You're Kyd (ing)

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.

odyssey

The question has been raised - Have you read all of Shakespeare?

Well, yes, I have - several times in fact. But it is my profession in a way.

Not that I haven't had great pleasure from doing so - even the poems. And I have returned to many of the works repeatedly.

I suspect I am now coming to the end of my "intellectual wanderings or quest": Certain signs in my body prompt expectations of mortality.

Siren like, the words call again.

I have decided, on a whim, to make a final pass through the complete works and have gone into preparation.

Keeping faith with the theatre, I am going to do the journey in performances. Of necessity they will be mainly on DVD - Romanian theatre is limited in live performances, and, as it is Shakespeare's words I want, limited there too.

I hope to get in a trip to The Globe - and possibly the RSC too.

I am fortunate to have the local British Library - they have nearly all the BBC Shakespeare for loan (although, irritatingly, someone has stolen Titus). And I have a selection of my own of the more popular.

Just to add spice, I have plumbed for an unusual (although quite logical) route: I am going to do it in the same order as written.

Now, I know this is a contentious issue - so I am following Stanley Wells and the Penguin Shakespeare Chronology. No objections accepted.

I hope not only to revisit old friends, but maybe get a couple of insights on the way - juxtaposing what was in the craftsman's mind as he worked.

Needless to say (so I will) I'll be blogging along the way.

A travel diary forsooth.