Universal Classics

When a book is called a "classic," one assumes that it defines its time and will forever be a work of true literature. But, when I think of Shakespeare I think, truly, that all his plays are greater than classics. They override time. They exist and make sense in a world completely different then they were originally intended for.
I have shown in previous blogs my enthusiasm for Shakespeare. When Professor Ambrose asked if it was possible that the films suggest Shakespeare is universal, I agreed completely. Each play has an underlying emotion: love, jealousy, or anger, that any person can understand. Perhaps, the fact that Shakespeare still manages to touch his audiences centuries after the original compositions is what causes him to be so universal. Shakespeare's plays have endless adaptions-in books, movies and plays. We modernize Shakespeare over and over again because of his ability to relate to anyone in different aspects of life. Shakespeare's plays are read or acted repeatedly but they never fail to please their audience or to dramatize the realities everyone faces. We appreciate the exaggerated drama that we know we will never fail to understand because all of the emotions expressed are human through and through.

Emotion Can Cause Quite a Commotion!

The purpose of this blog is to share with you how I feel about Shakespeare's writing. He touches on every human emotion: love, jealousy, hatred, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, etc. and although he exaggerates them he really does express how easily it is to be manipulated because of emotions. We are all weak when it comes to love. We are all susceptible to betrayal. We are closely bonded through friendship. We all envious of those we believe to have better things or that are better than us. And we are loyal to the ones we love. But, I believe, we can lose ourselves in these deep emotions. Iagos are all over the place. I suppose what I am trying to say is that Shakespeare's plays should serve as a model. A model, or a lesson, that shares how beautiful these emotions can be, but also how treacherous they can become. Avoid being Iago, avoid being Othello, and hold on to your sanity, because anyone can lose it.

My favorite Shakespeare play is undoubtedly "The Taming of the Shrew." I have read the play at least twenty times! Ever since middle school, when my mother handed me "Macbeth"--I was having trouble with essay writing so my mother would assign me work (it was an awful experience, but I can never thank her enough for teaching me to write)--I have been in love with Shakespeare's play. In fact, I own every single one now, thanks to this class! And now for something not quite as heavy...a clip from 10 Things I Hate About You (modeled after "The Taming of the Shrew") which by the way does quote the original play-if you watch the whole movie and listen closely you'll hear it! In fact, Katrina is referred to as the "shrew" on numerous occasions AND the character, Cameron, who is an adaptation of Lucentio says when he sees Bianca (as Bianca from the original play) "I burn, I pine, I perish" which Lucentio says in Act 1, Scene 1!

Iago: The Puppetmaster

Iago always seems to be doing the most evil when, to the other characters, he is doing good. He sabotages Cassio, then hesitates when having to inform Othello of what happened that lead to the stabbing of Montano. He puts on the appearance of "honesty," causing the surrounding characters to believe in his goodness. Iago manipulates the very meaning of honesty throughout the entire play. He convinces each person the unfaithfulness of Desdemona, the drunkardness of Cassio, and the humbleness of himself. The unfortunate thing is: all of his honesty is just a mask for deception. It is sad that the characters trust so much in one person that only uses them for his own benefit. Iago is truly evil, through and through, because he allows emotions such as jealousy and rage overtake him. I wonder what Iago would have been like if he was born into a better home with higher class or if he had been born a Moor. Would he have been just as manipulative? And why do the other characters believe so much in him? Was he ever the honest person they all believe him to be? He must have been honest for many years before in order for everyone to be so convinced in his goodness. Iago hatches the most evil plan with success, proving that the most evil people really can win. So, what does this say about honesty? What does it say about appearances? Apparently, anyone can be fooled. I cannot help but admit that Iago is clever in his plan and although I could never like his character, I cannot deny I admire his ability to trick the characters within the play. He manipulates them so it appears that they are acting on their own free will.