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hp_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I had never read this Shakespeare before. The only reason I was reading it now is because I wanted to do a monologue from it, but I promised myself to never do a piece from something I hadn't read. So here we are. All that to say....
I really liked this play! I love when I can hear distinct characters, see the scenes, and have the immediate desire to want to act them out. Plays are meant to be seen so when one comes to life as I read it on the first go I know it's something fun. That being said, it is not without its faults. Like any Shakespeare, characters fall in and out of love and are betrayed at an alarming rate, and in a "comedy" such as this, the resolution is generally a pleasant one. But that kind of story is what people wanted in 1592, or at least, that's what Shakespeare thought they wanted as it is widely believed that this is his first play. However, it is up to us as artists to recognize this difference of time and culture and provide a staging and interpretation that acknowledges this and rounds out the story and characters to entertain a modern audience.
I really liked this play! I love when I can hear distinct characters, see the scenes, and have the immediate desire to want to act them out. Plays are meant to be seen so when one comes to life as I read it on the first go I know it's something fun. That being said, it is not without its faults. Like any Shakespeare, characters fall in and out of love and are betrayed at an alarming rate, and in a "comedy" such as this, the resolution is generally a pleasant one. But that kind of story is what people wanted in 1592, or at least, that's what Shakespeare thought they wanted as it is widely believed that this is his first play. However, it is up to us as artists to recognize this difference of time and culture and provide a staging and interpretation that acknowledges this and rounds out the story and characters to entertain a modern audience.
empodiddly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
migs_rae's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
andrew_j_r's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t get this play. It’s all fine until the final scene and then it all flies apart. I know it’s supposed to be a comedy rather than a tragedy but the final scene is quite tragic in the way it relates to reality. I don’t buy that at the start of the final scene Julia sees Proteus about to rape Silvia but by the end of the scene is back in love with him.
So my score for the book here does not just reflect the play (it wouldn’t have been a two or perhaps less based purely in that) but it us elevated by the interesting background material by Roger Warren, thankfully I had read this before I launched into the play, so forewarned was forearmed as it were.
So my score for the book here does not just reflect the play (it wouldn’t have been a two or perhaps less based purely in that) but it us elevated by the interesting background material by Roger Warren, thankfully I had read this before I launched into the play, so forewarned was forearmed as it were.
bjayfogg's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
geliopoulos's review against another edition
3.0
i had to rate this higher than the tempest but mostly it just makes me reconsider my rating for the tempest
booksofgayle's review against another edition
2.75
new faves for the will-shakes list:
Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning, And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd.
You, minion, are too saucy.
And I as rich in having such a jewel As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl, The water nectar, and the rocks pure gold.
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey And kill the bees that yield it with your stings!
What an ass art thou! I understand thee not. // Why, thou whoreson ass, thou mistak'st me.
I rather would entreat thy company To see the wonders of the world abroad, Than, living dully sluggardiz'd at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness.
plot progression was kinda shit tho ngl, expected comedy & got 1590s love island with shrugged-off rape culture. bruh🤡
karinlib's review against another edition
2.0
This was ok. I didn't really like the ending at all, which affected the way I feel about the play as a whole.
Apparently there is some debate as to whether this play is Shakespeare's first play. The list I have of Shakespeare's chronological order, puts this as the third. These early plays are definitely not as good as the later ones to me.
Apparently there is some debate as to whether this play is Shakespeare's first play. The list I have of Shakespeare's chronological order, puts this as the third. These early plays are definitely not as good as the later ones to me.
friendofmarlowe's review against another edition
1.0
edit on 3/21/21: lowered review to one star.... :|
hey. will. i know this is an early one. maybe even the earliest. but. why? the whiplash of going from hamlet to this. i really need to read a good comedy soon.
hey. will. i know this is an early one. maybe even the earliest. but. why? the whiplash of going from hamlet to this. i really need to read a good comedy soon.