come into it--which is, in all honesty, all the Hollinshed I've read or am like to.
They're also inexpensive and good to slip in a coat pocket, and are my favorite editions for reading Shakespeare in general (for real digging, I like the Arden, but the notes can get oppressive). I wonder if you can get them out there in the wilderness?
Things wash-up: And Amazon will deliver (but at a prohibitive postage rate).
I too like signet - in fact, the sonnets I use is Signet - originally owned by Sir Ian MacKellen (but therein lies a tale).
Gone right off Arden - too much detail for what I do with a play - although one of my original Complete read throughs was Arden.
For reading now I use the Penguin - similar pocketability and slightly larger print (needed now).
The internet, of course, is a life-saver.
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